Liz Erickson Emma Edmonds Letter

Hello my name is Emma Edmonds. I have seen that a soldier named Franklin Thompson has been charged with a dishonorable discharge. I don't believe that soldier deserves that, especially because that soldier is me. I wanted to be a part of the force and help as much as I could. When I came to Richmond I cropped my hair and wore men's clothing. I first signed up as a male nurse but when the opportunity came I took it and became one of your spies. I had been in this disguise for two years and posed as a man named Franklin Thompson,  was behind rebel lines. Even though I was a women I still was able to help the army and now I have proved that. My journey was very dangerous but that didn't stop me, I had many different disguises and posed as many different people. These are some reasons why you should reinstate me.

On one of my missions I had disguised myself as a slave named Cuff. When I went to rebel camp i was put right to work. After working long hours and my hands were full of blisters I was allowed one hour to myself. I had wondered around picking up any information I could get. I had listed artillery and earthworks and hid it in my shoe. While everyone was asleep I snuck out and brought back the information to McClellan. He personally thanked me for my service, and told me how important my contributions were.(pg.50)

After all of my hard work from my last mission I was given another. Colonel Shrub had given me my new destination, I disguised myself as an old Irish peddler named Bridget O'Shea. I had a gold watch that a dying soldier gave me to give to a staff officer named McKee. I was let on the campus until McKee came to receive the watch. When he had finally came I gave him the watch but he was very upset by the news. I had started socializing with soldiers. One soldier told me that that they were hiding several heavy guns on the campus. When the Yankees came they would start an ambush right away. Instead of writing this information down I kept it to myself, so I wouldn't get caught. Also while I was there I took note of the number of cannons and their layout defenses. I headed back to camp and reported this to Colonel Shrub. I had taken a chestnut horse so I could proceed back to Colonel Shrub. When I got back he thanked me for my work and as a gift he let me keep the horse.(pg.80)

    Headquarters had been impressed with my spying and horse riding skills. They needed a messenger to get important information to the field officers coordinate their efforts and I was the perfect person for that. I had done my job well and I was recognized for that. Because of my great work and efforts I was given a two-week furlough to rest and to take care of my arm because while I was serving my duties I was shot in the arm and unfortunately so was my horse. I was able to hitch a ride on a supply wagon that was heading to Williamsburg. When I got to the city I toured it, but after a while I got bored and volunteered as a nurse at the city's two hospitals. The two hospitals cared for Union soldiers and Confederate soldiers. I saw no difference in their needs and divided my work time between the two hospitals. My arm was healed after my two week furlough so I returned to camp just in time for the final battle of Richmond.(pg.91)

During my times in battles and disguises I went through much pain. It wasn't that easy especially because I was a women, I could not seek any medical attention from the hospitals because I could not let anyone figure out my secret. My ailments were very painful, but that never stopped me from doing what I wanted, playing a part in the great war effort. I faced fear many times and I was ready to face it again. Nothing was impossible for me. I tried my hardest, probably harder than most of those men and I am going to get recognized for that in a good way. I left because I had too I couldn't let you figure out that I was a women but know it doesn't matter because I helped our army and  deserve a good word. Please reconsider reinstating my dishonorable discharge. Thank You.

                     Sincerely, Emma Edmonds