Nia's letter from Emma

Nia Haywood                                                       Mrs.Ortiz

Period:4                                                      Emma Edmonds Letter

Hi my name is Emma Edmonds, I served as a member of the union confederate army for two years under my alias Franklin Thompson. I have been notified that in the military I am listed as a deserter . In  my opinion I am not a deserter. I have crossed rebel lines, into enemy territory, saved lives, and disguised myself.

For any clarification my reason for requesting reinstatement is because in  my opinion I have done a lot for the people I love and I don't deserve to be named as a deserter. An accomplishment  of mine was disguising myself as a slave named Cuff. As Cuff, I risked my life numerous times to help my country. When I went behind rebel lines dressed like a slave I took notes stating artillery and earthworks and hid it in my shoe to bring back to General McCLellan. He personally thanked me for all service and contributions, he considered my contributions as important to the armed forces.

By May 26,1862 alias cuff a contraband slave was now a middle-aged irish peddler named Bridget O’shea. My new disguise, and cover story was carefully worked out. As Bridget O’shea i saved a young soldier’s life to me it didn't matter if he was an enemy or not it wasn't just my duty ,but it was my passion to help people. the young soldier had come down with Typhoid fever. After I took care of him and he ended up passing away I went on with my mission. I came upon the rebel union camp and met the general, he thanked me for taking care of one of his soldiers, he welcomed me into his camp. No one really noticed me they just went on with their business, so that was an advantage for me. I was able to collect some helpful information that I knew my commander would love.  

Charles Mayberry was my last masquerade. I was sent to kentucky not as a spy this time but as a detective. Louisville, Kentucky became the center of undercover activity around 1862, General Hooker wanted to stop all the leaks that were in Louisville, and thats where I came in. Hooker sent me to Louisville to figure out who was passing on information about them and to stop it. I met a man named P.N. Aylesworth; I knew he could take part in my plan. Later on i found out that Aylesworth & Company was a clearinghouse for undercover rebel activities. Aylesworth worked with a rebel named Hall, I lead Hall into a trap and returned secret documents he was going to give to rebels.

After all i had done to help my country, I had to leave in a way that I regret. Disguise after disguise, Cuff, Bridget , and Mayberry, I did it all for what I believed in and for what I love. I didnt want to leave and desert like the way I did, but I had no choice I had come down with Malaria and I just couldn’t go on like that. I knew if I got examined by the doctor my cover would be blew and all the things I did wouldn’t even matter to anyone anymore, but if I just left  (like I did) still no one would focus on what the accomplishments that I did. Until I found out that I was named an AWOL when I shouldn’t be, and then I decided to write this letter.

To officially state my argument, I have done a lot for my country and to me its just not fair to through that all away just because i left unannounced. I put myself out there, I risked my own life for my country and I don’t deserve the title deserter.