Sarah E. Henshaw to Richard Yates

Ottawa oct. 22nd 1864.

Hon Richard Yates,

My dear sir,

I have written you so many lugubrious letters, that I feel assured you will read with satisfaction one of the opposite type. And I know you will feel glad when I tell you that my husband is acquitted; and not only acquitted but vindicated; and not only vindicated but handsomely complimented.

A copy of the decision of the Judge Advocate General of the Department of the Ohio has been sent to me by Major Cumback, to relieve my mind of any further anxiety, he being a friend of my husband: as well as of the Judge Advocate. Of course it will take some time to hear from it at Knoxville whence it has to be promulgated. Meanwhile I and all our friends are rejoicing.

The decision reaffirms all that you have so kindly said of my husband. It states that he has done nothing worthy of an adverse finding - that he has managed his Company affairs with as much or more ability than the vast majority of officers - that in all the long list of charges nothing has been proved against him - that it is clear that his accusers had their own advancement in view, rather than the good of the Service in their effort to remove him - and that in restoring him to Command, is given back to the Service, "An Officer who has proved himself a gallant one on may a hard-fought field."

My husband is now at home, having been permitted to come and await the result. We will look for orders to return at any time after the beginning of next month, possibly not until after the Election. He

joins with me in warmest acknowledgments to you, my dear Sir, for your generous faith in him, for your warm friendship to him, and for your untiring exertions on his behalf. Your powerful interposition has been our stay and our consolation through many a dark and weary day, now happily over. And may God bless you, will always be the aspiration of

Yours gratefully and respectfully

Sarah E. Henshaw.

Sarah E. Henshaw

Ottowa Oct. 22d 1864

Informs Govn of her husbands release from court martials & of her rejoicing over the same

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