Unknown to L. Thomas Buckingham

State of Illinois

Executive Department.

Springfield Dec. 18, 1862

Brig. Gen. L. Thomas Buckingham

Adjt. Genl

Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir.

When recently at Washington, I called upon you with Mrs Campbell of Philadelphia in relation to the case of Lieut Wm L. Godwin who upon representations of his Superior Officer was dismissed the service and I then solicited your kind intercession with Mr Stanton to have his disability removed so that he might be permitted to enter the volunteer service under appointment from Gov. Curtin or

myself. I shall not now attempt any refutation of the charges upon which he was dismissed. I only desire to say that upon my return through Philada, I called upon him and his parents, and found them all keenly suffering the disgrace of his dismissal. I also found him to be a very intelligent young man with officer-like bearing, and very superior qualifications, as I believe, for the service. And I hesitate not to say, that whether the charges referred to were true or false, that if the disability is removed, and he is again permitted to accept a position in the field, he will be

prompt in the discharge of every duty, and will acquit himself with credit to himself and the service.

Personally, I feel a most anxious solicitude that he may be relieved from this disgrace, and I shall feel very much indebted to you, if you will succeed in effecting it.

I have the honor to be,

Very Respectfully,

Your Obt. Sert.

For copy

(see letter Book)

Copy of letter written to Brig. Genl. Buckingham, Dec 19th, 1862.

Copies of Recd Miscells