Richard Yates to C. P. Buckingham

Dec 18th [186]2.

Brig Gen C. P. Buckingham

Asst Adj't General U.S.A.

Washington City D.C.

My dear Sir:

Where recently at Washington I called upon you with Mrs Campbell of Philadelphia in relation to the case of Lieut Wm T. 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 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 Ob't Serv't

Richd Yates

Governor