Sarah E. Henshaw to Richard Yates

Ottawa July 5th. 1864.

Hon Richard Yates -

Dear Sir -

The members of my husbands Battery sent me a Petition begging you to see justice done my husband, Capt E. C. Henshaw, who has been assailed by his Lieutenants & accused and Court Martialed. The Petition I mailed with my own hand to you on the 7th of May. Genl Fuller writes me that you never have received it. I have traced it to the Post Office at Springfield where it is recorded as having been received on the 9th of May.

This memorial bore the signatures of all the Sergeants but three, all the Corporals, and over one hundred of the privates. They conjure you to see justice done their Captain. They have been looking for a reply from you, and are disheartened

at receiving none. I am about making now another and a final effort to obtain your attention and care in this case.

My husband's Court Martial is concluded. The finding has not yet been sent to Genl Ammen Div. Com. for approval. There is a little time yet - time enough for a Telegram if you will send one to Gen Ammon.

Governor Yates, my husband has, in the opinion of his men, and his fellow Officers, and of gentlemen conversant with the case at Knoxville, entirely exonerated himself from charges which were in the first place frivolous and malicious.

But his Court Martial is composed of Ohio Officers who are, to begin with, greatly jealous of Illinois. Then he is not tried by his equals in rank, but the Court is composed of one Major, One Captain, and five Lieutenants- and the Judge Advocate has these Lieutenants and the Prest of the Court under his control

and has besides a personal reason for disliking my husband. Which is this. After the Morgan Raid last summer, Richard Morgan gave my husband in writing (which is now in my house) his favorite mare, saying that he "wanted a gentleman to ride her." My husband promised him to do all in his power to obtain her, and on returning through Louisville, tried to find her, failed, set a Provost Marshall to hunting her up - failed finally because an Ohio Infantry Officer had professed that Morgan had given the animal to him, and had taken her off. My husband of course expressed his opinion of the fraud and the untruth. That Ohio Infantry Officer got himself afterward transferred to the Artillery Service and is the Judge Advocate in the Court Martial which tries my husband, and the Prest of the Court, and the Lieutenants composing it are also officers in his regiment and under his influence.

My husband's men take his part with ardor. They are so distressed at being left by him, that they threaten desertion - mutiny- everything, and although he could come home to await the result he feels obliged to stay there

on their account. They feel as if they and their Captain were in the [toils?] of an enemy. The guns which my husband drew have been taken from them and given to an Ohio Battery. They turn their eyes to you for assistance --for a word of cheer and assurance that they shall have justice.

Governor Yates you are called the friend of the Solider. Over a hundred men are looking anxiously to you for simply -- justice. Is it wrong to ask that? They say they will reenlist for five years without a furlough if they can have their Captain -- if not they will get out of the service as soon as they can.

Now Governor Yates, can you, will you telegraph at once to Genl Ammon to look carefully before he decides - to examine the testimony before deciding. That is all anyone asks. But the time is short. There is not a moment to be lost. The finding was to go to Genl Ammon the early part of this month. O Governor Yates! Mr Bushnell assures me you are my husband's friend - everybody assures me you are my husband's friend - everybody calls you the friend of the soldier - how canyou let a fine Battery like that be destroyed by Ohio jealousy and private malice! Genl Ammon 4th Div - 23d A C - Knoxville Tenn -- that is his address - O telegraph to him to look carefully --

Forgive my importunity. Grace Greenwood told me how kind you are -- that emboldens me some, but more than this, I am rendered desperate by grief. My little boy, a lovely child of eight years was drowned three days ago - my husband cannot be with me to help me bear this calamity, but must stay to prevent his men growing desperate and mutinous. O Governor Yates - I walk my floor! - I wring my hands! -- see justice done! see justice done!

Respectfully sorrowfully Yours

Sarah E. Henshaw.

Genl Ammon's head Quarters - 4th Div 23d _ A. Corps _ Knoxville _ Tenn - that is the address. A telegraph to hm to look carefully before deciding.

Henshaw, Sarah E.

Ottawa, Ills.

July 5. 1864

Refers to a Petition from the member of Capt Henshaw's (her husband) battery, which She forwarded in May last, but still remains unheeded.

This Case is urgent and She earnestly asks attention.

Telegraphed to General Ammen that

" I believe Capt. Edwd C. Henshaw

" of Henshaw's battery Ills. Vols has

" been grossly slandered & mistreated

" in the charges and trial by Court

" Martial - I would respectfully

" ask you to carefully investigate

" the whole proceedings before deciding

" upon finding of the Court and tele-

" graph or write me the facts."

(signed) Richd Yates Governor"

Letter to Mrs Henshaw July 23' 64.

Loomis

A.D.C.

Mrs. Henshaw of her husbands’ Battery