Lincoln, Abraham. Autograph letter signed, to Major General George Meade, 12 September 1863

LINCOLN, ABRAHAM 

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("A. LINCOLN"), AS SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT, TO MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE H. MEADE, ATTEMPTING TO SAVE A SOLDIER UNDER THREAT OF EXECUTION FOR DESERTION

1 page (6 1/2 x 7 7/16 in.; 165 x 188 mm) on ruled paper, Washington, D.C., 12 September 1863, to Major General George H. Meade; edges trimmed, small tears expertly repaired, remnants of mounting on verso. In half blue morocco and marbled paper-covered board folding-case.

'The name is "Thomas Edds" not "Eddies" as in your dispatch.' Lincoln attempting to save a soldier from the firing squad

Edds was accused of falling out of ranks during the "Mud March," an offensive led by Union Army Major General Ambrose Burnside in January of 1863. Burnside had been attempting to capture Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital, by crossing the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg. Due to dissension and deception amongst the generals, along with unseasonably warm winter storms, the offensive ultimately failed. Brigadier Generals John Newton and John Cochrane had warned President Lincoln that the Army of the Potomac was in dire shape, and that attempting such a midwinter campaign would end in disaster. Convinced that the two officers were plotting to take their superior over⁠—behavior Lincoln was well-acquainted with⁠—the President dismissed their warnings, and the "Mud March" proved disastrous.  

"He only told me that Edds is in the Army of the Potomac," Lincoln wrote to Major General George H. Meade, "and that he fell out of the ranks during Burnside's Mud March last winter. If I get further information I will telegraph again." Major General Meade, nicknamed "Old Snapping Turtle," was notoriously tough on potential deserters, often seeking the maximum punishment, whereas Lincoln remained more compassionate in these cases.  

The life of Edds, a 21-year old private from New York, was ultimately spared.