Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-24
A RoNtANCN oF THE WAR.

Sarah Emma EdmOns, Now Mrs. =. E. II.
SeelYe, Wishes the RemOvsl of the
Charge OF Desertion on Record Against
Her az a Private in the Second MiChi-
gan Infantry.
From the Nsto York Sen.
WASHINGTON, March 1S.-Among the
private measures, chiefly desertion cases,
which have recently received favorable
action by the House Committee, is one
for removing the charge Of desertion from
the record of Franklin Thompson, alias
Mrs. S. e. E. Seelye.
The testimony in this case showed that
Franklin Thompson enlisted in Company
4. Second Regiment Michigan Infantry
May %, 1861, at Detroit. was mustered in
for the term of three wears, and deserted
not quite two years later at Lebanon.
Ky, April %, 1868. He fought through
the first Bull Run, and afterward through
out the peninsular campaign. including
the seven days battles. Among the wit
nesses to his good soldiership was VIII
liam Shakespear, who, as Quartermaster-
General Of Michigan, has put this testi-
mOny on file:
81 was member OF Company X. Sec
ond Michigan Infantry, from its organiza-
ton until June, 1864; was well acquaint Il
with Frank Thompson of Company + of
the same reGiment; knew he was a strong,
healty and robust soldier, ever willing
and ready for duty. l never knew of sand
/ Frank Thompson being sick, except in
the spring of 1868, wnen he had chills.
The exposure during the peninsular cam
! paign, it is alleged, brought on malarial
| chils, and his application for furlough
! having been denied, the alternative was
| the hospital or absence without leave.
| He chose the latter, and the heretofore
willing, cheerful soldier, who up TO this
| time bad always responded at roll call
and Teveille, henceforJh was marked a
| deserter."
The Committee on Invalid Pensions
has added this testimony to the docu-
| ments in the case:
| "From the time of enlistmentup to that
date the current testimony Of both COM
rades and officers is unanimous and
| highly eulOgistlc of the character, con-
| duct, and meritorious services of said
soldier. For nearly two years he re-
NAMED with his regiment, sharing in all
lis tolls and privatiOns, marching and
| fighting In the various engagements in
which it participated from the first disas-
trOus battle at Bull Run and McClellan's
peninsular campaign, and ali through his
memorable seven days. fight across the
| peninsula to the James river. Through
| that ordeal, which taxed the endurance
and courage ri the strOn gest and bravest,
he passed without a murmur, never ali
sent from duty, Obeying all orders with
| intelligence and alacrity, his whole aim
and desire to render Jealous and efficient
| aid to the Union cause. With his regi-
ment he returned from the peninsula, and
| through subsequent movements OF the
army, in the spring of 1868, the Second
| Michigan Infantry was at Lebanon, Ky.
'That Franklin Thompson and Mrs.
Sarah e. II. Seelye are one and the same
person is established by abundance Of
proof, and beyond doubt. She submits
! a statement, under oath, setting forth
her history from the time OF her enlist
ment at Detroit to the present time, and
also the testimony of ten credible wit
nesses, men OF intelligence, boldng
| places OF high honor aud trust. who posi
lively swear she is the identical Frank
| Thompson who enlisted in Company F,
! Second Michigan Infantry, May %, 1861.
/ Her history from the time she left the
camp ar Lebanon to the close Of the war
| is mainly interesting and pertinent TO
! this report, as showing that though by
the rules Of war a deserteF, yet her course
| and conduct after shows the same zeal in
| the service OF her country in her proper
character as actuatad her when she first
dedicated herself to the cause which she
| felt To be the highest and nOblest that can
actuate man or woman.
ION leaving the regiment at Lebanon
she went to Oberlin, Ohio, and for about
a month retained her assumed character
as a Union soldier; but the disease which
she had contracted not readily yielding
she abandoned the idea Of rei0ining her
regiment and assumed her proper dress.
The several aiidaYits of Gen.
William Sbakespear, Col. William b.
McCreary, Lieut..COl. Schneider, Col.
Sylvester Larned, Capt. Damon stewart,
Capt. William r. M, rise, and Comrade
Milton 5. Benjamin all testify positively
as TO her identity with Frank Thompson,
and also to her Christian character and
good services while In the army."
1t would be interesting to know how
many women were regularly enlisted,
disguised in mems clothing, on the Union
and the Confederate side. That the civil
war had It's Mol Pitchers as well the
Revolutionary war is certain. 1t is
possible, also, that some we're slain In
battle whose sex was never made known,
and that some who served have never
disclosed the fact.