Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes, with permission from their copyright holder. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission.
Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln6
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln6. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2024.

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[1] ALS, RPB. On June 11, 1863, Montgomery Blair enclosed a letter from Harrison Blanton, Frankfort, Kentucky, June 8, requesting mitigation of the sentence of William Waller, whom Blair described as ``a kinsman of my mothers . . . & of my fathers,''and added ``I can not imagine that he would do any thing deserving other punishment than ordinary rebels. . . . I hope you will order his execution to be suspended till the case can be looked into.'' (DLC-RTL).

William Waller had been convicted as a spy and sentenced to be hanged. The court recommended clemency, and Burnside telegraphed LINCOLN on June 27, recommending commutation to imprisonment for duration of the war. On June 30 LINCOLN endorsed Burnside's telegram, ``Let the sentence be commuted as Gen. Burnside recommends. The name is Willie Waller. A. LINCOLN.'' (DNA WR RG 153, Judge Advocate General, MM 315).