Memorandum
Concerning Thomas Worthington1Jump to section
Today I verbally told Colonel Worthington that I did not think him fit for a Colonel; and now, upon his urgent request, I put it in writing. A. LINCOLN.
Annotation
[1] Copy, IHi. See Lincoln to Worthington, infra. Colonel Thomas Worthington of the Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry is listed as having resigned on November 21, 1862, but from his letter to Lincoln, April 12, 1864, it seems obvious that he was dismissed: ``On full consideration I have declined urging on Gen Schenck, the responsibility of my possible return to the service. . . . I will never reenter the Army while that terrible and degrading law under which I have had no official notice of being dismissed continues to disgrace the statute book. . . .
``I saw something of its operation at Memphis . . . where a General . . . scarcely ever clear of liquor staggered into his court room to decide on the cases of men better and abler than himself. . . .
``When however, the last section of the law of July 17th 1862 Chap 200---is repealed, and Judge Holt & Gen Halleck . . . are also, in their proper places, if the war should still be on hand I may possibly request a removal of that disability under which by their advice and initiation, I must for the present remain, hoping for better luck next time. With a very respectful request that this document may be referred to either or both of these distinguished `Field Officers'. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).