Annotation
[1] ADf, DLC-RTL. Presumably this letter was never completed or sent. General Stone's letter of February 15, 1864, states:
``As a soldier, I make to you my last appeal for justice. . . . It is now more than two years since I was suddenly taken from the command of one of the largest and finest divisions of the Army, and incarcerated in a prison set aside for traitors. . . .
``I remained in prison one hundred and eighty nine days, as true a soldier of the United States as remained in her armies. . . .
``I will not recal the frequent appeals which I made. . . . Appeals for appearance of accuser---appeals for statement of accusation---appeals for hearing---appeals for opportunity of service.
``It is sufficient that none were ever regarded. . . . I was discharged without ever having seen accusation or the name of an accuser. . . .
``After six months of imprisonment and nine months of forced inactivity. . . . I was suddenly ordered . . . to report for duty in the Department of the Gulf. . . .
``A new campaign is now about to open. It may be the last of many which I have had the fortune to participate in. It will perhaps be fortunate for all concerned that it should be so. . . .
``I respectfully ask, for the sake of the Service which I have loved and never dishonored, and for the sake of my name in history to be read by my descendants, that some act, some word, some order shall issue from the Executive which shall place my name clear of reproach, as I know it should be. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).
See Lincoln's communications to Hamlin, April 28, 1862, and to the Senate, May 1, 1862, supra. General Stone resigned from the army on September 13, 1864.