To Benjamin F. Butler2Open page
Fort-Monroe, Va Washington, April 12. 1864.
I am appealed to in behalf of Charles Crumblin [Crumpton] said to be under sentence of death, to be executed at Norfolk tomorrow. Please ascertain whether there is any ground for a pardon, or even a respite, and answer me. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, DNA WR RG 107, Presidential Telegrams, I, 28. Butler replied on the same day:
``Telegram received. In regard to the question of pardon or respite I send the extract from the General Order which approved the sentence to wit
`` `In the case of Private Charles Crumpton Co. G. 10th. regt New Hampshire Vols, it appearing that the accused enlisted as a substitute and recieved his bounty in payment therefor, then deliberately procured a rebel uniform with which to aid him in deserting and did desert from his regiment and was detected in the act, and when detected attempted to pass himself off as a rebel deserter, no excuse is left for his acts and indeed none is attempted to be given. He has been tried before a General Court Martial and upon satisfactory evidence although defended by counsel of his own selection he has been found guilty. The proceedings findings and sentence are therefore approved & confirmed.'
``I know nothing which can by possibility be urged in Crumptons favor except that he was defended by one Butts a lawyer who neglected his case, but I examined the record and came to the result above stated
``Large numbers of the New Hampshire substitutes have deserted from Yorktown yesterday and to day---some have gone to the enemy, some are lurking in swamps and some are attempting to get to Baltimore they are from the regiments lately at Point Lookout which I have had to remove from thence because I found them colluding with the prisoners and escaping. Three (3) having siezed a boat and carried off five (5) prisoners Those that we catch are being tried by Court Martial and I believe it will be necessary to execute quite a number of them.'' (DLC-Butler Papers).
See Lincoln to Butler, April 13, infra.