Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 8 [ Sept. 12, 1864-Apr. 14, 1865, undated, appendices].

Annotation

[1]   AES, IHi. Lincoln's endorsement is written on a letter from Robert B. Carnahan, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, October 28, 1864:

``Mrs Berington, who will hand you this note, is about to visit Washington for the purpose of having an interview with you, and to request the discharge of her husband Thomas Berington, recently drafted and now in service in the Army of the Potomac

``The case of Berington is a hard one. In August last he offered himself as a volunteer, and could have then obtained about $550.00 as bounty, but was rejected by physical disability. In September he was drafted and was accepted. He wished to volunteer to avoid the draft, but could not get into the service, and now he is drafted and cannot receive any bounty. I am a near neighbor of the family. They are highly respectable people, and the family is entirely dependent upon the fathers exertions for support. A wife and three young children the

oldest not more than 13 years old are left at home without support. Mr Berington is an excellent man of good habits. If consistent with the public service I would be much pleased if your Excellency would either discharge Mr Berington from the army or permit him to enlist and receive bounty. I cannot but think the case a very hard one.''