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Franklin County: W. Maxwell to Thaddeus Stevens, August 9, 1863

Summary:
Requests an appointment in the army for his son who had been honorably discharged after an injury.

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Thaddeus Stevens

Aug 9th 1863

Mercer Pa

Hon T Stevens
Dear Sir

Please excuse me for troubling you and my application must be my apology.

My son Capt Ralph Maxwell was elected Capt of Company F 57th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers on 16th Septr 1861 - and march with his company & Regt thro' the Peninsular campaign under M'Lellan was in all [unclear: those] battles also Bull Run under Pope & Fredericksburg under Burnside - after Burnside's second advance his limbs became ulcered & was unfit for duty for a long time

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and last spring was honorably discharged for disability - He has now got well & we have applied for a commifsion in the Regular army for him - There is on file in the War department a recommendation signed by all the members of the Senate of Pennsylvania & letters has been sent to the President by Col Campbell who commended the Regiment highly endorsing him and asking for a commifsion for him also by Govr Curtin- [unclear: Hon I lh Morehead, T Melleary A Myers Genl Howe - Hon John Covach, I W Wallace & W Stewart.]

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Will you do me the favor to use you influence with President & Secretary of War to urge the appointment of him to at least a [unclear: Lieutenary] in the Regular army. He is [unclear: brave] - a good soldier & well [illeg.] officer.

I should say to you, that on the first alarm of secession I took my stand in favor of the Union & the Government & know no party but the one in opposition to Rebellion and all the fault I have with the government is that they are not [illeg.] enough with the Rebels in the South & Coperheads in the North. If you have time please

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let me hear from you.

Yours with
respect

W. Maxwell