Franklin County: Daniel Leedy to Edwin Stanton,
October 13, 1863
Summary:
Daniel Leedy requests Edwin Stanton's favorable help in releasing his son,
William Leedy, from Fort McHenry, where he had been imprisoned as a deserter. A.
K. McClure and Captain Elder endorse Daniel Leedy's letter.
Hon. Edwin Stanton
Oct. 13th, 1863
Chambersburg
Sir,
I beg leave respectfully to submit the following fact for your consideration
In the month of August 1862, the 126th regiment of the Pennsylvania volunteers was organized at Harrisburg. My Son, Wm. Leedy, was a member of company "H" in this regiment, at the time of enlistment he was not twenty-one years of age. He volunteered in Franklin County, but was not mustered until he reached Harrisburg; Franklin County, had given a bounty of $50 to volunteers. After my son, Wm. Leedy, had been mustered in, the Captain of his company, Capt. Elda, afterwards Colonel, refused to allow him his bounty for the reason that he was in his minority and for fear that he would subsequently be taken out of the service by his parents who were opposed to his enlisting, and he, the Capt., be held responsible for the amount of the bounty by Franklin County. Thinking that his disqualification on account of his minority would prevent him from receiving his pay as well as his bounty he returned home from Harrisburg, where he remained until the latter part of August last, when he was arrested and forwarded to Fort McHenry as a Deserter.
His regiment was mustered out of service in the month of May preceding. My Son is now confined to Fort McHenry and I respectfully submit in his behalf the facts stated as correct and true, at the same time asking your favorable consideration of his case.
I am Sir with sentiments of high regard
Your Obedient Servant
Daniel Leedy
Mr. Daniel Leedy is a respectable citizen of this County,
and an earnestly loyal man. His statements are worthy of entire
credit.
A.K. McClure
Chambersburg. Oct. 19, 1863
I
certify that the statements made by Daniel Leedy in regard to his Son is
correct and respectfully join in the request that his case be considered
favorably.
James G. Elder
Capt. Company H
afterwards Col.
126th Penna Vols.
