Letter from Sidney Clarke to U.S. President Andrew Johnson, July 18, 1865
File — Box: MS 014-5-01, Folder: MS 014-5-01-31
Identifier: MS 014- series MS 014-5- file MS 014-5-01-31
A letter asking the President to redeem the unjust dismissal of Col. Bowen from the service. This letter apparently accompanied the affidavits. The letter is signed by Sidney Clarke, U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas.
Digital Collections - FHSU Scholars Repository – Digitized Copies of Materials
Transcription:
Lawrence, Kansas, July 18, 1865
To the President: I desire to call your special attention to the monstrous injustice committed against one of the ablest, bravest and best of Kansas soldiers, Col. Thomas M. Bowen, 13th Kansas Vols, Brevet Brig General, by a recommendation of the War Dept. dismissing him from the service of the United States. As I am unable to visit Washington at this time to ask you personally to redeem this great wrong done to General Bowen. I earnestly ask you to give to him a full hearing, and allow him as I know he is able to do, refute the charges instigated against him by malicious persons, and no harm against him shown against the War Dept., in securing the issuance of this unjust order.
The accompanying papers and affidavits fully show that General Bowen is wholly free from any act or intention to defame any person, or to shield any person in doing wrong. I have fully investigated the case aside from the facts shown by this written proof and I hesitate not to say that General Bowen has a record of public service, of patriotism and dedication to decency as a soldier, and of honesty and integrity as a man, of which any man in or out of the army, might well be found. I ask that this unjust order may not only be revoked, but that it be revoked in a manner that will wipe out the great wrong committed.
General Bowens service in his country for the last four years, his being on the battlefield and his ability and high character as an officer and citizen, entitles him to such a recompensation at your hands, as will repair the injury done him. I cordially and earnestly recommend him for promotion to the rank of Brig Maj general before being honorably mustered out of this service.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Sidney Clarke, M. C.
Digital Collections - FHSU Scholars Repository – Digitized Copies of Materials
Transcription:
Lawrence, Kansas, July 18, 1865
To the President: I desire to call your special attention to the monstrous injustice committed against one of the ablest, bravest and best of Kansas soldiers, Col. Thomas M. Bowen, 13th Kansas Vols, Brevet Brig General, by a recommendation of the War Dept. dismissing him from the service of the United States. As I am unable to visit Washington at this time to ask you personally to redeem this great wrong done to General Bowen. I earnestly ask you to give to him a full hearing, and allow him as I know he is able to do, refute the charges instigated against him by malicious persons, and no harm against him shown against the War Dept., in securing the issuance of this unjust order.
The accompanying papers and affidavits fully show that General Bowen is wholly free from any act or intention to defame any person, or to shield any person in doing wrong. I have fully investigated the case aside from the facts shown by this written proof and I hesitate not to say that General Bowen has a record of public service, of patriotism and dedication to decency as a soldier, and of honesty and integrity as a man, of which any man in or out of the army, might well be found. I ask that this unjust order may not only be revoked, but that it be revoked in a manner that will wipe out the great wrong committed.
General Bowens service in his country for the last four years, his being on the battlefield and his ability and high character as an officer and citizen, entitles him to such a recompensation at your hands, as will repair the injury done him. I cordially and earnestly recommend him for promotion to the rank of Brig Maj general before being honorably mustered out of this service.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Sidney Clarke, M. C.
Dates
- July 18, 1865
Extent
From the Collection: 10 Cubic Feet
Creator
- From the Collection: Johnson, Timothy (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Fort Hays State University Special Collections Repository