Letter - Abraham Lincoln
Jun 23rd, 2007 by Bauman
“A compassionate President Lincoln revokes the dismissal of General McClellan’s aide-de-camp.”
Charles Frederick Havelock (1803-68) was a British Army officer who had served with distinction in India and Afghanistan before coming to America and volunteering his experience and expertise on behalf of the Union Army. On December 23, 1861, Lincoln nominated him to be aide-de-camp to Major General George McClellan, commanding the Army of the Potomac, with the rank of Colonel.
In April 1863, Col. Havelock was mustered out of the service, about which he wrote to Lincoln, who responded in writing to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton: “Hon. Sec. Of War: My Dear Sir: Col. Charles F. Havelock has been mustered out of our service, as I suppose, in strict accordance with law, and the routine of the Department. With an imperfect understanding of this, he is deeply mortified by us, whose cause, I think, he had made some sacrifices to try and serve. Considering who he is, how he came here, and the apparently abrupt, and, to Eurpoeans, unusual mode of his dismissal, I think the order of dismissal as to him, better be revoked - allowing him his pay. If a reason is asked, place it on the ground of my order. Yours truly, A. Lincoln.”
Havelock was reinstated, and this fine letter serves well as an exceptional example of Lincoln’s compassion as President. We are pleased to offer this letter, penned entirely by Lincoln and signed by him.