Letter from C.S. Leport to Abraham Lincoln, October 7, 1861
answd Oct 9th 18 hr [?], Recd. Oct 9--
Stanhope, New Jersey, October 7th 1861
To His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President US Honored Sir,
I have a Brother, who is now a Prisoner of War, captured at the battle of Bull Run, and is now confined at Richmond Va.
I learn from him that he is destitute of every comfort, without clothing and without any means to relieve himself. I have made several efforts to send him money, and to secure for him the friendly care of some one at Richmond. But, as yet, all my efforts have been unsuccessful. And I am grieved at the thought that one who has merited a better fate, is undergoing suffering that may produce the most melancholy results-- I am, therefore,
Letter from C.S. Leport to Abraham Lincoln, October 7, 1861
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induced to address you upon the subject, in the hope that some thing may be done to alleviate his sufferings.
His name is Andrew R. Leport. He was a private in US. 62 Regiment, N. York State Millitia. He entered the service out of purely patriotic motives -- through no necessity -- abandoning a comfortable home & business -- refusing any position but that of a soldier in the ranks. Regarding it as a duty to sacrifice himself in the defence of the Country. He has never known privation, and has always been accustomed to active pursuits -- his present condition must be quite intolerable --
I beg, therefore, that some means may be devised by which he may be made comfortable in his imprisonment.
You have my most hearty support in your administration of the Government and I only wish your success equal to your desire.
Your obedient Servant
C. S. Leport