President Abraham Lincoln signed letter to Major General George Meade

Abraham Lincoln writes to Major General George G. Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac at the time. “Major General Meade Army of the Potomac: I am appealed to on behalf of John Murphy, to be shot tomorrow. His mother says he is but seventeen. Please answer, A. Lincoln.”

George Meade was known for his belief that executing deserters was essential to maintaining discipline, and he resented Lincoln’s involvement in military matters. In this case, orders were issued on October 2, 1863, sentencing 17-year-old John Murphy to execution on October 9 for desertion.  Upon hearing of the sentence, John Murphy’s mother traveled to Washington to personally appeal to the President for clemency, and Lincoln responded positively.

On October 8, 1863, President Lincoln sent a letter to Major General George G. Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac, requesting a reply: “Please answer.” When no response came, on October 12, 1863, Lincoln wrote again, explicitly pardoning Murphy: “The father and mother of John Murphy of the 119th Pennsylvania Vols. have submitted affidavits confirming he was born June 22, 1846; three additional individuals have sworn to the circumstances of his birth, though they do not recall the exact day. I have, therefore, due to his age, decided to pardon him and leave it to you to decide whether to discharge him or retain him in service. A. Lincoln.” Receiving no reply from Meade once more, on October 15, Lincoln inquired, “Did you receive my dispatch of the 12th pardoning John Murphy?”

No response from Meade has been located, but Meade complied with the orders, and the execution was canceled. This letter from Lincoln ultimately spared John Murphy’s life.

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