An Extraordinary Example of President Abraham Lincoln’s Renowned Compassion and Empathy
He discharges a soldier so he could be with his dying father in Illinois
Very rare, as generally we find Lincoln discharging soldiers for wounds or because they were underage, not because of a family member’s illness
The 94th Illinois Infantry was mustered in in August 1862. It fought at the Battle of Prairie Grove, then took part in the Vicksburg campaign that led to that...
Very rare, as generally we find Lincoln discharging soldiers for wounds or because they were underage, not because of a family member’s illness
The 94th Illinois Infantry was mustered in in August 1862. It fought at the Battle of Prairie Grove, then took part in the Vicksburg campaign that led to that city’s surrender on July 4, 1863. One of the original enlistees in the unit was Benjamin Railsback, who was born in 1843. In January 1864, Railsback requested to be discharged because of the serious illness of his father, Thomas Railsback, and President Lincoln approved the request.
Autograph note signed, Washington, January 16, 1864. “Let Benjamin T. Railsback, named within, be discharged. A. Lincoln.” Railsback was mustered out on January 23, seven days later. This is the first Lincoln discharge because of a family member’s illness that we have ever had.
Unfortunately, Railsback’s father Thomas passed away May 24, 1864, in Tazewell, Illinois. Lincoln had spent a lot of time in Tazewell during his time riding the circuit as a lawyer, so one wonders if he knew the Railsback family. Benjamin died in 1903.
A fascinating memento of Lincoln’s kindness and empathy.
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