Just One Week After His Second Election, President Abraham Lincoln Writes of a Loyal, Young Soldier Work: “I shall be very glad if this worthy discharged soldier can find suitable employment.”

An uncommon autograph showing Lincoln’s tender-heartedness and compassion, and his concern for the Boys of ’61 – the young soldiers of the Civil War

Richard A. Craig enlisted as a corporal in Battery H of the 1st New York Artillery on October 10, 1861. This battery was active throughout the Peninsular campaign in 1862, then was with the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Mine Run in 1863. In 1864, it was with Grant in his Overland Campaign, fighting in the Wilderness, at Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor. It participated in the siege of Petersburg and the actions there. The unit was discharged October 10, 1864, after three years service. Most of the men returned home and began a new, post-service life. However, Craig sought employment with the government, and thought his prospects would be promoted by recommendations from the top.

He first asked his captain, C. E. Mink, for a certification of his service. Mink’s letter, in camp near Petersburg, November 10, 1864, stated: “This is to certify that the Bearer, Richard A. Craig, has served as a soldier under my command in Battery H, 1st NY Light Artillery for three years and during that time he has always done his duty with zeal and faithfulness. He has been engaged in every battle and affair with his company and always discharged his duty faithfully. He is a good mechanic, loyal to his government and I feel confident that he will prove trustworthy in any capacity he may be employed.”

On the verso, Lt. Col. James A. Hall of the Maine Light Artillery, a more senior officer under whom he had served for a while, endorsed the recommendation on November 14th. He said, “I cheerfully concur in the within recommendation.This soldier served with Battery H, 1st NY Artillery under my command for several months and I believe him worthy of confidence and any favor that can be shown him.”

This paper was then brought to Lincoln, possibly by Craig himself. Lincoln responded with an Autograph endorsement signed, Washington, November 15, 1864. “I shall be very glad if this worthy discharged soldier can find suitable employment.”

“The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln” shows that, as President, he often exhibited concern about the welfare of others, and his empathy, caring, and compassion are how he is well remembered. And perhaps a few score times – maybe 40 -, he intervened to assist deserving people find employment. Many of these notes are in institutions such as Brown University Library, or their whereabouts unknown, so it is not possible to say how many remain in private hands. But it is safe to estimate that perhaps less than half of Lincoln’s interventions to assist in finding employment are in private hands, and this the only one we know of reaching the market in some time.

And nothing could better echo than this endorsement one of Lincoln’s most famous quotes – “Wanting to work is so rare a merit, that it should be encouraged.”