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Story
February 28, 1865
The Manchester Journal
Manchester, Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont
What is this article about?
In 1864, 13-year-old Rachel Holding writes to Major-Gen. Thomas requesting a furlough for her brother Robert S. Holding to come home for New Year's turkey dinner. Though late for the holiday, the general approves the furlough in 1865.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
How a Soldier Got a Furlough.
Headquarters 2d Brigade, 1st Div., 4th Army Corps,
Huntsville, Ala., Feb 2, 1865.
I herewith send you a copy of a letter, written by a little girl, thirteen years of age, to Major-Gen. Thomas, asking him to grant her brother 'Bobby' a furlough to come home on New Year's to eat a turkey with them. The letter has just been forwarded to these headquarters by the General, with the recommendation that blank furlough be filled out and sent up for approval. Here is the letter, it speaks for itself. I will give it just as it is:
Paris, Ill., Dec. 23, 1864
'Maj.-Gen. Thomas: Dear Sir—I am a little girl thirteen years old, and I have two brothers in the army, and my other one was in; so was my pa. My brother Bobby I have not seen for over two years, and O, I want to see him so bad. Now I want to ask a favor of you. It is to please let Robert S. Holding come home on a furlough to spend New Years. We have a big turkey, and we want him to have some of it, and I would like to give you a piece, but you are so far away. Robert S. Holding is now duty in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 4th Army Corps, Commissary Department.
O, General, please grant him a furlough.
Rachel Holding.'
The letter arrived too late to give 'Bobby' the privilege of having some of the turkey. But the furlough is a settled fact. This he will get.—The magnanimous heart of the General yields to the simple pleadings of the little girl.
Headquarters 2d Brigade, 1st Div., 4th Army Corps,
Huntsville, Ala., Feb 2, 1865.
I herewith send you a copy of a letter, written by a little girl, thirteen years of age, to Major-Gen. Thomas, asking him to grant her brother 'Bobby' a furlough to come home on New Year's to eat a turkey with them. The letter has just been forwarded to these headquarters by the General, with the recommendation that blank furlough be filled out and sent up for approval. Here is the letter, it speaks for itself. I will give it just as it is:
Paris, Ill., Dec. 23, 1864
'Maj.-Gen. Thomas: Dear Sir—I am a little girl thirteen years old, and I have two brothers in the army, and my other one was in; so was my pa. My brother Bobby I have not seen for over two years, and O, I want to see him so bad. Now I want to ask a favor of you. It is to please let Robert S. Holding come home on a furlough to spend New Years. We have a big turkey, and we want him to have some of it, and I would like to give you a piece, but you are so far away. Robert S. Holding is now duty in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 4th Army Corps, Commissary Department.
O, General, please grant him a furlough.
Rachel Holding.'
The letter arrived too late to give 'Bobby' the privilege of having some of the turkey. But the furlough is a settled fact. This he will get.—The magnanimous heart of the General yields to the simple pleadings of the little girl.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Family Drama
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Family
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
Furlough Request
Civil War Soldier
Family Letter
Child Plea
General Approval
What entities or persons were involved?
Rachel Holding
Robert S. Holding
Major Gen. Thomas
Where did it happen?
Paris, Ill.; Huntsville, Ala.
Story Details
Key Persons
Rachel Holding
Robert S. Holding
Major Gen. Thomas
Location
Paris, Ill.; Huntsville, Ala.
Event Date
Dec. 23, 1864; Feb. 2, 1865
Story Details
A 13-year-old girl pleads in a letter to Gen. Thomas for her brother Bobby's furlough to join the family for New Year's turkey; the general recommends and grants approval despite the late arrival.