Women and Military Issues
Document D
Telegram to Stephen G. Burbridge
Note: Please view the instructional video for additional context.
Essential Questions:
Does Lincoln act differently as Commander in Chief when family members are involved?
Essential Questions:
Does Lincoln act differently as Commander in Chief when family members are involved?
To Stephen G. Burbridge
Office U.S. Military Telegraph,
Major General Burbridge War Department,
Lexington, Ky. Washington, D.C., August 8.th. 1864.
Last December Mrs. Emily T. Helm, half-sister of Mrs. L. and widow of the rebel general Ben. Hardin Helm stopped here on her way from Georgia to Kentucky, and I gave her a paper, as I remember, to protect her against the mere fact of her being Gen. Helm's widow. I hear a rumor to-day that you recently sought to arrest her, but was prevented by her presenting the paper from me. I do not intend to protect her against the consequences of disloyal words or acts, spoken or done by her since her return to Kentucky, and if the paper given her by me can be construed to give her protection for such words or acts, it is hereby revoked pro tanto. Deal with her for current conduct, just as you would with any other.
A. LINCOLN
Office U.S. Military Telegraph,
Major General Burbridge War Department,
Lexington, Ky. Washington, D.C., August 8.th. 1864.
Last December Mrs. Emily T. Helm, half-sister of Mrs. L. and widow of the rebel general Ben. Hardin Helm stopped here on her way from Georgia to Kentucky, and I gave her a paper, as I remember, to protect her against the mere fact of her being Gen. Helm's widow. I hear a rumor to-day that you recently sought to arrest her, but was prevented by her presenting the paper from me. I do not intend to protect her against the consequences of disloyal words or acts, spoken or done by her since her return to Kentucky, and if the paper given her by me can be construed to give her protection for such words or acts, it is hereby revoked pro tanto. Deal with her for current conduct, just as you would with any other.
A. LINCOLN
Source: Abraham Lincoln to Steven Burbridge, August 8, 1864. in The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln: Volume 7. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/
Image Sources: Hardin Helm and Stephen Burbridge - The House Divided Project, http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/
Image Sources: Hardin Helm and Stephen Burbridge - The House Divided Project, http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/