Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Lincoln endorsement on autograph letter signed of David Davis]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.049 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Bloomington, Illinois Type: Autograph endorsement signed Date: 18 February 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Autograph letter dated 14, February 1865 and signed by David Davis addressed to a man named Stuart. Davis informs Stuart of the death of Isaac Funk, Funk's wife, and his brother Jesse. States that Isaac died without a will and left a large estate. Requests that a son of the Funks, also Isaac Funk, be discharged from the army in order to settle the estate. The son Isaac is a corporal in Company G, 146th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. Requests that Stuart see President Abraham Lincoln about this matter. Also informs that four of Isaac Funk's sons were ill with the same disease that killed Isaac, Erysipelas and Dyptheria but are now fine. Adds in postscript that a wound on his neck is still healing. Lincoln's endorsement reads, "Let Isaac Funk be discharged, as requested by Judge Davis." Stuart is possibly John Todd Stuart.
Judge David Davis, a close friend of Lincoln, later served as his estate administrator after the president's assassination. "Stuart" may have been John Todd Stuart. Erysipelas is an acute disease of the skin characterized by spreading inflamation.
Bloomington, Illi.
Febry. 14. 1865
Dear Stuart.
I wrote you of the death of Isaac Funk and wife. His brother Jesse died last week - Isaac Funk died without will, and has left an immense Estate - In order to settle it properly, it is necessary that all the children should be at home - The youngest son Isaac (named after his father) is a corporal in company G, 146th Regt of Illinois Volunteers. - The Capt of the company is E. F. Moulton, and this company is, and has been stationed, at Camp Butler - Headquarters of the regt is at Quincy in this state -. H. H. Dean is Colonel of the regiment.
I think the President, on an appeal made to him [2] under the circumstances attending Mr & Mrs Funk's death, and the necessity of [struck: his] [inserted: Isaac's] presence to settle up the Estate, would order his discharge -
You will greatly oblige all the friends of Mr. Funk, if you will see the President in person & get this accomplished. - Young Isaac Funk volunteered last August [struck: for] or September for one year -
Four of Mr Funk's Sons have been dangerously ill of the same disease with which the father died. (Erysipelas & Dyptheria combined) but are now pronounced out of danger -- Please write me the result of your interview with the Presdt - Yr friend
- D Davis -
[3] P.S. -
I have been [sic] abandoned all hope of getting to Washington this Winter -- My neck is not yet healed -- The main wound is cured, but a lateral fissure gives me trouble, and if cured, the [inserted: new] flesh is not sufficiently hardened to justify exposure.
A carbuncle I find defies the predictions of physicians, as to the period of its cure--
If Mrs Stuart is with you, please present her my most affectionate remembrance--
[4, Lincoln's endorsement]
Let Isaac Funk be discharged, as requested by Judge Davis.
A. Lincoln
Feb. 18, 1865
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