The following letter was written by Eliza Parmer of Pittsburgh to President Abraham Lincoln begging his mercy for the desertion of her youngest son, William Parmer of Co. C, 155th Pennsylvania. I can’t find a William Parmer in that company but I do see a William Henry Palmer (1845-1911) who enlisted on 22 August 1862 and was dishonorably discharged on 15 July 1865 from Dry Tortugas, Florida. This regiment was commanded by Capt. James Barclay Palmer (1838-1911) of Pittsburgh.

William Henry Palmer was the son of William Henry Palmer (1814-1864) and Eliza Victor Palmer (1812-1879) of Pittsburgh. In the 1860 US Census, this family was enumerated in Webster, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania under the name Parmer. Living in the household at that time were the parents, William and Eliza Parmer (both age 46), John Parmer (age 24), Alfred Parmer (age 20). Victor Parmer (age 18), William Parmer (age 15), Isaac N. Parmer (age 12), George Parmer (age 8), Alice Parmer (age 6), and Eliza Parmer (age 18).

The muster rolls indicate that William deserted on 4 May 1863 at Sharpsburg, Maryland; this letter was written some six weeks later.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Pittsburgh [Pennsylvania]
June 13, 1863

Mr. Abraham Lincoln,

I take the pleasure for the Preside of these United States to infom you about my son. He is sick and was sick before this month. I am most crazy about him. He is very young and is sick now. He got out of heart and tried to get home but he was caught in Washington and taken back. I hope you will have mercy on him—my poor boy—for my sake. I would like for him to come home so I can take care of him till he gets well again. Have mercy on him. I am an old woman and have no one to take care of me now since he is gone. He belongs to the One hundred 55th Pennsylvania, Company C—James Palmer’s Company. I hope you will write to the company if you please…[illegible]. — Eliza Parmer.

His name is William Parmer

I have four sons in the army and William is the youngest of the four and I think it is nothing more than right that I should have him home to be a helper to me in my old age. Yours with respect. — Mrs. Eliza Parmer

[Annotated on back of letter]

Mrs. Eliza Parmer. In behalf of her son, Wm. Parmer of Co. C, 155th Pa. Vol. who was arrested for desertion. Asks that he may be discharged.