FRANKLIN THOMPSON, ALIAS S.E.E. SEELYE

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 1172) to remove the charge of desertion from the record of Franklin Thompson, alias S.E.E. Seelye, have had the asame under consideration, and beg leave to make the following report:

This is a case of a female soldier who served for about two years as a private soldier in Company F, Second Michigan Infantry Volunteers, rendering good service in the ranks, in the hospital, and as mail carrier for the regiment and brigade.

Sarah E. E. Seelye (born Sarah E. Edmonds) was a native of New Brunswick, but at the outbreak of the civil war was a resident of Michigan, at or near Flint. When the call was made for troops, by a strange impulse she felt constrained to enter the service.

Assuming male attire, she became a privatte in Company F of Second Michigan Infantry, went with them to the front, and served faithfully until April, 1863, when she was taken sick at Lebanon, Ky., and being unable to obtain a furlough, and fearing the discovery of her sex, she absented herself without leave, and from that time was borne upon the rolls as a deserter.

We append hereto her own sworn statement as contained in her petition for relief. She says:

 
 
 
 
 

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Biography of Sarah Emma Evelyn Edmundson Seelye (1841-1898)