JULY 2006 PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S LETTER TO SECRETARY OF WAR EDWIN M. STANTON REGARDING THE PARDON OF PRIVATE ISAAC P. BAIRD Executive Mansion Washington, August 12, 1863 Hon. Sec. of War: Mrs. Baird tells me she is a widow, that her two sons, and only support, joined the army, where one of them still is, that her other son, Isaac P. Baird, is a private in the 72nd Penn. Vols. Baxter’s Fire Zouaves, Co. K; that he is now in prison at Fort [italicized phrase crossed out] under guard with his regiment, on a charge of desertion; that he was under arrest for desertion, so that he could not take the benefit of returning under the proclamation for [italicized word crossed out] on that subject – Please have it ascertained if this is correct., and if it is, let his [italicized word crossed out] him be discharged from arrest and go to duty – I think too, he should have his pay for duty actually performed. Loss of pay falls so hard upon poor families. Yours truly, A Lincoln