Sackets Harbor Postmaster Influence Used to Free Young, Wild Soldier from 50 Lashes; Congressman Asked to Appeal to President John Tyler

MADISON BARRACKS at Sackets Harbor, New York, was founded because of the area’s strategic importance and has served the nation in nearly every war since the War of 1812. It has been considered one of the best military posts and a key to America’s northern defense. In 1841, a young man, seemingly of great means, found himself on the wrong side of army officials and was locked up in the guard house there, awaiting a court martial and 50 lashes, after surrendering for having deserted. Anxious to secure his release, he pled his case to J. THOMAS ANGEL, an influential and wealthy official of Sackets Harbor. Angel helped to establish Sackets Harbor Bank in 1834. The young man claimed to be Harmar P. Denny, son of a congressman by the same name from Pennsylvania, although military officials refer to him as F. Shepard. Highly sympathetic to the young man’s case, Angel relates his story in an 8" x 10", 3 pp, ALS to Congressman HARMAR DENNY (1794-1852) of Pittsburgh. Angel noted that since the soldier was worth more than $5,000, he cannot be retained in military service against his will. He added, however, that he was not an attorney or familiar with the law. To assure that the letter was delivered to the congressman, Angel convinced ZENO ALLEN, postmaster of Sackets Harbor, to send the letter under his free frank, to his counterpart postmaster in Pennsylvania, hoping to assure its delivery to the Congressman. This underscores the influence that postmasters exercised between each other at the time. The letter contains two letters to the congressman, Angel’s long narrative describing the young man’s plight and a plea from Allen on the verso advocating for the young man. It also contains a note pleading with the postmaster on the address leaf to deliver or forward it to the congressman. Finally, a docket note from the congressman or his representative states how he handled the situation. Punctuation added for clarity. First, Angel’s explanation of the case to the congressman: "The only apology I have to make for thus introducing myself to you is the detail I am about to make. A few weeks ago, I became acquainted with a soldier in the garrison at this place. He was then in confinement in the guard house awaiting his trial for desertion. Soon after he had his trial & proceedings of the Court Martial was sent to Portland to Gen. Eustis for approval – about the time he sent for me. I called at the Guard House & he gave me the following account of himself. He told me his real name was Harmer P. Denny (he is called by the name of Shepherd) and that his Father was a man of wealth & influence, had been or was a member of Congress & lived in Alleghany Town opposite Pittsburgh, that his own mother was dead, that she left him a large estate in Boston, among other [things] was the ‘Burley House’ so called, that this father had given him many advantages at school & college, had once sent him to Europe with a tutor, that he went to Liverpool, London, then to France & Spain then home. He went into the state of Ohio, there got married & in Sept 1839 started for Boston & Cleveland, Ohio being beset was induced to enlist & did – from that place he came here & joined the 8th regt in Capt Bownel’s company, that company in the winter 39 & 40 were stationed at Ogdensburgh from which place he deserted & went to Boston & attended to his property & employed an agent & in Jan. last returned to this place & gave himself up as a deserter. He says that Capt. H. Clair Denny was his uncle (I was acquainted with Capt. Denny of the U.S. Army now resigned). He says he has been what we call a wild child or in other words has been reckless of consequences & now to date mourns his folly. On the recital of his parentage & situation I became interested in his case & immediately wrote General Eustis & got Judge Allen, the Post Master of this place to join me in requesting the Gen. if consistent to remit the penalty or if he could not, to have the infliction of punishment postpo.…