To James Madison from James Mann, [ca. 8 February 1815]
From James Mann
[ca. 8 February 1815]
To his Excellency the President of the United States, or the heads of Departments at Washington.
This, may certify that Capt William Smith 1st. Rifle Regiment received on the 27th April 1813, at the capture of Little York, Upper Canada, a wound through the forearm, immediately above the wrist joint, which lacerated the tendons, and ligaments, in such a manner, as to deprive him of the use of his right hand, in consequence of which, he is unable to hold his sword, and employ it offensively or defensively against an enemy; he, therefore, has claim to a situation, in which his duties may be less arduous than those of the field, and wherein, his usefullness, as an officer of merit may not be lost to the nation.1
James Mann
Hospl Surgeo⟨n⟩
U S Army
RC, two copies (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Smyth”). Both copies undated. First RC enclosed in Smyth to James Monroe, 8 Feb. 1815; second RC enclosed in William Gaston to Monroe, 6 Mar. 1815 (ibid.).
1. Smyth’s 1814 correspondence with the War Department reveals that he had been assigned to the recruiting service, and that his request to continue in that capacity rather than serve on the line was granted after he asked for an interview with John Armstrong in June 1814 to demonstrate the disability resulting from his wound (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Smyth”). A note on the cover of his 1815 file indicates that he was recommended for retention in the peacetime army in March 1815; in June of that year he was nevertheless honorably discharged ( 1:906).