Abraham Lincoln to William H. Young, 28 August 18481
Washington, Aug: 28 1848W. H. Young:Dear Sir:Your letter enquiring after land warrants has been received, and I have left it with
the Commissioner of Pensions, with a special request, in writing that he attend to it, and write you–2 You will hear from him before long–
As to the three months extra pay; Pay-masters are to go round and pay it to the volunteers
in their respective vicinities– Advertisements will go in advance of them, and no
forms are necessary, as I understand it–3
Yours trulyA Lincoln2William H. Young’s letter to Lincoln has not been located. Lincoln’s letter to Commissioner
of Pensions James L. Edwards has not been located.
3Section five of an act passed by Congress on July 19, 1848 gave three-months extra pay to all soldiers who engaged in military
service during the Mexican War who completed their term of enlistment or had been honorably discharged. For those
who had died in battle or died subsequent to service, the money would go to their
relatives.
“An Act to Amend an Act Entitled ‘An Act Supplemental to an Act Entitled, ‘An Act
providing for the Prosecution of the Existing War Between the United States and the
Republic of Mexico,’’ and for Other Purposes,” Statutes at Large of the United States 9 (1862):248.
Copy of Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page(s), Abraham Lincoln Association Files, Lincoln Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (Springfield, IL).