Bealton Station, VA Dec. 23, 1863

To his Excellency Gov. Blair

Sir,

You are doubtless aware that on the 8^th of June last while on my way from Kelly’s Ford to Washington (to express moneys for the Officers and men of the regiment and do sundry errands) I was attacked by 5 Gorillas with revolvers presented who demanded my surrender – I asked by what authority? The leader replied – "In the name of Mosby’s Cavalry." I said, "I do not recognize that authority and shall not surrender" – (I was alone on horseback and had $7000.00 and five watches and 26 letters to mail) Three fired, one ball going through my right wrist breaking the radius and severing the radial artery entered my right breast stuck between the ribs – My horse sprung to the right. They then fired another volley. A ball entered the point of my left shoulder passing 13 inches through the back lodged close to the spine from whence it was cut out. The third volley was fired as my horse was leaping across a ravine, one hall making a flesh wound in the left leg.

I got off with my trust – to me then of more value than life – I was taken off from the horse and put into a tent nearly dead from the loss of blood. After remaining five days was ordered by General Meade to Washington for medical treatment (the army being then on the march to Pennsylvania) and from thence home to White Pigeon on sick leave as a wounded officer. I left Washington June 18^th and returned to my Regiment September 23^rd –

I drew my pay on my return to Washington most of which I sent home to pay moneys I had borrowed to pay my own expenses and my two sons, one of whom was so terribly wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg defending the Colors by the side of our much loved Colonel Jeffords.

Last week the Paymaster paid off our Regiment but told me he had orders to stop my pay as he had no right to have paid me the time I was wounded, three months and five days.

The law of Congress 17^th June 1862 says "Chaplains shall receive $100.00 per month and two rations a day when on duty."

It being assumed that I was not on duty when absent wounded in the performance of my duty – This is an act of injustice – I cannot see why Chaplains should not be treated as other Commissioned Officers are. If sick or wounded, we have no pay. If disabled for life, no pension. If killed, our families have to hold up a paupers hands for bread.

Governor, I never feared or shrank from duty or danger in Camp, Battlefield or Hospital. I have borne off our wounded in the midst of battle and cared for the dead at the risk of my own life, who would have been left otherwise to the cruelties of Rebel hordes – I have never slunk behind when the canon roared or ran from the sight of blood.

My regiment is as dear to me as ever was a Congregation to the heart of a Pastor. But, Sir, my family asks for bread or money and I have a dear son, the pride and hope of our family, at home in physical and mental agony – Many of our chaplains have left their work and gone from exile to home, perhaps they were not to blame – I am, and have been since May 1862, the only Chaplain in the Brigade and the sick, dying and burials claim much of my time. Dear Sir, the Chaplaincy is not a sinecure.

My son, R. Watson Seage, Commissioned by you 2^nd Lieut. last Spring (not sure of date) was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg as follows: one ball entered the right breast went through the right lung came out near the spine, an explosive ball entered under the back of the left shoulder came out under the right arm, balls passed through the left thigh, the calf of the right leg and left heel, and while lying on the field supposed by the enemy to be dead the next day, a Rebel ran his bayonet through the upper part of the left thigh and came out under and inside of the knee joint.

This is his condition at home in White Pigeon, Michigan – Ruined for life, maimed and penniless. He went before the commissioners to be examined twice in order to be mustered in as 2^nd Lieut. A day and hour was appointed at Aldie. Before the hour arrived the Regiment had orders to march to Gettysburg.

He has drawn no pay for eight months, call get none because he has not been mustered in as 2^nd Lieut. – I have sent his papers to the War Department (through the proper channel) asking an order from that Department for his muster in Michigan. But weeks have passed and nothing has been heard from them.

Sir, perhaps a letter from you to the War Department would set forth these matters and would induce acts in our favor. I have written to Hon. J. M. Howard about my case – but not that of my son.

Pardon me, Governor, if I have exceeded the bounds of prudence in this communication. My pressing circumstances and that of my family must be my only apology.

My son at home had his skull cut open at the Battle of Malvern Hill and fell by the side of the gallant Woodbury and laid 42 hours on the field and was taken to Belle Isle prisoner.

Yours very truly,

John Seage

Chaplain 4^th Mich. Infantry