From his pension file:

Wellsville, Lenawee Co., Mich.

May 11, 1863

Lt. Col. J. R. [Joseph Rowe] Smith

Sir, I seat myself to write you a few lines in order to report myself to you. I am a paroled prisoner captured near Murfreesboro, Tennessee at that battle called the battle of Stones River. I was captured on the 31st of Dec last. I was at Camp Chase, Ohio when I started to come home. I am a married man of a family of four children, and had not seen them since I enlisted which was Sept 23rd, 1861 and I had the desire to see them. Sir, I will admit that I done wrong to come without leave, but I wish to to be forgiven if possible. I was at Monroe last Saturday a week ago, to my fathers that lives there to see you, but you was at Coldwater. I would have gone to Detroit but I did not have enough money to pay my fare. Please confirm for what do do, as soon as I am exchanged I am willing to go back and want to, although I am unfit for military duty, on the account of losing my thumb and fore finger on my right hand. I am a son of Joseph Griswold who served under you in the Florida war. I will do any thing that you say and wish to be pardoned. I am a private of the Mich. 11th Infantry Co K at Murfreesboro as prison guards now, Capt. P. H. Keegan, Com. I am also acquainted with Lieut. P. P. Devers 5th Mich. Battery, he was once your orderly.

Yours with respect, from your humble servant,

Daniel Griswold