I should not intrude now into your anxiety, your grief, but
because your son was, let us say is, so dear to us. He had won
the universal love of our regiment. Our hopes that Massachusetts will be proud
of the late history of the Second Regiment are clouded by the anxiety felt by
every man as to the Major's fate. Brought into constant personal intercourse
with the men, I have every opportunity to know their feelings. He was always so
attentive to the comfort and welfare of the men, was such a friend to every
soldier, and was so useful to their needs, that no man could replace him. They love
him.
He has been to me a kind friend, in my peculiar office, and
I have always relied greatly on his influence and help in plans for the
spiritual good of the men. His interest in our public worship has been great,
and it was but a few weeks ago that we were together considering measures for
the special improvement of the regiment as to religious plans.
I hope you have heard that he fell behind the column coming
out of Winchester by helping and encouraging along a wounded soldier.
You will know, of course, how nobly he commanded the little
band of skirmishers on Saturday night last, when his small force he formed
against cavalry and infantry with entire success; how his clear, cool,
deliberate words of command inspired the men, so that no man faltered, while in
ten minutes one company lost one fourth of its number.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 248-9
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