17th. To-day our rejoicing is somewhat subdued by the news
of the surrender of our forces at Harper's Ferry. Burnside's corps is said to
have fought splendidly at South Mountain; Reno's Command is highly
complimented, not a man faltered. I am so longing for another letter from you.
I see the 79th was in the recent engagements. It seems they are always where
work is to be done. I saw too that Capt. Pier, of whom I have heard Dr. Elliott
speak, was slightly wounded. I trust you have escaped unhurt, that God's good
angels have guarded you, and brought you safely through. I noticed the names of
one or two from Co. K, 79th, among the wounded. Uncle John's faith in Gen. Pope
remains firm. Mine is lost, yet I wish all to receive full justice, and am very
glad to discover merit among our officers; our men are almost beyond praise.
Miss Abby Bond (Dr. Bond's daughter) is to be married
to-day, to a Mr. Adriance from St. Louis. Nannie Day has come up to attend the
wedding. Hunt is in good spirits this morning; he sends love, thinks you are
doing great things, and hopes the ball now in motion, will move until the great
end for which it was started, is accomplished. He says he sees McClellan has
been under a chiropodist, and he is glad to see so glorious a result.
Again, good-bye, my own dear son. I pray that you, so
marvellously preserved as a soldier of our country, may likewise always remain
a soldier of the Cross. God bless you, guard you, guide you, wherever you may
be.
With much love from all, I remain, my precious son,
Always your loving
Mother.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 198-9
No comments:
Post a Comment