Read Online Karl Bacon by An Eye for Glory: The Civil War Chronicles of a Citizen Soldier - Free Book Online
Book: Karl Bacon by An Eye for Glory: The Civil War Chronicles of a Citizen Soldier
Read Free Book Online
Ads: Link
earth over him. A small wooden cross was stabbed into the ground at the head of his grave. I took the knife my father had given me and carved “1 st Sgt. John Needham, 14 th Conn. Vol.” on it. The men removed their caps and John offered a short prayer.
And when he had finished, he quoted, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Sunday, September 21, 1862
Camp of the 14 th Conn. Rgt. Vol. Inf.
Near Sharpsburg, Maryland
My Dearest Jessie Anne,
By now you surely have read newspaper accounts of the great battle fought near this place. I assure you that while the 14 th was heavily engaged, the Lord preserved me without so much as a scratch. John was also preserved unharmed and proved he is the finer soldier. A hearty dinner was prepared for us on Friday and another today, so I have had plenty to eat for now.
The enemy was drawn up behind their barriers, with their backs to the Potomac. We advanced generally against their front, and after much severe fighting, the enemy was thrown back and have retreated south of the Potomac. Regrettably, 21 men of the regiment were killed and 88 wounded. 1 st Sgt. Needhamwas among those killed. Sarge was a good man. He commanded respect for his knowledge and leadership. If I am a soldier now, it is because he made me a soldier. Sarge was a sincere Christian, I believe, and I cannot fathom a divine purpose in taking this saint from us. His friendly manner and skillful teaching will be missed by all. Pray the Almighty for this man’s grieving family.
This morning a memorial service was conducted under a stand of trees by Chaplain Stevens. It was a somber occasion. The band played a prelude of several hymns; never have they played better or more fervently. Chaplain Stevens gave a prayer of invocation and read several Scripture passages. Then he preached on the first eight verses of Isaiah 40. The chaplain spoke of the suddenly empty places where friends had been a few short days ago, like grass that is here today and is tomorrow cut down. How sharp these words now sound in my ears, “All flesh is grass.”
After the sermon, Colonel Perkins read the names of our twenty-one dead in a high-pitched, strident voice, as a gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees over our heads. The service ended with the singing of the hymn “Abide with Me.” The band played in perfect harmony, and the chorus of several hundred soldier voices rose high into the arching trees and was carried heavenward. I sang from memory, as you and I have many times before. The words came to my lips without thinking, but the words of the fourth verse stuck in my throat. How could I sing “I fear no foe” when indeed fear had held me in its grasp all during the fight? I have shed bitter tears; I have felt death’s sting.
Yesterday, General McClellan and General French inspected the brigade. They pranced back and forth atop their steeds and made flowery speeches. They proclaimed the fight a great victory – then they rode away. The mood of the men does not speak of victory, and many wonder if, in the not too distant future, we will have to do the thing all over again, since the enemy has escaped and we are pursuing them. In spite of all I have known fromchildhood, I fear the only victor in the recent battle was the grave. Pray the Almighty for the promised triumph, that this war may swiftly and victoriously end, and that I may return to you and the children.
Lest you think me entirely without hope, John’s unfailing friendship strengthens me each day. He is as ever a sturdy oak. He never wavered when we were under fire and even now, after a few short weeks, he shows a leadership uncommon among others in the company or even the regiment. Has it truly been little more than a month since we left home? Pray the Almighty for John and that beloved family.
On Monday, we will march away from here. Our destination will probably be near Harper’s Ferry. I will write again once
And when he had finished, he quoted, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Sunday, September 21, 1862
Camp of the 14 th Conn. Rgt. Vol. Inf.
Near Sharpsburg, Maryland
My Dearest Jessie Anne,
By now you surely have read newspaper accounts of the great battle fought near this place. I assure you that while the 14 th was heavily engaged, the Lord preserved me without so much as a scratch. John was also preserved unharmed and proved he is the finer soldier. A hearty dinner was prepared for us on Friday and another today, so I have had plenty to eat for now.
The enemy was drawn up behind their barriers, with their backs to the Potomac. We advanced generally against their front, and after much severe fighting, the enemy was thrown back and have retreated south of the Potomac. Regrettably, 21 men of the regiment were killed and 88 wounded. 1 st Sgt. Needhamwas among those killed. Sarge was a good man. He commanded respect for his knowledge and leadership. If I am a soldier now, it is because he made me a soldier. Sarge was a sincere Christian, I believe, and I cannot fathom a divine purpose in taking this saint from us. His friendly manner and skillful teaching will be missed by all. Pray the Almighty for this man’s grieving family.
This morning a memorial service was conducted under a stand of trees by Chaplain Stevens. It was a somber occasion. The band played a prelude of several hymns; never have they played better or more fervently. Chaplain Stevens gave a prayer of invocation and read several Scripture passages. Then he preached on the first eight verses of Isaiah 40. The chaplain spoke of the suddenly empty places where friends had been a few short days ago, like grass that is here today and is tomorrow cut down. How sharp these words now sound in my ears, “All flesh is grass.”
After the sermon, Colonel Perkins read the names of our twenty-one dead in a high-pitched, strident voice, as a gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees over our heads. The service ended with the singing of the hymn “Abide with Me.” The band played in perfect harmony, and the chorus of several hundred soldier voices rose high into the arching trees and was carried heavenward. I sang from memory, as you and I have many times before. The words came to my lips without thinking, but the words of the fourth verse stuck in my throat. How could I sing “I fear no foe” when indeed fear had held me in its grasp all during the fight? I have shed bitter tears; I have felt death’s sting.
Yesterday, General McClellan and General French inspected the brigade. They pranced back and forth atop their steeds and made flowery speeches. They proclaimed the fight a great victory – then they rode away. The mood of the men does not speak of victory, and many wonder if, in the not too distant future, we will have to do the thing all over again, since the enemy has escaped and we are pursuing them. In spite of all I have known fromchildhood, I fear the only victor in the recent battle was the grave. Pray the Almighty for the promised triumph, that this war may swiftly and victoriously end, and that I may return to you and the children.
Lest you think me entirely without hope, John’s unfailing friendship strengthens me each day. He is as ever a sturdy oak. He never wavered when we were under fire and even now, after a few short weeks, he shows a leadership uncommon among others in the company or even the regiment. Has it truly been little more than a month since we left home? Pray the Almighty for John and that beloved family.
On Monday, we will march away from here. Our destination will probably be near Harper’s Ferry. I will write again once
Similar Books
