Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-08-21


eff the Connecticut Fifth. to his wife and chill
dren on the eve of going into the late battle,
show a thorough preparation for the event first
announced. We take them from the Danbury
Times -
CAMP NEAR CULPEPPER Court HOUSE, Va,
Monday, July 2Sth, 1862
My DEAR WIFE Il expect the time has
nearly arrived when we shall have bloody
battle, as l understand tonight that the enemy
ale crossing the Rapdan River, with twenty
five or thirty thousand men, and advancing
towards us. If so, probably before you receive
this, we shall have fought one of the severest
battles of the war. | have sat down to write
you what to do if | should be so unfortunate
as to fall on the field of battle If / am killed.
| wish to have Mr.. VIM. Montgomery settle my
affairs, pay all my debts, and with the remain
der buy small place for you and the children,
where you sould live comparatively comfortable
with the pension You would receive from the
Government. The children are now old enough
to assist you some about the house, and in a
few years. if they live, they will be grown to
manhood when | trust they will not forget
their mother. | have endeavGred, so far, to
far to rear them Ia usefulness, and | cannot but
believe that they will be comfort to you, and
if they are guided by His holy law, they can
not go astray.
II | should fall, my body would probably be
sent home shall wish to be laid in the Gene
try at Danbury in lot selected for my family.
1t has been my desire and intention to have
Theodore educated as soldier at West Point,
ii it were possible, and if practicable, wish it
to be done. He is, or will be well calculated
for a soldier, having the aight temperament and
constitution. Nelly is active and will succeed
any where if rightly directed and watched over.
Seymour, the dear little fellow, hope will out
grow his misfortune, and if possible should
have good education, that will fit him for auy
kind of business. If judge rightly he will
acquire knowledge faster than either of the
others. All of them are so constituted that
they will he easier and better governed by
kindness than harsh treatment. Every care
should be taken in rearing our little girl, as
her future happiness depends more upon her
disposition and amiablehess Of character, than
does that of men women are more dependent
than the other sex.
You must not think strange that ! write you
thus, for it is my duty to you all and as it
could not be done after | should be killed. it is
quite proper, and but justice to you that |
should do it now while the opportunity offers.
And now, my dear wife, be of good cheer
II it should please the Lord to take me from
you, He has promised to be the widows God,
and Father to the falherless. His promises are
sure! And if we meet no more on earth, !
hope to meet in Heaven, where there shall be
no more wars, or Sumors Of war, and the weary
are at rest. No man could lose his life in a
nober cause and although it would he great
pleasure to me to spend the remainder of my
life in the midst of my family, and assist in
rearing our dear children, and prepare them to
fight the battle of life still | should detest
myself if | could quietly look on and refrain
from lending a helping hand in this our coun-
try's emergency AS our Heavenly Father has
not supplied me with meaus to assist pecunari-
ly, must use what He has gven-my good
right arm
And now, my dear wife, may God in His in
finite mercy protect you, and assist you TO rear
up our dear children in the fear of His molly
name.
My Dear Children This may be the last
time shall ever address you, and wish to give
you a little advice, which will be of great bene-
fit to you in your intercourse with your fellow
men through life. First OF ali, obey the will OF
your Heavenly Father by doing this you will
always enjoy His favor. One Of His command
menls is to honor and obey your parents.
know you all love your kind mother and would
not wiltully grieve her, but you will do 1t many
times carelessly, if YOU do not try to avoid il