The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-12-18
The Last Words of a Christian Pa.


The Last Words OF a Christian Pa
...ev eHt triot. las9 rsa' BE-
One by one we lay down our noble
dead in the dust Of the land they had
loved, and that dust becomes more dear
to US as we incorporate in it more and
more Of the humanity we have cherish.
ed. '. ..'
Among the brave men who have gone
out to battle, none was more worthy of
the pane we have placed at the head Of
this article, Christian Patriot, than Sam
uel +. Willard, of Madison, Connect.
cut, captain in the I4th Connecticut
Regiment. Those who knew him will
bear witness to the truth Of the estimate.
But it is not for the sake of praising
him that we write this article. 1t is be-
cause he left brief record of both
Christianity and patriotism, which we
think both Instructive and mournfully
interesting, and which we are permit
tedito use. 1t contains much that is
of private nature, but We venture to
intrude upon tho privacy which sur
rounds every mans home affections, for
the sake ofgiving this complete picture
Of the American Volunteer soldier, the
loving husband, the devoted patriot, the
trusting Christian, going out to battle in
the cause to which he willingly gave his
life. No one can read the record without
emotion--nO one will fail to say ''such
men as these are the men to make a ma :
ton strong" The diary from which we
extract the following was found in pen
Gil on the person of Captain Willard
Il was his method of keeping notes to
be forwarded to his wife from time tC
time, and the record here covers the
Sunday when the battle was fought a
South Mountain, and the Monday
: Tuesday aud Wednesday which follow
ed, closing with the last days battle a
= Antietam.
8 ON Tor OF BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, \
Q WEST OF FREDERICK CITY,
' e.. SUNDAY Noon, Sept. II, 1862.
y The Regiment has just halted for a rest
. after climbing these mountains for miles
and as Isit upon:its summit dot down
word to you. The view from hercis beau
tiful indeed, but I am too tired to writ
n much, but you can coAtrast the dill
ference. While you and the good peopl
of Madison were sitting quietly i
= church, the Scranton Qua rds we're toll
ing away up these mountains in defens
e of our country. This is our ninth day
r march, and VIC are all about worn ou
y with fatigue and hunger; boing on tn
march, We have no opportunity to &C
t any thing to eat but hard bread an
t pork. To. day we started on our lon
$ march on hard bread and coffee alon,
marched till four o'clock. We are no,
in line of battle in Middletown Vale
8 right in sight there is an artillery or
: gagement-nothing very serious.
MONDAY MORNING, :
MIDDLETowN VALLEY, Sept. 10, '62.
These may be my last words; if s
- they are theses: a'
: l have full faith in Jesus Chaist m
+, Savior; l do not regret that | hay
= fallen in defense of my country; I ha,
loved you truly and know that you ha'
loved mo, and in leaving this world
: sin, go TO another and better on
n where am confident shall meet yo
y l freely forgive all my enemies, and a.
them for Christ's sake to forgive me-
If my body should ever reach HON
let there be no ceremony; ask no higl
: er honor than to die for my country,
lay me silently in the grave, initiate n
virtues aud forgive all my errors
= prefer death in the cause of n
country to life in sympathy with my Q
emies.
a. And now, my precious wife, good by
May the grace ofGOd sustain you, al
=. we will meet at last in Heaven.
Signed in tho valley on tho battI
:. ground near Bolivar Heights, Mar
land. ''a
: SAMUEL FRANCIS WILLARD.
- TUESDAY MoRNINa, Sept. l6, 1869.
The division moved yesterday
/. about 10 A. NJ, passed through the
gion Of the battle on the previous day
r dead rebels on every side. Our 81
geons administered to thowants Of ma
I of the wounded rebels, Saw hundre
of wounded rebels as We passed throu
4 different villages, in barns, houses, a
% hospitals. 1t was very sorry sig
for our boys-rebels we're strongly
trenched on the mountain and hello
E. good position, hut fed as the army
s%'s s'n. preached, Generals Mcclellan a