Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-02-05
Touching Account Of the Illness and Death Of Frank
Gillian.
CAMP BENTON. St. Louis, Jan. 9, '82.

IN the IlOspltal OF the OOOQ Sduarltdu al
St. Louis. The circumstances which !
presume you and your afflicted family
would desire to be informed Of, are briefly
these:
On the 18th of December, he was at
tackled with measles; the attack was SO
slight that no danger was at all appre-
hended, and I expected bis return before
this time. At the Hospital he recovered
from the measles, but during the last three
days was attacked with pneumonia. He
suffered but little, am informed, and be
lieved himself recovering. Another mem
Der of the company, q. G. Woods,) who
is also patient in the same Hospital, paid
Frank visit they being on different
hoors,1 two days ago. Frank then said he
was doing well, and added Gas you are sick
| Woods you had better not come up again.
| will be well soon." Last evening Woods
being worse, sent up an attendant of the
Hospital named VIM. ]. Good, to see
Fra K. | have seen Good who seems a
kind hearted young man and much inter
ested in Frank, and he tells me that at 8
o'clock last evening, he appeared as well as
usual, and in answer to the question as to
how he was, replied cheerfuly, ooh, I'm
first-rate.n Yet this was only his apparent
state; for the Surgeon Or. +. A. Viii
liams,) Informs me that his mind was then
effected, and that while he would rouse up
momentarily and give rational anwers to
questions, he was really unconscious of
what was Transporting around him. Il e
Doctor tells me that he felt unusual inter-
est in Frank and gave great attention to
his case, and that it must be consolation
to you to know, that if his family had been
with him, it could not have alleviated his
suffering OF added to his comfort. Indeed
it is probable that he would not have recog-
nised you, if you had been with him in his
last hours, and lie was at no time despon-
dent or low spirited.
A Young man named Elias Howard,
corporal in Capt Gilberts company of
cavalry, 5lst Illinois, occupied the same
room with him for some days and acted
the part Of warm friend. | have seen
corporal Howard who fully confirms the
statement of the Surgeon. He says that
about three days before his death he suffer-
ed somewhat from pain in the side; but
that during the last two days he was Eighty,
laughing a good deal il happy, cheerful
waY. About midnight be pecalne for a
few moments conscious and apparently
aware of his condition. The night atten-
dant. S. B. Stoddart, sat beside him and
asked how he felt. He answered there
were only two things that caused him re-
| oret, that he could not live to aid his coun-
| try and see her successful, and for bis fam
| ily. Abiding to his future state the atten-
dant asked if there was anything else. He
replied, "No, there are only two things, my
country and my family; / wish ! could
| live for them" These were his last words.
Mr.. Stoddalt says they were spoken with
GREAT force and feeling, and that they deep
| " impressed him so that when he left the
room he repeated them to the other atten-
dant. From this time Frank continued
unconscious, until a little after 5, a. NJ.
when be calmly expired attended by cor
poral Howard.
1t is cause Of great regret to me hat
/ could not see him during his last illness.
The Hospital is about mile from the
camp, and the present military rule does
not allow officers to leave the camp, even
to visit their men in the military Hospitals.
! was informed also, that he was GONZALES
ent and was looking for his return, and |
had also sent back private Wood-who
was slightly ill-chiefiy that he might at
lend upon Frank. This Hospital is how
ever, in my opinion, the best We have. with
pleasant rooms and wellsupplied with COM
| forts. He had evidently become afayorite
with the attendants and | think received
every attention which he desired.
1t viii console you to know that your
son retained an unbiemished character
Amid the vice and profanity which too
mich polutes a great camp. 4 have never
heard from him an oath, or an expression
which might not have been repeated IN the
presence oil his mother. He early attract
ed me by his exemplary conduct. The
soIicitude and intelligence lie displayed
during the sickness of his fayorite horse
whose death now seems to have been
precursor of his own-confirmed my first
! impressions. and had intended If the op
portunity ever offered, to recommend him
for promotion.
His is the first death which has occur
red in our company. Others will ineyita-
bly, follow; but his viii always seem to US
the saddest and will always be the best re-
membered. 1t WAS not given him to die
uron the battlefield, but nevertheless he
has made the same sacrifice. Ills death is
another crime Of the common enemy which
Heaven will one day punish and ayenge.
He has fallen for the country which he
faithfully served and for the union which
he steaGtastly loved.
i enclose copy Of the resolutions unan-
imously adopted BY his companions IN arms
and viii Immediately forward BY express
his remaining effects. And now commend
ing YOU and yours to the only source Of
consolation, / close this melancholy recital,
trusting that Hewho, with inscrutabls Wis
dom, has taken Frank away, will be with
you in your SORROWS and comfort you N
i