The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-03-29
Correspondence.
Correspondence of Tho Cecil Wing |
LETTER FROM "BIG ELK"
HEADQUARTERS End Del. Vol; !
Camp Wilkes, Drummondtown, Va, :
March, 18th. 1861

Camp Wilkes, Drummondtown, Va,
March, 18th, 1862.
DEAR EwING.-Were you ever present at
II soldier funeral We buried one on
Sunday last from this camp. We saw his
body wrapped i'll the American Flag. going
to the grave. Solemn and sad were our
thoughts as the funeral procession passed
by US. The music of the fife and drum
generally so gay and lively was changed to
be plaintlve and melancholy notes Of the
Funeral dlrgc, and to the slow and
solemn roll of mulflcd drums. Poor
fellow, thought we; your grave should be
marked as the grave of IL hero. Your
name should be remember as that of a
patriot. He died, not on the field where
red war run mad, not where the balls like
hail stones were flying, not amidst the
grooming of the wounded, nor the Shrek of
the dying. But, in the stiffness of the
nigh, when all was quiet around him, save
the soft step and whispering voices of his
attendants or, perhaps, the stiffness Of the
midnight hour (the hour when his spirit
tied) was broken by the watchful sentries
cry of - who comes there? '' May his spirit
soul when challenged at the throne OF his
Creator, answer - Here comes spirit with
the conmersign.' And may he safely
enter into joy, and be at rest, in that blest
q
heard, but where peace flows ms a river,
and where all is love- The soldiers name
was John A. Berlin, Battery OBJ LIST
Maryland Light Artillery native of Port
Deposit IN your county.
Although We received orders more than q
week ago to get ourselves in marching order
Immediately, we are still here. Many
reports concerning our moving are flying
about, but think can safely say no one
knows when we will move, or where we
will move to although, the general impress
sion seems to be (among the otficcrs) that
We will go from this place to Baltimore
There is nothing new with us of any
account. The regiment is icing drilled in
bayonct exercises but which is not at all
difficult to learn but which would be of
very much advantage to men in close quar-.
tiers with bayonets.
Inc discipline OF our regiment is good ;
and the men are well drilled. There is but
very little sickness among us. But one or
two OF the Big Elk Rangers are sick none
very sick
There has been great rejoicing during the
week among our men ON account of the
brilliant victories of the Federal troops.-
The only regret of the men being that we
are not permitted to take part in the advance
OF our army.
Occasionally we hear from your town of
open remarks make by those who profess
to be opposed to the Administration in its
determination to put down rebellion. which
are reasonable in spirit if not in languages
cowardice alone preventing them from
saying what they would wish. Is there
not spirit enough in your Union men to
d'ire them from among you. Or are many
OF your Union men like some we have
heard from, who think it perfectly right
to arrest and coniine sccesSionists but
rho do not unni 10 hare their names men
TONED in the matter. tell you you have
some such and, the Big Elk Rangers know
who they are. 1t may suit them to be ercry.
boiys friend, but tell you what it is, it don t
SUIT us. We call no man our friend, who
is Il friend to the enemies of our country.
Having heightened our letter much longer
than we intended, we will close, by asking
you to remember us kindly to our friends
Hoping you, and all our friends are we'll, |
am truly yours, BIG ELK.