Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-05-13
Letter from Capt. EEildebrant

CAMP STANTON, Tenn, May 5, 1862.
EDITORS SIGNAL:
In the flying visit made to j let, some
| days since, was 20 much indisposed that
could nut get to see you as wanted
much to do. | have an opportunity OF
,nding line by Sergeant Branch who
visits home on furlough, on account Of q
wound received at Fit Donel,on.
1t is melancholy reflection FIR me tC
| look around on the few surviving braves Of
Company F and think that they are The
reIicts Of the noble and uatrotic band Of
men | led out of Joliet in search of the
enemies of our country less than tnn year
ago. Then hundred dauntless hearts
beat high with hope, and bid defiance to
| disease or the bullets of the foe-now
about thirty effective men is all can mus
ter for the fight. 1t is a fearful decima-
tion-Bassett, Mahon aud Jacob Dolker
fell at Donaldson Delaney at Shiloh-and
many others have fallen by disease | have
taken care that the voun6e Of my compa>
ny were well cared for, in most Instances.
paying personal attention to them. have
also sent hume all who were sick and un-
able for duty, whenever / could get fur
lnughs tor them. / wish 10 say 10 the
fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters of
the brave men who were entrusted to nv
care by them, that in every instance where
1t was IN my power, 1t has been my high-
est ambition to project and care for them
In evidence l refer to the men themselves.
The 10Th Regiment needs no one 10
speak for her. Her gallant deeds at Fred
rlckton, Donelson and Shiloh, speak for
themselves. But our glory has been dear.
~ wUn. Dat of a thousand and ten men
who left Camp GjOdell in June last,
onl y 444 remain and many of them are
nnht Tor duty. Not more than 200 effect
I've men are left. But we know they have
fallen in just, holy, q righteous cause.
and that posterity will cherish their mem
ores as the defenders Of our glorious couu-
try, her constitution and fag-"'Tis sweet.
oh tbs sweet for ones country to die.o
wen mere we are on the eve of anott er
great battle. The mighty hosts are NOV
Ing-and the roll of the drum and the ir
regular rattle of musketry is heard cons
tinually, as our pickets become engaged
with the enemy, and as column after col
umn moves forward to a new position near
er his works, 1t cannot lie many DAYS
before we shall measure swords with him.
and then may God defend the right. /
have no fears as to the result. Our pre,
parations are of the most ample character.
and IN cur commanding officers we have
men with hands to do, and hearts TO dare
One who never sleeps, is at the helm. and
the men are full of FIRE and anxious for the
hight. Woe be to traitors when the steel Of
northman is at their breasts.
The general belief is that a mighty bat
tie will be fought here, and that il will be
hnal effort on part Of the foe. God grant
1t. We have had enough of this war. If
we could have an honorable peace-if we
could see tie constitution respected on
every foot of our soil, and flag recognized
by all our people.
This brigade (McClsrnand'sl has the
reserve, and we are required t. support the
heavy artillery. This is the posiuou of
honor, we have we'll earned it.
1 believe there is nothing worthy of in,
terest IN reference to matters here. only
what is eontraband, that you have not
already heard. The boys OF F. wish to be
remembered to their friends. They have
been sustained so far, by the recollection
that the loved Ones at home," are thinks
ing aud praying for them. The thought
OF them in battle moved our hearts to val
orous deeds-and soothes the pains of the
wounded and the dying. I will write you
again after the fight. If Tam able.
7. Q. uILDEBRANT.