Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-03-05
Letter from Capt D. r. Sylvester.
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LeQYenwOrth City, HeD. Ii. lco@.
FRIEND CovER-Decr iSar:-Presu-
ming short epistle from me viii have at
least one point of interest sfrom the army
] embrace my owl quill and seize the pres
emit moment. We came from the ancient
and recently honorable town of Weston,
the 18th, where we lad been quartered
four weeks, WHARF we found plenty Of va
cant house, though many Of them were
in ruins, to make comfortable quarters
Weston once had largo yaluale trade, not
only from this side of the river but the
part which it took IN the Kansas troubles
and other causes made visible, the hand
upon the wall saying ''your ware houses
: 4 all crumble and be the hiding places for
alasgroes, as they are running away in
eores." .s s4
Since the rebellion, the hemp ff71tnae-
eessed, the rope walks have tumbled, and
trade is Frustrated though like all
other parts Of Missouri, Platte County
has many and / know not bat majority
Of Union men; still the rich and wealthy
have been tho principal instruments in fais-
ing Of thousands Of men for Prices army.
was treated while there with every
mark Of respect | could wish, and though
aware that some Of my friends were lit
tie more Union outside than at heart. |
shall remember Weston with more than
usual pleasure for the many marks Of
kindness | received; nor did pass unno-
t;cad fIe fine fruit which vas abundant
everywhere.
You are probably aware that the 10Th
Wis, is to form part OF the LANE Expe-
dition." But if some one does not hurry
up those naval and Cairo's expeditions will
be up the Arkansas, and leave nothing
for us to do. believe tits generally conce-
ded that Lane will have charge Of the ex-
petition, while Hunter, will have charge of
some other department; nor do | think
the troops will object. The measles and
humps still linger about our regiment,
though the most have had them, and are
out, yet generally hardly able to do duty.
One man from my company, Adelbert
Stevens, Who was left at Madison, and
Joined us OF. the 18th was taken to the hos
pita with sbe measles on The 10th.
Trustir q that neither the 9th, 18th, nor
the 18th Regiment will disgrace Wiscon-
sin, | will say word to my friends and
patrons and close. Duty has called upon
me to part, and though We expect to be
killed by no secesh, we may never meet in
Grant County again, therefore parting
word. | have been with you several
years and though many instead Of few may
have been my errors. | have degree Of
consciousness that they were errors of the
head and not eff the heart. You who have
so faithfully shown your friendship since
Sept, Esd, when fortune laughed at me
as well as my former and l-presume pres
ent patrons, q learn that my mill is again
at work You all have my sincere thanks
and / can confidently assure you that !
believe every dollar | am owing will be
soon paid and every dime donated return
cd with all the gratitude / could ii any
case bestow nor would | forget to thank
most earnestly thank those whose good
will | had, but whose means allowed them
to 90 no father; and even those who as
literally talked, intending nothing further
have my thanks. 10 you all would say,
though | have put up cheap building,
the machinery as well as the lowest part
of the mill containing it ia as good as |
could build or buy with thousands in this
respect no expense has been spared. For
cleaning wheat | have new and superior
shutters and senarators; for grinding |
have the old burrs, uninjured and can buy
no better, and for boiling have new and
first quality cIoths,fu the necessary length.
With my former excellent miller, Mr.
Smythiman, ] trust nothing will be lacking
and that my flour viii as heretofore be
first in market aid THAI all within reach
will as heretofore find it to their interest
10 patronize me at least give me call.
q Trusting to the fosbsarance and patience
Of a generous public for patronage and
consequently for support for my family
should Uncle Sam fails, while in the tent
ed field ] trust / shall not disgrace you.--
Hoping to return and live many years
with YOU and my family, ! have 2 word to
say to smother class, if there be any who
feel grieved and disappointed that by my
misfortune I was not wholly broken and
inclined 10 lie down, asking some enc to
fan me. To such would say, dry your
tears and cease % weep, pay your honest
debts and hereafter don't THY to make Or
break me. / neither court your blessing
your curses. nor your patronage
Yours very truly,
ID. r.. SYLVESTER.