The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-06-08
ed his integrity through his short career


among US.
His poor mother. on hearing of his
illness, Rev TO his relief, and amid her
anxiety and suspsnse. arrived to-day
but, alas not to look upon the face OF her
loved one be had gous 70 his last rest
ing place. and sleeps upon the high bluff
in the rear Of the city--a cyprus slab
marks his resting place. We accompa-
MED the distressed widow and mother to
the grave Of her only son and while con-
doing with her in her sad affection,
could not restrain the falling tear. while
hers in great profusion moistened the
dust which covered the remains of all
that was dear to her on earth
/ begged Of her copy Of the following
letter, which. you will perceive, Was
written just before his departure for q
Southern cline, to his mother, and was
not designed for publication but the zeal
for the success of the country, the uusur-
passed deov,ion to the Gag of the Union,
which il breathes, and the unparalleled
sacrifices made by the writer, in the cause
Of his country, led me to urge the publ
cation Of this letter.
am, sure you viii be kind snough to
publish this, together with his letter, and
join with us in our sympathy for the dis
tresssd, forlorn and heart broken widow.
G.
[THE LETTHR
CAMp MCCLELLAN, Feb. 26, 1863.
Dear Mother:
Although wrote letter to-day. viii
write smother, in the fulfllment Of the
promise gave, that ! would write jus'
before we left for Dixie. To night. as
was writing to Ad., there was . commo
ton in the Barracks, caused BY the repor
that We we're ordered to prepare to leave
tomorrow. did not believe it at first
but soon the Orderly came in and told u,
that rs Of us were ordered to our reg
iments, and for us to prepare for it.
| have just finished packing my carpet
sack, and now sit down to write this
The boys are in high spirits, and SO am |
/ long to be near the scene of strife al
though may go to my death, am gIa.
for change. Now has come the chang
in my life. / may come back in full
health, miserable cripple, or may NO
come back at all. feel in my mind tha
| will come back hor / cannot imagine
hope sincerely that l m.y live awhii
to enjoy the blessings for which risk m
life but if fall, | have the cons olatio
that fell in the discharge of sacre
duty, fght,ug for the great Union Z
!; States, which cost our Fathers so mnc
blood and suffering.
Oh how noble is the cause how glt
rious the death. If must die, | hope
may be on tie battle 6eld and that m
last gaze may rest on the glorious Sta
I and stripes--.he Aag Of the free ! O
what thrilling thoughts gil my mind whs
J / gaze upon its floating folds.
i shall soon join my comrades, and th'
e feel more at home: together we will strii
Q for the Union apd the extinction OF q
r curse slapery. II the war 10 not ends
: when my time il out, | will enlist +
three yean more never can be satis6s
to stay at home when my friends are
the army, fighting for the blessings whit
: | in idleness enjoy.
+ l viii write every week, and wish y
. to do the same. Try and enjoy yours
It as we'll - you can, and not think I
8 much about me. must close now u
go to bed, As we have to be ready At
l. o'clock. Good night.
70 Your affectionate son.
q c.. MCCORMACK.