The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-31
Letter from Illinois.
ROCKFORD, ILL.,I
July l3, 1868. :

July IS, 1868.
Ep. CALEDoyIAN All aglow with patri-
o,lc fires, the welsin ringing with the expo-
sons Of cannon and the shouts Of multitudes,
ioy canning from every cOuntenance and warm
* every heart, How could it be Otherwise
n view Of the splendid results of our militia
~ operation at Vicksburg and Gettysburg ?
AaI no room for invidous comparisons be,
tween sections, no room for embodiment be-
tween East and West, no talk of reconstruct
.oJ tae Union by leaving one section out in
tarc'I!. No. the energetic, vigorous West
las broken down the great barrier to travel
... lraiic between the great Northwest and
H.. Gulf States, icksburs, the Gibralter Of
~ Confederacy has been beaten down by
'- sturdy blows Of Western men-the hith
yg,o invincibe rebel army of Virginia has
Jpen expelled from the free States, and has
9,' its prestige of victory through the perse
wiring, steady valor of Eastern troops. The
Irne.ion reels and staggers under the telling
4 lows of East and West alike, and anon it
W.! perish utterly.
Ba: let US descend little into particulars.
The click Of the teegraphic machinery her
t,!rd forth everywhere through the free
States, on the sam: day, the glad news Of
lie fall of Nlcksburg. 1t was here as else
l where commemerated by hon-ires, the ringing
e bells, the firing Of common and the shouts
@, ioyfut crowds. This universal Joy was
here tempered with sadness, in view of the
,lcrltices this event cost our good city. No
r,> than three valuable officers, who were
c,lltns Of this place, lost their lives in the
h gallant struggles against that strong rebel
\ ao.d viz, Lt-Col Nevins and Capt Bradley OF
the llth Illinois, and Lt-Col Smith Of the
Z 18th Illinois Che lead miLe regiment). The
inst named, gallant tried officer, was killed
Instantly by musket ball through the brain,
4 d: the general assault on the 22d of May
Cap. Bradley was picked off by rebel
/ ,aupshooter Lt-Col Meloncton Smith was
moy,ally wounded by muSket ball through
lis beloved 10Th, rushed into the breach
made BY the explosion of mine, which blew
l ? one Of the principal forts, and he died in
l three days afterwards His body was brought
/ -me to this city last week, and was inferred
i ~l~ after funeral sevices Of an imposing
l crar4cter, attended by large number OF peo-
l PIE. His death made sad breach in society
here. lie was post master Of this place, to
which post he was appointed OF the accession
the present Administration. Mr. Smiths
II ag.otism was of an ardent kind, and al
though occupying responsible position, he
was bound to enter into active military ser
wee which he was allowed to do without re-
.aqushing his office as post master. He en-
N,d a company in short time, was at once
.aJSen lis captain and on the organization
ID. the 18th regiment, into which his compa-
ay was merged, he was raised at once to a
Y majority Subsequently he was made 1t
Gel.
He took an honorable part in the capture
Fort Donnelson, and the hard fought bat
E -- At Shiloh. Subsequently he was made
81 .r5'ost marshal of Jackson, Tenn. and soon
alter the capture of Memphis he was appoint
r, TO the same post in that city-the arduous
.-,.es of which post he discharged for a year
80, with great satisfaction to the loyal por-
,ya Of its population and to the entire salts
aston of the government.
/. may be noticed as remarkable that
a '.or time before his death he received an
.der, whether upon his own solicitation or
4 Ut do not know, to join his regiment be-
Z rt NICksburg. He had not been long there
\ )weyer before the loyal citizens of Mem
Il lis rarnestly petitioned Gen Grant that he
Il "ght be relieved from active service in the
II "'u and restored to his former position
1 among them. Gen Grant acceded to this
i :.4lest and on apprising Col Smith thereof
Tie after begged that the order might be
suspended until the rebel stronghold should
Fl AVE fallen. Alas. the brave colonel fell be-
# .s4 the city fell and he was not permitted to
witness an event he so aldently desired to
'~r, Col Smith leaves a wife and child
.HcnS US to mourn his irreparable loss.
may be permitted to add, by way OF show
& .a5 how unfortunate our little city has been
n tne loss of officers, since the war began,
tat Lt-Col Ellis, one Of our prominent citi-
! ms, was killed at the battle of Shiloh.
The patriotism of our ladies is not one
] VII. behind that of the men. The former
Lave long had Soldiers Aid Society here,
"!!ch has evinced great activity in collecting
4 81 needed supplies for our sick and wounded
>tlers and forwarding them from time to
me as they were wanted. \ new plan was
4 ',Agted lately to enhance their means of do
I as good, which was attended with the most
q perfect success. 1t was arranged to have
4 public dinners provided and served at the
4 Woods Hall, on five successive days of the
"@ek, to be presided over by volunteer la
4 les Of the city, at which every body and
' wife in town and out was invited to at
lend and take their dinners, paying therefor
= cents each. The necessary materials in
q. the way Of meats, bread, pies, cakes, tea