The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-05-22

''"e shS 'iSh uiiahuiS udiucT VIII Dc
obliged to take his chances the same
as the poor loyal men.
|
| ADDRESS OF COL MUNGEN,
On taking leave OF the 57,h, az younr.s
/ Point, April IA, 1863.
Fellow. SOLDIERS oE THE 57tb
OuIo:-It is with feelings of emotion
that, rs Colonel of the Regiment, I
bid you adieu. 1t is one of the most
trying events ofmy life. The break
ing up of ties and associations formed
in the service ofour common country ::
the rending assunder ofaflections and
friendships which have become deep.
ly rooted in the best soil of the heart.
ties, associations, affections and friend
ships, which have grown up and
strengthened with our daily intercourse
since the 18th day of September, A.
ID. 1861, and which have been scaled,
cemented and made sacred by the
blood ofcomrSles under the glorious
Stars and Stripes amidst the smoke
and carnage of the le-field, and
the hardships and privations of war
can not be lightly and ruthlessly
broken. But fate has decreed that
we must sever. l am advised by
gentlemen, eminent in the medical
profession, both in and out of the
service-by my own physical disabil-
ity, and by the tenactv with which
that scourge of the soldier, Chronic
Dysentery, clings to me, that, in or
der to prolong my life, during the
coming Summer / must seek relief
and restoration in the cool and bra
cling breeZes of the North. Death,
with every one, is but a question OF
time-and we have, during the vicis-
itudes of this war, almost learned to
look upon it with indifference. Hu-
man life, here, seems very cheap-so
to speak; but while my life may be
of comparatively little value to my.
self, it is of first Importance to the low
ed ones at home, who are dependent
upon my exertions for support
This latter thought, more than any
other, prompts and enables me to re-
sign my position and leave you, SC
| that / may, before it is too late, recov-
er my health, and repair, if possible
= q constitution shattered by the expo
sures incident to camp life.
But l can not, in justice to you, as
, well rs to myself, part from you
without saying a few words more.
Although we all came fromOhio, ma
ny of us were strangers to each other
when the Regiment was formed. lam
proud to say, however, that the court.
esy and consideration due from one
gentleman to another, have ever char
acterized your intercourse; that feel
ing which should exist among com.
rades in arms, engaged, as we hope
, in high and holy cause; the maintain.
ance of the Constitution, the enforce.
ment of the Laws and upholding the
old Flag, has ever animated youi bo.
SONS and that feeling strong frater.
nal affection has prevailed at all times
within our ranks.
In the discharge Of my duties as
your Regimental Commander, l have
frequently reminded you that the first
! principle of good soldier is to be 9
gentleman. You seem to have con.
Quoted yourselves by that rule; and
by course of conduct becoming sol
diers and gentleman, you have won 6
high and well-deserved reputation as
/, comrades and friends, l love and re
spect you; and although time and dis
: tance may separate us, be assured
that my heart will be with you where
ever you go-and until Death shall
} command me to "surrender'' ant
"stack arms" until the Almight,
@ shall see proper to cause me to "lit
down." my best wishes shall be will
you and for you.
Your military career has not beer
b one Of ease and pleasure. You hav,
borne the burden and heat Of the day
in the fullest sense of the words. Yol
have breathed the red flame Of battl,
q far, far from your much-loved homes
= away in an enemy's country. Yor
/ have borne, without murmuring, tn,
fiery rays of MONDAY sun in mid
: summer, throughout the States O
= Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi
0 in those heavy marches of last Sum
r mer. You have shivered under tn,
chilly nightdews of those latitudes
struggled over burning sands an(
stones with blistered and bleedin,
= feet waded through mud and waite
Q with aching limbs; kept vigil in lionel,
swamps, on picket-guard in the fac,
/, of the enemy. In short, you hav,
done your duty manfully, where pa
r triotism means blood----not idle tall
h and where loyalty to the old Flag
v means death beneath its shadow, an(
not harangucs Of stay-at-home patri
OTIS.