Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-08-04
M Dear Sir:

- =
In my time have been to a great many !
Fourth of July celebrations, and have been
made to feel patriotic by oratiOns, viewing
what were considered splendid military
parades, and hearing good music, both
vocal and instrume ntal but M, heart was
never made to feel so glad as at our cele-
bration of the 4th of July 1868, at Vicks-
burg, Miss.
The glorious Fourth, Gen. John A. Logan
marched with his Division into the city to
take formal possession g! it. 1t was glo.
rious sight The Sd Division had cons
tributed largely towards the successful
termination of the siege, and it seemed
but an act Of justice that the choice should
fall on the brave boys composing it to
march first into the accursed den. Every
body seemed happy except the poor rcbs.
The Star Spangled Banner soon waved
triumphant over the Court House, while
several bands played our national airs
with unpre ented good will. don't think
l ever properly realized the beauties Of
Yankee Doodle" before
Presuming that you feel some interest
in the welfare of the Goth Regiment H.
Vols, it having been raised at your city
| for the Third District, will endeavor to
/ give you some of its history, during this
Campaign. 1t was engaged in all the bat
! ties fou ght from the time Grant crossed
the river up to the charge upon the enc
my's works on the 22l of May. But it
suffered most at the battle Of Raymond
Here we lost our braYe Lieut.. Col. Rich
ards, who was shot through the breast
while leading his regiment TO the charge
here also Capt. Stevens and Lieut.. Sears,
together with sixteen privates were killed
Lieuts. King and Wadsworth, Of your city
were both wounded 22d of May, in th,
charge on the Fort. The ooh lost, up t
the time of the surrender, killed 81, woun
ded l02; total casualties 123. OF tn
wounded one or two have since died.
What changes have been wrought in th
Goth since il left Joliet, in JuGe, 1861 =
Since then it has been engaged in min
battles and the old Third District may vel
be proud Of The LITTLE TWENTIETH, fol
it has won honors in each engagement
But its ranks are fearful.y thimned. an,
many of our brave comrades who left Jol
let with US. have
''ione to that land OF deepest shade
Unrierccd 10y human thought"
The brave and generous Erwin. TIE chiv
alric Thompson, the intrepid Richards, th
highly c,luoated and kind-hearted Stevens
and the Christian. spirited ana brave Scar:
these all Fl | soldiers graves. May the
rest in peace A grateful country vii
hold them in remembrance.
Tee ] hardly tell you who has so latel
been with us, that although the Goth
greatly reduced in nnmbers, it IS still emit
tod to the sobriquet Of the Little Fight
ing Rogiment." The boys who now com
pose it a-e all veterans tr.e!," aud Col
Bradley, who now commands it, and VII
the tcople Of Joliet will re, all as he highl
LisutenoEt Of Co. a, is as finished az
brave an ficer as ever drew sword in il
fence Of his country.
e The weather for a few we ks past ha
been oppressive'y hot, but lately we ha,
: had some rain and it is Eow as pleasan
as heart could wish. All our trpnrs al
in fine condition aud good spirits.
Your most obedient servant,
Cur1sT,purR Go,rp,,rp