Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-03-11

MS mother. anG OUNCE YOURS &C,
JAS. D. KENNEDY.
Pennington. March 6, 1868.
Dear .Nohey:
Our friends at home do not seem to I'M
derstsnd our feelings and position it
they really knew the Importance we at
tach to cur letters, [ am sure they would
write much o~ftener. A soldiers chief
enjoyment is his letters, and to a great
extent the one bright star of his life. and
when they do write gsry few know hO'0
to write to Il soldier. What does he care
to hear about troops and generals, he
sees and lives that every day; finding
fault with the Government, or this or
that officer is useless, for dear knows he
and his comrades do enough of that,
they are at it all the while. and it only
tends to discourage him to know that his
feelings are the same as those of persons
out of the army all such things are old
and uninteresting to him, he NOnts to hear
" ftONtct All ACiC WV - EaSAe
often made. Do not fill a sheet with
how badsyou want him at home-how
much he is missed, and useless repining
as to the length of the war, and whether
be would live through it. . that all
would stop it. 1t does no good; he
knows that the government Is slow, that
men are political r~ascals, whose only care
is for self and party be knows that he
is missed from the home circle, and that
loving hearts long for the hour of his re-
turn he knows that the future looks
dark, and that the terrible struggle bids
fair to be a long and bloody one, that the
dangers he must encounter are many,
and that there are many chances against
his safe return he knows and feels it all
feels it deeply-but why repeat it to
him, why harrow his soul by causing him
to continually brood over it, He tries to
forget and live every day for to-day
alone. He must forget it it is a part OF
his trade to become a careless, cool, and
outwardly heartless man, and to this end
he daily lives.
When you write to him, tell him of
little home incidents, tell him all you do,
but not all you feel, in a word, write
loving but cheerful letters to which he
may turn when cast down and despond-
ing, for strength. As his heart yearns
for home, so will his thoughts and feel
ings take their shape from the words re-
ceived from those left there. | have
been blessed with friends at home who
have always tried to make my task as
light as possible, but not so with ALL
Often have | seen the clouded brow and
troubled look which followed the receipt
of letters from home, and my heart ached
for them.
We are about ready again for the field.
We are bound for old Rosy, n of the
best generals we have. and under him, l
have ne doubt that the I'd o. V. C. will
have a chance to show what they are
worth in close quarters. Well, so be it;
that is what we came for.
But if aught should happen to me
dear mother, console yourself with the
thought that l fell as did my dear broth
er, doing my duty in the grest cause OF
Truth and Justice, and to you, dear
mother, is cosigned the care of my dear
motherless child. and 1 have the great
consolation IF knowing that, whatever
may befall Il father, he at least is safe
and among friends.
A few days ago | saw some of the lO5th
boys, who were well acquainted with
Benny, and fought side by side with him
in that dreadful struggle in which he
lost his life, and the tribute he paid to
his courage and bravery was glorious
He said that almost the first volley Ben
nv was wounded III the leg, but refused
to leave the field and continued working
his gun until struck down by a ball in
the breast, and as he left the field he
heard him say, II base done all I can ;
doa't run boys" Noble boy Yes, he
had lone all he could, and enough, and
thank God he has a brother who will
strive to aYenge his death and who feels
he yet has something to do. Yes, dear
mother, | haze yet something to do, and
God giving me strength, / OiH do il.
Our next move will bring Us in contact
with Bragg's rebel hordes, and with the
watchword, don't run boys" | shall
yet assist in strike terror TO rebel hearts,
and have a bloody revenge on the me-
mics of right. justice and humanity. :
Ny love so all take good care of baby
and write often to your affectionate SOL,
GEO. B. KENNEDY.