, 1864-04-22
AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE.


uEADqEARTERs Nil DIV. OF Mss,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, April s. 1881.
Col: EZRA TAYLOR, Chief Of Artillery, Hunts
vile, Ala:
Dear. Colorel-As the current of events
has seemingly parted us, and may drift our
both duty and pleasure for me to give you
this, my assurance of affection and respect.
You FIRST joined mo on Shiloh field, the
night before the rebel host fell with headloDg
fury on our camp, where Mll Of US, yet un-
used to wars dread sounds, struggled man
fully and well to yindicata our manhood aud
our country'e claim to national existence.
Our rst interchange Of thought Was IN fu-
rions battle, but by courage and teuaclty OF
purpose We hurlcdtback that host; and thon
began the more agreeable social Intercourse
OF the camp. You and can far better recall
In memory tho thousand little incidents TINT
attended our slow but steady advance on
but then began friendship Which I hope
will last as long as We do.
Danger and mutual reliance often times
crowd ID few hours life long relations. To-
gether, riding side by side, we passed thro'
the enemJ's deserted camps Of Corintt, on
were allowed rest, but as tie summer heat
passed into antumn's breezes, again we were
IN motion, aud by piece Of strategy
more .skillfnl than the world nppreci-
ates, We forced the enemy to abandon
his strong lines of the Tallahatchie;
aud then turned on that plan around which
centered come Of the most interesting events
fed, but not dismaJed, we struck Arkansas
Post, aud again to Vicksburg. To me al
ready 1t seems as 3 dream; but it was no
dream, but reality. Yon and / and our
brave companions worked with a persistence
and energy that gives us q claim to our
eountry's gratitude, which In due time I
know will bo accorded. Vicksburg Was
test question. There our enemy had oil tho
advantages Of m impregnable position, yet
by the yaor and energy OF the soldiers, and
the unbounded resources Of the country, our
nation conquered Should not that fact
make us love and honor our country? It
did; and God grant that ne all shall live. TO
our names with that great National
event, which is conclusive as to the
ability Of our soldiers to accomplish any
thing within the limits Of human power.
But there Was no rest for rs, on we went
10 jackson, and last not least, when our fol
lows at Chattanooga and Knoxville eAlled for
help, tbey called Tor us and we went, carry
lug with us our tried soldiers and our skill
full artillery, and at our approach the clouds
ofdnnEcr r2iscd, and the sun Of safety shone
brighter than ever.
Would that we could row rest and dwell
with complete satisfaction at the past. but
you and can not bid the elements of strife
to cease, but must go on, each In the sphere
assigned us by the constituted authorities Of
our country, rejoicing, however, that NC have
that common nag that u'akes us one, and
that our efforts are still directed to the end
that that aag shall ever be the emblem ol
strength and glory, not only over the land
Accept Dear Colonel, the assurances OF
my personal friendship nnd Official respect.
Though apart In person, In fact and in spirit
We arc still together, and God grant that VIC
mfy continue to maintain these relations till
we pass away, and our children step upon
the rostrum Of life and claim onr honors.
Truly your friend,
w T SuENuiN Mai Gen