Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-06-07
(Continued from last week.


from the Bridge for La Grange, Ten
nessee, where we were ordered to
Fejoin the regiment, twenty days
leave Of absence was given me and
! went home for brief visit among
my friends. The boys had great
time cn the evening Of their depart
ure from Smiths Bridge. for on the
day they left the citizens came in
from every direction and such time
they had not seen since Co. I left
Lyons. The girls were all crying
while the men and boys acted as
though they were about to part with
their dearest friends forever. The
camp was literally filled with citi-
zens who came to say goodbye" AS
an instance of the forlorn feeling
peryading the camp. one young lady
who had been doing the washing for
the officers was particularly demon
strative. Lieutenant Conway tried to
console her; telling her he would
send the money for the washing as
6ppn - We were paid off. Then
~ poer girl broke down entirely.
sAe &old him II was npt the money
y @ lyAsA ne sh$ ws- con-eys3
ahout, he might keep that II the
soldiers would only stay at the
Bridge. For If you remain here"
she said, i've know we shall be we'll
treated, but If you go away and
others come in your place, 1t may
not be we'll with u.s. This feeling
shared by nearly all the citizens
In the vicinity, Secessionists as we'll
as Unionists, had its influence on our
boys. who were loath to depart from
among a people many of whom had
shown such friendly feeling toward
them.
The time at home passed very
speedily. as may we'll be imagined.
It was without any marked incident
until the moment arrived for me to
take my departure for the front. l
had been home twice before on sick
leave, once from Birds Point, Mis-
souri, and next from Mound City.
Illinois, hospital. On both occasions
when said goodbye to my father,
he manifested no unusual emotion,
aimply advising me to do my duty
- = soldier and saying such things
q > father naturally would under
such circumstances. But on this oc-
caslon az the time Of my departure
drew near he became greatly de-
pressed In spirit. looking at me with
= tenderness and . longing which
greatly impressed and moved me.
TO this day can see him as he ap-
pGnE0d to me then. He not only
went with me down to- Ne river
ManDre I took the ferry to cross over
70. Illinois, a. he had done before,
but he seemed loath- to leave me.
crossing the river and going aboard
the cnr with me. Then he broke
down completely and throwing his
arms around my neck. with the
tears streaming down his cheeks. he
paid, 20, Harry, my boy. shall new
er see you again; I am parting with
Won forever" "Why father" said,
thinking he feared the dangers to
which was exposed. II have no fear
OF being killed. and will return
home again safe and sound when
my time ID out or when the war is
over" II don't know" he replied
ssbut I feel certain shall never see
rou again" There were q large
number Of passengers on the car who
Mitnessed It All, but there was not
: ~ eye among them. Ny father
M,s rieht. I never saw him again.
He met with death by accident the
following winter. while In the dis
charge Of his duty. After partine
Win him in this pathetic manner, ]
'pcoceded BY rail to Cairo. Illinois