The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-12-06
OLD BUT STILL GOOD.

Passages from a letter written by
Judge L. lockwood Hoar to his son,
Samuel Hoar, who had just started
for the Civil War, printed below, are
now being sent by the United States
Government to men newly drafted for
the National Army and TO volunteers,
in the hope that it will serve as an in
spiration to them in The struggle
against Germany:
Concord, Mass, December Is, 1862.
My Dear Boy: l did not have the op-
portunity l had hoped to talk with you
last evening-and, therefore, take this
opportunity, when we are sending you
YOUR mittens and the envelopes which
you forgot, to give you few last
words of affectionate counsel from
nome.
One of your first duties as a soldier
will be to take all the care you can
of your health. The firmer that is, the
better you will be able to do any SER
vice. or undergo any fatigue, required
of you. To preserve your health, you
must try to lead as regular and tenn
perate life as is possible. i hope you
will not try to avoid your full share of
labor, danger, or exposure, where eth
err is necessary or called for. Take ev-
cry proper occasion for bathing your
whole body-and scrupulously regard
YOUR personal cleanliness, no matter
how much trouble it may give you
Have nothing to do with spirituous
liquors of any kind Take your food as
regularly as you can get it, and Meth
er eat immoderately nor go a long
time without food, if you can avoid it.
Especially be careful not to eat to ex'
cess after long fasting.
hope you will never disgrace your
self by any profaneness or obscenlty
and will avoid all conversation and
companions where they are practiced
or allowed.
Try to preserve a cheerful and con
tented spirit and encourage it in 9th
ers. Bear hardships without grumbling
and always try to do more, rather than
less, than your duty. You will have oc
casion to be patient much oftener thar
to be brave.
The duty of soldier is unquestion
ing obedience but beyond this
hope you will cultivate Kind, respect
full and considerable temper toward
your officers.
/ hope you are going with a love
for your country and your cause, and
with a determination to be faithful tc
every duty you have undertaken. Ny
| boy, you bear the name of one who
to the end of his honored life, never
shrunk from duty, however painful
nor from a danger to which duty call
| ed him. Be sure that you do no dis
credit to it, Neither by cowardice, BY
falsehood, by impurity, by levity, nol
| by selflshness. Remember always YOU
| home and your friends-thOse who
will welcome your return with pride
and joy if you shall come back in vir
tue and honor; who will cherish YOU
memory If, faithful and true, you have
given up your life; but 10 whom youl
disgrace would cause a pang sharper
than death. Remember your obliga
tions to duty and to God. And may
these thoughts keep you from tempta
ton and encourage and strengthen
| you in danger or sickness.
And now, my dear boy, | commend
| you 10 Cod and to the power of Ills
grace. May God bless and keep YOU
Think of your Heavenly Father II
haalth and IN sickness, in joy and il
sorrow. Go to Him for strength ant
guidance. You are very dear TO cul
hrarts-and your absence leaves {
great place vacant in GU" home. If II
bc accorded to His viii, may you come
tack to Us in safety acd honor - but
wha, ever is before us, may His mercy
aid love be ever with you and His
.aace be euffi"iGnt for you.
With q ca affections
Your father
L. r. IiOAR
co,,ual uoar rornoral