The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-10-12
ADVICE FOR EVERY
AMERICAN SOLDIER
Passages from a Letter Written by
Judge E. lockwood Hoar to His Son,
Samuel Hoar, Who had Just Started
for the Civil War.

The extracts printed below, from a
letter written by an eminent Massa-
chusetts Judge to his soldier son, are
now being sent out 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 inspiration to them in the
struggle against Germany.
Concord, Mass, Dec. ID, 1882.
My Dear Boy
/ did not have the opportunity | 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 a few last words of affection
ate counsel from home.
One of your first duties as a soldier
will be to take all the are you car of
your health. The frmer that is, the
better you will be able to do any serv-
ice, or undergo any fatigue, required
of you. To preserve your health, you
must try to lead as regular and tenn
perate a life as possible. l hope you
will not try to avoid your full share of
labor, danger, or exposure, where Ell
Their is necessary or called for. Take
every 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 spurious IL
quors of any kind. Take your food as
regularly as you can get it, and nei-
Their eat ~immoderately or 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 obscenity,
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 grum-
bling and always try to do more, ra-
Their than less, than your duty. You
will have occasion to be patient much
oftener than to be brave.
The duty of a soldier is unquestion-
ing obedience-but, beyond this, |
hope you win cultivate a kind, respect
full and considerable temper toward
your officers.
! hope you are going with love for
your country and your cause, and with
a determination to be faithful to ev-
cry duty you have undertaken. Ny
boy, you bear the name of one who, to
the end of his honored life, never
shrunk from a 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 leyity, nor
by ~selfishness. Remember always your
home and your friends-those who will
welcome your return with pride and
joy if you shall come back in virtue
and honor; who will cherish your mem
DRY, if, faithful and true, you have CIV
en- up your life; but to whom your dis
grace would aus "a pang sharper
than death. Remember your obliga-
tions to duty and to God. And may
these thoughts keep you from temp
tation and encourage and strengthen
you in danger or sickness.
And now, my dear boy, / commend
you to God-and to the power Of His
grace. May God bless and keep you.
Think of your Heavenly Father in
health and in sickness, in joy and in
sorrow. Go to Him for strength and
guidance. You are very dear to our
hearts-and your absence leaves a
great place vacant in our home. If
it be according to His will, may you
come back to US in safety and honor
but whatever is before us, may His
mercy and love be ever with you and
His grace be sufficient for you.
With deep affection.
Your father,
E. R. HOAR.