PREFACE. THE events of the past four years are fresh in the minds of all. Who has forgotten the thrill of horror experienced when the news came of the attack upon Sumter, confirming the truth he was so slow to believe, that sacrilegious hand had been laid upon the sacred Ark of the Union, and the terrible alternative forced upon the Government of war, dismemberment, or complicity with an evil which would rear its hydra-head, and spread blight over our fair territories and sister States yet to be? And we remember, too, that when the grievous necessity of war was accepted, each one felt that the lion had but to shake off his lethargy, put forth his strength, and go forward-the Army of the North-in a grand triumphal march, to quell and intimidate, by its presence, our rebellious, misguided brethren, and bring them with contrition back into the fold--back into the once United compact, those who had inconsiderately stricken a blow at the great Magna Charta of.Union and Liberty. Nor have we forgotten that instead of erring repentant brethren, we found a foe powerful, persistent, implacable-nor the dark days months, and years of gloom, disaster, and defeat-the times when the “heavens seemed as brass," and sympathy was shut against us from abroad, and the powerful nations of the earth-saving the great Empire of the North, which was breaking chains, while our Southern insurgents sought perpetually to rivet them-appeared to rejoice in our discomfiture, and take satisfaction in the design of the building up of a great Confederacy, to be founded upon the cornerstone of human slavery. But we will not dwell upon the mournful picture-for surely the white-winged Angel of Peace is hovering near, and rays of hope and joy are breaking through the dark cloud so long resting upon our beloved country, and we shall ere long hear the sweet music of the glad tidings sung on the Judean plains, "Peace on earth, good-will towards men." In looking back upon this sad history, upon the times when the gray-haired—the middle-aged-the heads of families-the only sons of widowed mothers-and ofttimes all the sons of aged parentsmembers of a peace-loving, industrious community, who had known of war but as a dream of the past-all rushed to arms in their country's defence; a gleam of comfort pierces the gloom overspreading every home and fireside of the North, the East, the West: it is the welcome thought of the blessed ministrations, never to be forgotten-the efficient, far-reaching, provident, beneficent, Sanitary Commission. In its behalf, this collection of soldiers' letters is made, published -letters sent in response to the following appeal: "SOLDIERS' LETTERS. "A collection of extracts from the letters and diaries of soldiers, both officers and privates, is being made for publication in aid of the Sanitary Commission. It is believed that much material of interest may thus be brought to light, viz.: Thrilling incidents of heroic conduct and self-sacrificing patriotism, and noble sentiments, expressed to mothers, sisters, wives, friends from camp and field, fort and outpost, ship and gunboat. Persons possessing such records are earnestly invited to respond to this appeal." The letters are, with few exceptions, printed from manuscript letters, never before published. CONTENTS. ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO MRS. BIXBY. A Loyal Family. G. H. WESTON, Chaplain. March of the Seventh Regiment. ABIGAIL GRANT. Letter of 76 Patriotism.. Ball's Bluff....... ANONYMOUS. Duties of an Army-Officer. ARTHUR BUCKMINSTER FULLER. A Memorial and Letters.. WALTON GRINNELL, Acting-Master. Naval Engagement.. General Sherinan's Division. .41, 42 |