Author: Willard E. Draper
Title: Letter to “Cousin Hannah” [Hannah Parmer Draper]
Date: 13 October 1862
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:
Corinth, Mississippi
Camp of S. Shooters
13 October 1862
Cousin Hannah:
I sometimes think a soldier’s duty is one of the most burdensome of all duties; but I am about to perform a duty now that is painful in the extreme. I suppose you have heard before this of the great battle at Corinth. Marcus and myself was in the thickest of the fight; we fought as if our beloved Country depended upon our exertion. After hours of hard fighting we succeeded in driving the rebels from the Town. I was among the first who followed up the retreating rebels across the battle field. I found Marcus stretched upon the ground, he had received a mortal wound. The ball entered his head at the top and lodged. I helped bare him to an ambulance; I shed a tear on his memory, that one so brave should fall. I could not leave the field and I have not seen him since, and I suppose he is now numbered among the Cold Clods of the Valley.
Your letter to him came to the Regt. in due time, and I took the liberty to open and answer it thinking I was doing a Soldiers duty. His folks the last time I heard was well; but this will be a severe blow. My folks is well, or was the last I heard. I do not know your opinion of the war; as you did not mention the subject in your letter. I don’t know as I have any relation of my name in the war, I have not heard as there was.
Well, I must attend to duty’s call, so I must close. If you deign to answer this direct as you did to him.
Yours Truly
Willard E. Draper