HENDRICKS, Nathan L. 1839 - 1863

HENDRICKS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

The following is one of several letters for the Editor of "The Fairfield Ledger" from the battlefields of the Civil War --

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, March 26, 1863
Front Page, Columns 4 and 5

For the Fairfield Ledger.
CAMP NEAR VICKSBURGH,
March 6th, 1863.

Mr. Editor: I wish to say a word to our friends in Jefferson concerning the ordeal of affliction through which our regiment, and especially our company, (G,) has passed during our short time of service.

For about two months the health of the Regiment has been poor. At one time we had but one hundred and thirty one men fit for duty. We have suffered all species of disease--measles, mumps, small pox, lung diseases, fevers, and especially the inevitable everlasting 'diarrhœa.' We seem to have passed pretty well through with every thing but lung diseases and diarrhœa. The health of the regiment is improving.

Company E has been singularly unfortunate. Ten of our men are dead, and but little hope can be entertained of one or two others. Some of the most elastic and promising young men who started with us are among the lamented dead. The following is a list of their names with some particulars.

Wm. Edwards, near Helena, Nov. 22, '62, Typhoid Fever.
Jas. L. Berry, Arkansas Post, Jan. 12, '63, Disease of Lungs.
A. McCullom, Helena, Jan. 12, '62.
John Litton, near Vicksburg, Jan. 29 '63, Diarrhœa
James Parker, " Feb. 1, '63, Small Pox.
Will. R. Billingsley, Helena, Dec. 21, '62.
Tazewell Carter, near Vicksburg, Feb. 12, '63, Di'a
Solom,on Stallman, " Feb. 16, '63. Diarrhœa.
Nathan L. HENDRICKS, " Feb. 18, '63, Lung Dis.
Albert Johnston, " Feb. 28, '63. "

It was my good fortune to know most of these personally. I had stood shoulder to shoulder with them on the field of duty and danger, and the labors and privations we had mutually endured had knit us together with more than ordinary interest and affection; and we mourn their loss with unfeigned grief. They were our brothers in arms and they are dead. They sleep upon the soldier's bed of honor, and let a grateful country accept and cherish the offering they have made to Constitutional Liberty and free institutions. I was more particularly acquainted with young HENDRICKS. His more than ordinary intelligence and simplicity of manners early attracted my attention, and upon more intimate acquaintance I found him to be one of the most amiable young men I ever knew. He was one of the noble few who could and who did live above the vices of the army. I think a vulgar or profane word never escaped his lips. Thank God, for a good example among the erring thousands of the army. I was with him just before he died. He had not lived in vain He stood above all his fears, and rejoiced in bright visions of the future. "I am nearly gone, Professor" "Yes you are, my dear friend. What shall I say to your friends for you?" "Tell them that all is well, bless the Lord. I am almost gone bless the Lord;" and so closed the life of Nathan L. HENDRICKS.

Respectfully,
E. W. GRAY.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.