Harvey James Heistand (1833-186?)

HEISTAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/29/2011 at 23:45:04

This article is a letter written by Capt. D. P. Ballard to Mrs. S. R. Heistand. It was first published in the Story County Aegis May 18, 1864 and reprinted in the Story County Watchman September 3, 1886 under the heading "Story County in Times Past."

It is dated March 24th, 1864 from Matagordo Island, Texas

"While his loss to us is deeply felt as a company, to Lieut. O'Brien and Corporal Taylor, it is as the parting of a brother. The entire company condoles with you and desire to express sympathy. But words are but a mockery, they cannot lessen your grief, or rob your sorrow of one of its many pangs. He is gone and we can only hope to so justice to his memory. As a soldier he was excelled by none, ever prompt in the discharge of his duty, he won the esteem of all who knew him. Forsaking his home to come with us to do manly battle for his country and when duty called and there was found him for whom we now mourn. At the battle of Fort Gibson he received the fatal wound, which after so long suffering has carried him to the 'narrow house' there to await the coming of his companions."