A letter to a son in camp.
At home, July 17, 1861.
My Dear Son.
It may have seemed strange to you that a professing Christian father so freely gave you, a Christian son, to enlist in the volunteer service.
My reason was that I regarded this as a
purely defensive war. Not only did the Southern Confederacy propose to adjust the pending difficulties by peaceful and equitable negotiations, but
Virginia used again and again the most earnest and noble efforts to prevent a resort to the sword.
These overtures having been proudly spurned, and our beloved South having been threatened with invasion and subjugation, it seemed to me that nothing was left us but stern resistance or abject submission to unconstitutional power.
A brave and generous people could not for a moment hesitate between such alternatives.
A war in defence of our homes and firesides—of our wives and children—of all that makes life worth possessing is the result.
While I most deeply deplore the necessity for the sacrifice, I could not but rejoice that I had a son to offer to the service of the country, and if I had a dozen
I would most freely give them all. As you are now cheerfully enduring the hardships of the camp, I know you will listen to a father's suggestions touching the duties of your new mode of life.
I. Take special care of your health.
More soldiers die of disease than in battle.
A thin piece of damp sponge in the crown of your hat during exposure to the hot sun—the use of thick shoes and a waterproof coat in rainy weather—the practice of drinking cold water, when you are very warm, as slowly as you sip hot tea—the thorough mastication of your food—the avoiding of damp tents and damp grounds during sleep—and frequent ablutions of your person, are all the hints I can give you on this point.
Should you need anything that I can supply, let me hear from you. I will do what I can to make you comfortable.
After all, you must learn to endure hardness as a good soldier.
Having never slept a single night in your whole life except in a pleasant bed, and never known a scarcity of good food, you doubtless find the ways of the camp rough; but never mind.
The war, I trust, will soon be over, and then the remembrance of your hardships will sweeten the joy of peace.
2. The rules of war require prompt and unquestioning obedience.
You may sometimes think the command arbitrary and the
