Who was Turner anyway?

Who was Turner anyway?

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Field Musicians Wanted!

A Turner Bugler, 2004

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A Touching Letter.

NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO

November and December 1863

From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, November 4, 1863.

A Touching Letter.

A Captain in the 13th Regulars sends us the following expressive letter from Major General Sherman. It is a sad episode in a soldier’s life:

GAYOSO HOUSE, MEMPHIS, TENN.,
October 4 – Midnight.

Capt. C. C. Smith, commanding Battalion 13th Regulars:

MY DEAR FRIEND: I can not sleep to-night till I record an expression of the deep feelings of my heart to you, and to the officers and soldiers of the battalion, for their kind behavior to my poor child. I realize that you all feel for my family the attachment of kindred, and I assure you all of the reciprocity. Consistent with a sense of duty to my profession in office, I could not leave my post, and sent for my family to come to me in that fatal climate, and in that sickly period of the year, and behold the result! The child who bore my name, and in whose future I reposed with more confidence than I did in my own plans of life, now floats a mere corpse, seeking a grave in a distant land, with a weeping mother, brother and sister clustered about him. But for myself I can ask no sympathy. On, on I must go till I meet a soldier’s fate, or see my country rise superior to all factions, till its flag is adored and respected by ourselves and all the powers of earth. But my poor Willy was, or thought he was, a Sergeant of the 13th. I’ve seen his eye brighten and his heart beat as he beheld the battalion under arms, and asked me if they were not real soldiers. Child as he was, he had the enthusiasm, the pure love of truth, honor, and love of country which should animate all soldiers. God only knows why he should die thus young. He is dead, but will not be forgotten till those who knew them in life have followed him to the same mysterious end. Please convey to the battalion my heartfelt thanks, and assure each and all that if in after years they call on me or mine, and mentioned that they were of the 13th Regulars, when poor Willy was a sergeant, they will have a key to the affections of my family that will open all it has, and that we will share with them our last blanket our last crust.

Your friend,
W. T. SHERMAN.
Major General.