Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/benton-thomas-h/
Regiment: 19th Indiana Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Washington, Oct. 20, 1862
Mr. Benton:
Sir: At the request of your friend, Mr. Domer,
I write you these few lines. I beg you will pardon my
briefness. I am in constant attendance with the same young
man that was with me when I saw you last – that is my
excuse for not writing sooner. Your son appeared to
improve, and had a good appetite, and was very cheerful.
On Thursday evening he seemed to breathe
heavily. Doctor Stephenson said he was threatened with
inflammation of the lungs from exposure on the battlefield.
Friday he seemed a little better. On Saturday I began to
feel a little more anxious, and the Doc stayed the most of
the day with him. He slept calmly, only waking to take his
medicine. His mind wandered in his sleep; he appeared to
think he was on the field giving orders to his comrades,
and fighting the enemy. Let me assure you he had every
attention. Doctor Stephenson dressed his wounds
three and four times a day, was with him from
Saturday afternoon until he died, which was half past one
on Sunday. At eleven o’clock in the morning he
said, ‘Tom, I am afraid this will prove fatal.’ The only
answer he made was, ‘well.’ A few moments after he called,
‘Mrs. Roche, give me a drink.’ He said to me, I don’t want
you to hold the tumbler, give it to me. He drank heartily,
and died soon after without a struggle. Doc Stephenson,
after his death, opened his purse and found $20. He paid me
$10, and paid $3 for washing his bed, had to be
changed twice a day. If not, we would not have been able to
have stayed in his room. The doctor paid for all his
medicine. I don’t suppose he had any great amount left. His
coat and cap, with two carpet sacks, I’ll give to Mr.
Domer, and he will forward them to you. With every
assurance of esteem, I remain your friend,
Mrs. Roche
