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Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Co A 1st Michigan
Engineers Kingston
Ga. July 22d 1864
Dear Friend Herbert
Your interesting
and very welcome letter of July 17”
was rec’d today. I was exceedingly
glad to get it for I was very anxious
to know how your health was for
I was afraid that you were still
very sick. I assume you that
I do not and have not
thought you neglected me, but
I feel and sensibly, too, that I
have shamefully neglected you by
not writing you before. and I
earnestly ask your pardon.
I commenced a letter to you a
week ago last wednesday. but I had
barely began it when I heard some
very very sad news. which has been
the principle cause of my not writing since that
time. I was afraid that if you were very
sick as I feared you were, it might tend
to discourage you and make your condition
worse. should you hear any bad news. that
[ ? ]
want of time has kept me from writing to you
this Battallion left Bridgeport. tuesday, June
28”. Where Jimmy had been unwell for about
a week. the Co. was squaded at B. but
Jimmy was not plased in any as he wasun
able to work. so he went with the H’d Qrs
of the Co. We were two days on the road
and I fear that was too hard for poor Jimmy
Heddy was in the camp with Jimmy. in the Cap
Squad. but I was away from each. They were
near Adairsville, Ga. While I am near K.
about 15 miles apart. Poor Jimmy was getting
worse so in a few days he was sent to the
Regimental Hospital at Cartersville about
8 miles still farther South, but there he did
not improve, but rather grew some. in a
few more days he became deranged. and on the
morning of Wednesday about 8 o’clock. July 13
Our Dear Dear Friend Jimmy, died!
I was up to see him the Sunday before his death. I did
not
[ ? ] the sad news until late in the
afternoon. and then it was too late for me
to go there and attend his funeral which
took place about 5 o’clock P.M. but a train
coming along. I asked leave of the Lieut.
and went to see Heddy. I found him in
very good health. I was Jimmys old bunk-
mate and knew more about his affairs than
others. so the Capt. sent me to H’d Qrs.
to get his things. and write to his Mother and
Friends and take care of his things. Which I did
and this took up much of my time. I
was two days going to see Heddy and to H’d Qrs and
getting back to my squad. and I spent a good deal
of my spare time writing to his Friends etc
his remains were followed to the Grave by
a detachment of the Reg. and the Reg’tal
Band. beside those of his Friends who
were there and could attend.
he was burried in the village Grave
Yard at the South side of the Pretty little
Town of Cartersville, Ga. His desease was
Lyphoid Fever. I think he suffered but
little during his illness he died without a
struggle. I have but little to say to you
concerning Jimmys life for you know what
it was when you and he were together.
it was but little changed. he was the
same sober and quiet boy.
As a friend he was true and faithful
winning the love and confidence of
the whole Company.
as a Soldier he could but be
a d
[ ? ] and respected. Faithful
in the performance of duty every where
whenever well. he was sure to be doing
duty. he showed himself to be brave
in more than one instances.
[ ? ] I think that had an
[ ? ]
occurred, in which he could have
more forcibly displayed his bravery
he would have done it.
He was another victim to this Slaveholden
Rebellion. Oh! how I do long for it to close. I have
sufficient faith in God. I hope to think that when
he willith it will close and I trust that
the cause, Slavery, will perish with it.
I need not assure assure you that Jimmy is sadly
missed and long will be remembered by
not only Heddy and I, but the whole Company
had there been an embalmer to be had his
body would have been sent home, but as it was it could not be done.
I am very glad to hear from you that you are feeling so thankful for the
continued blessings of God. it realy gives us encouragement. I shall try to be so
myself. I do try to be thankful that my health is so very good.
there are a large number of the new recruits of our Co. who are now
sick. 5 have died within
about as many weeks
and a report that still another
has gone. Yet I am spared
and with good health
I am still trying to keep up
the position that I have
Taken for Christ trying
in my feeble way to his will.
if you go to Louisville please write me
as soon as you can and let me
know your address. I write as soon
as you can wherever you are.
God Bless you. Good Bye.
from Your Unworthy Friend
John Widdicomb
May God bless Dear Jimmy death to His Glory and our good
let us endeavor to live to the Glory of God and all things
and “Show the sinners” sound. What a Dear Savior
we have found John W
