Letters Home: Charles Brush to his parents following William’s death

Previously, we posted letters from William Brush to Charles and subsequently, the letters from the boys’ father H.L. to Charles regarding William’s sickness and then, death. In the letter below, Charles writes to H.L. saying, “…little did I think when I bid him good by at the depot last fall that it was for the last time on earth.” The full letter can be read below:

H(ea)d Q(uarter)s 53rd Ill Vol

Memphis April 18th /63





My dear Father and Mother,

Your kind but

dreadfully sad letter letter of the 14th inst was received about noon today. I

would not write to night but I know that in Your sad berevement that You are

anxious to hear from me. You only, who alike with me are afflicted can immagine

with what surprise and anguish I read the sad news of Dear Williams death, and

even now I can hardly realize the fact but little did I think when I bid him good by

at the depot last fall that it was for the last time on earth. and although I was

not permitted to see and be with him in his last hours, I thank God that You was

there and that he did not die among strangers alone and I pray God that we may

all bear up under this load of grief and affliction and be reconciled to the will of

him our Heavenly Father. O, I would have given any and evry thing if I could have

seen him before he was consigned to his last resting place, but it is now too late,

it is hard for me to think of, but a kind providence ordered that I should be here,

His will be done. I am content to stay where I am but on Your accounts it would

give me pleasure to spend a few day at home but is seems impossible I hope and

trust that You Dear Father and Mother will not give way in this hour of affliction.

I fear it will make Mother sick and almost dread to see the next letter. May God in

his mercy be with You all to keep and strengthen You My friends in the Regt (they

are not a few) many of them friends and acquaintances of Will) deeply

sympathise with me in this berevement , but I can not write more now. I am

quite well. love to all of You. it rains very hard to night. write soon and often.





Affclly Your Son,

Chas. H. Brush

©2011 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum