A Grieving Father Thanks Soldiers for Returning His Son's Body | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

A Grieving Father Thanks Soldiers for Returning His Son's Body

A Wisconsin Civil War Story

A Grieving Father Thanks Soldiers for Returning His Son's Body | Wisconsin Historical Society

Jacob West of Evansville expresses his gratitude to soldiers in the 13th Wisconsin Regiment. They cared for his dying son, Stephen, during his sickness and then shipped his body home to Wisconsin.

Enlarge13th Wisconsin Infantry Company K, WHI 33520

13th Wisconsin Infantry Company K

View the original source document: WHI 33520

EnlargeWilliam H. Pomeroy, WHI 70227

William H. Pomeroy

Drummer William H. Pomeroy, Company G, 13th Wisconsin Infantry, with drums. View the original source document: WHI 70227

From Original Text: "I wish to express through the columns of your paper the obligations of myself and family to the members of the 13th regiment, for their kindness in sending home the body of my son, Stephen West, who died in the hospital at Lawrence, Kansas, on the 21st day of April, 1862, of typhoid fever.

Especially do we feel grateful to the surgeon of the regiment, Dr. J.M. Evans, for his intermitting attention to him during his sickness, for the frequency of his letters informing us of his condition, and for the active part he took in preparing and forwarding his remains.

We feel that we can never repay his noble generosity, but he may be assured that our prayers shall follow him wherever he may go.

We could also tender our heartfelt thanks to private Benj. Francisco, who accompanied the body home, and to the members of Capt. Blake's company, and also of the band, one and all, for their liberality in assisting to defray the expenses; but chiefly for the sympathy and kindly feeling which prompted that generosity.

May God bless them and preserve them to return again to their homes is the prayer of their friend, Jacob West"

View the Original Source Document

This document has been scanned.

View the Document

How to Cite

For the purposes of a bibliography entry or footnote, follow this model:

E.B. Quiner Scrapbooks: "Correspondence of the Wisconsin Volunteers, 1861-1865," Volume 5, page 101.