Harry Stewart
Photo Courtesy of the Thompson Family.
Dear Mother,
(I had my hair cut the other day and send you a lock.) I am in a horrid mood tonight. I do not know what better thing to do than write to you and recite to you the trouble. Amanda's brother George died yesterday morning at 10 minutes before 4 o'clock. Oh! What a tremendous blow this will be for the family. You who knows
a mothers love can realize this. Write to them. Try to comfort them for he was a good boy and loved by everyone who knew him. I am sad and lonely. He came with me for company and now is taken from me while others of no consequence in the regiment with neither friend or relatives who scare know they have a soul are brought to the very verge of the grave and then recovered. A deep interest was taken in George. The Lieutenant Colonel visited him daily and selected his grave after he died. The whole company turned out to the funeral as well as many others from different companies . The band played the dead march, full drum corp, etc. The coffin was covered with the American flag and three vollies of musketry was fired over him. Our chaplain lead the service and offered a very
fervent and impressive prayer. Never was such honor paid to anyone dying in our regiment. His name has been covered with glory yet all this will not fill the vacuum which must exist in his poor parents hearts. I have written three letters to Amanda giving her full particulars. I could not muster the courage to break the news to his mother. Amanda must do it. Everything was done to save hime. The officers of the company offered their purses to obtain for him anything he needed, visited him nearly every hour and a
kind and attentive nurse was always by him. Typhoid fever and a most malignant shape was too much. The doctor's skills was of no consequence and little George lies tonight on the bank of the Trent River. Yet his memory will live and his name be respected in years to come for he fell a martyr in the glorious cause in which we are all engaged. (Another one has just died 8:30 pm from the same disease.) I have done everything I could and am satisfied nothing more could have been done. Direct to Ms. Elizabeth Easley, 183 St. Ann Street. Do the best you can to comfort her. I am in good
health. Drilled this morning for four hours in the sun under General Naglee. Pray for me. Give my love to all. Write soon. Remember me to sisters.
Affectionately your son
(We expect to move on Elizabeth City every day direct as before. We have heard Yorktown is taken and expect to be home by August)
Headquarters
Company A
Second Maryland Regiment
May 9, 1862
Harry
