( 14 ) exaggerate tlie importance of our lives and that of our friends in time of peace, especially as against the success of such a cause as we are now fighting for. I have never' yet been in a pitched battle, but I have been in dangers which I think are far greater, and I have been in one very sharp little fight. I should have much less nervousness in coming under fire the second time than I felt the first. And it is not mere familiarity which begets indifference, but a pure mental effort which becomes easier and more natural every time it is called for. I have observed that most blusterers are cowards; I have learned that many men are happily constituted courageous by nature; and another class are brave from simple exercise of the will, prompted and sustained by sound principle and a consciousness of right and justice justifying their acts, and making them willing to die for the truth, if it be so ordained. In a bad cause I know I should be a coward; if I am ever tried, I trust I shall have strength given me to do my duty faithfully without regard to personal considerations. In the service here, I suppose we do not talk half so much about the war as before we enlisted. We seldom get excited at any news. Every man’s thoughts are occupied with the minutiae of his duties. But there is great determination and great faith underlying the seeming cheerfulness and lightness of our manners. We talk of the dangers of the field with as great coolness as of our domestic affairs. It takes time to reach that point, and it takes principle and faith too, I think. I believe our friends suffer for us infinitely more than we do. Half our own care is for the fears and feelings of others. I am afraid it may make seeming cowards of some of us. A single courageous word from you takes loads from my mind. * * I pray for your sakes that I may be able to serve my time in the army with credit, and bring a good name home with me. I appreciate in all proper seriousness, I trust, the responsibility of my position. I have intense anxiety for you all; and though I have great distrust of myself, I have Christian faith and am cheerful.”
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