98.
(Part of a Letter from H. C. Hancock.)
Because I felt them to be true long before the commencement of his sickness.
As Captain of this Company of men, a heavy responsibility is devolved upon me, and I feel it to the fullest extent. The older members expect to be provided for and protected in the enjoyment of what few privileges soldiers possess. The younger members expect care and attention when sick. And the parents and friends of these soldiers expect that I will see them provided with all these; and of the younger soldiers more especially, that they are entrusted to my care, and when sick that t hey shall have provided for them as near as possible the comforts of home. These soldiers are so many persons, for whom the most intense solicitude is felt by friends at home. They are so many treasures committed in a great measure to my protection. Whetheer this be so or not, I can't help but feel that it is, and act accordingly. For these reasons, as well as for his noble qualities, the death of William was as the loss of one of my own family.
Unsearchable is destiny. But it is a mysterious Destiny that enters the family circle and takes away one so noble in the morning of life, whose morning had been so right. One merging into manhood, with every prospect for a useful life and noble career before him. One upon whom clustered the affections of all who knew him.
Please accept my condolence in this your bereavement, as one of the sincere mourners for the loss of William.
May his Spirit develope to its fullness in Heaven.
Yours friend,
H. C. Hancock.
TS . Letters and Papers of Charles S. Taylor, I , 98.
