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Story
August 19, 1847
Jeffersonian Republican
Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Milford, Monroe County, Pike County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Lieut. Fletcher, killed at Buena Vista, wrote a poignant letter before battle providing for his 2-year-old daughter and advising on her moral education, emphasizing truth and virtue. His remains were buried in Alton, Ill., attended by his daughter and grandparents.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
An Affecting Letter.
Lieut. Fletcher, of the Alton (Ill.) volunteers, was among the killed at Buena Vista. He was a widower, and the father of a little girl two years old. His remains, with others, were recently buried at Alton, and his little daughter, accompanied by her grandparents, attended the funeral. The night before the battle, Lieut. Fletcher wrote the following letter, which presents, in a gratifying light, his parental affections :—
CAMP BUENA VISTA, Mexico,
January 14, 1847.
Dear Colonel: To-morrow we expect to have an engagement with a superior Mexican force, and, on the eve of the battle, I have thought it proper to address you a few lines.
As you are well aware, the object nearest my heart is the welfare of my little child; and so far as I have been able, I have provided for her. My wages, to the amount of $250, are due from the Government; besides a small sum owing me, as well as the contents of my trunk, and the books and the other articles I may own, I have, in a memorandum in my trunk, left to her, and placed the whole in the charge of Capt. Baker, to be forwarded to you in case I should fall—all of which I doubt not you will most religiously see appropriated to her use, as may seem fit and proper by you and mother.
And now, with respect to the child: should I fall I leave her entirely to you and your wife; but have written to my brother, requesting him to throw his brotherly protection over her; and if, at any time, you think fit to send her to him, he will receive her as his own child, and protect her as such. Should she remain with you, I wish that she should receive as good an education as the little means left her will afford; and, above all things, teach her that truth and virtue are to women what the soul is to the body—the life of its life. Teach her that to be just to all—in thought—in word—in deed, is the true—the great aim of a good mind; and those who strive to accomplish that purpose seldom fail to live at peace with the world, and accomplish the "Great Destiny" for which they are created. I wish to say a thousand things more about her, and my wishes for her, but that would be superfluous, so I will revert to other subjects.
In death as in life, ever yours,
E. F. FLETCHER
Lieut. Fletcher, of the Alton (Ill.) volunteers, was among the killed at Buena Vista. He was a widower, and the father of a little girl two years old. His remains, with others, were recently buried at Alton, and his little daughter, accompanied by her grandparents, attended the funeral. The night before the battle, Lieut. Fletcher wrote the following letter, which presents, in a gratifying light, his parental affections :—
CAMP BUENA VISTA, Mexico,
January 14, 1847.
Dear Colonel: To-morrow we expect to have an engagement with a superior Mexican force, and, on the eve of the battle, I have thought it proper to address you a few lines.
As you are well aware, the object nearest my heart is the welfare of my little child; and so far as I have been able, I have provided for her. My wages, to the amount of $250, are due from the Government; besides a small sum owing me, as well as the contents of my trunk, and the books and the other articles I may own, I have, in a memorandum in my trunk, left to her, and placed the whole in the charge of Capt. Baker, to be forwarded to you in case I should fall—all of which I doubt not you will most religiously see appropriated to her use, as may seem fit and proper by you and mother.
And now, with respect to the child: should I fall I leave her entirely to you and your wife; but have written to my brother, requesting him to throw his brotherly protection over her; and if, at any time, you think fit to send her to him, he will receive her as his own child, and protect her as such. Should she remain with you, I wish that she should receive as good an education as the little means left her will afford; and, above all things, teach her that truth and virtue are to women what the soul is to the body—the life of its life. Teach her that to be just to all—in thought—in word—in deed, is the true—the great aim of a good mind; and those who strive to accomplish that purpose seldom fail to live at peace with the world, and accomplish the "Great Destiny" for which they are created. I wish to say a thousand things more about her, and my wishes for her, but that would be superfluous, so I will revert to other subjects.
In death as in life, ever yours,
E. F. FLETCHER
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Family
Moral Virtue
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Soldier Letter
Parental Affection
Buena Vista Battle
Mexican War
Orphan Provision
Moral Advice
What entities or persons were involved?
Lieut. Fletcher
E. F. Fletcher
Little Girl
Colonel
Capt. Baker
Brother
Grandparents
Mother
Where did it happen?
Camp Buena Vista, Mexico; Alton, Ill.
Story Details
Key Persons
Lieut. Fletcher
E. F. Fletcher
Little Girl
Colonel
Capt. Baker
Brother
Grandparents
Mother
Location
Camp Buena Vista, Mexico; Alton, Ill.
Event Date
January 14, 1847
Story Details
Before the Battle of Buena Vista, Lieut. Fletcher writes to his Colonel entrusting his young daughter's care, financial provisions, and moral education in truth and virtue to him and family, anticipating his possible death.