Providence R. I.

July 21, 1863

 

Col. Edwin Metcalf

Cmdg. 3^d Regt. R. I. H^y Arty

and Commt. of Hilton Head

            Port Royal S.C.

 

Dear Sir:

            How powerless are words to express our sorrows and bereavements! what unexpected undiscoverable things lie before us? Only faith in the infinite wisdom and perfect government of God can reconcile us to our oft recurring trials and losses. What we see not now we shall see hereafter. The death of your excellent wife is a very deep sorrow to me. How great must be the loss and sorrow to you! Would that I had the power to soothe the deep anguish. God alone can bind up the heart. 

 

The particulars of her brief illness of about one week, and her death which occurred on the 18^th inst at Newport, you will doubtless receive from others. The ordinary funeral services were observed this morning in a church at Newport by the Rev. Mr. Childs. The remains reached this city at 1 o'clock P.M. The Rev. Dr. Hall being ill I conducted the appropriate services at the tomb in Swan Point Cemetery, speaking of her happy character as it had been indicated to me in the army, and offering prayer that the sad loss may be sanctified to you and your children and to us all. None of us could withhold our flowing tears. Deeply do I mourn with / you. You have my heart's sympathy and condolence. But the dear light that has gone out on earth has only been set more brightly on high to invite our vision and our hearts upward. O, no, she is not dead, she lives in the better brighter clime. Moreover, "to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die".

 

            The news we receive from your Department gives me much anxiety to be with my regiment as well as to be with you in your sorrow. O that I could help somehow! My health is steadily gaining. I could wish myself bound southward on the next steamer. I shall be examined again in a few days in the hope of being / pronounced sound enough for field duty. Perhaps in the near time I can serve the regiment by aiding in securing and forwarding recruits resulting from the draft. What would you like to have me do? It will be my pleasure to serve you in any and every way possible.

 

            I write in haste to catch the evening train and remain

                                                                                   

Yours fraternally

and for service

Frederic Denison

Chaplain

3^d R. I. H. Arty.

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