John A. Jerome to Hugh Hamilton, 22 August 1863
Fairfax Seminary Hospital
Near Alexandria, Va.
Aug. 22nd 1863
 
My Dear Sir
                        I must send you heavy tidings Your dear Son Geo. W. Hamilton departed this life this morning at 1.30 Oclock.
 
I wrote you yesterday that he was very ill. he continued to sink through the night and passed away very quietly just after asking his nurse for a drink of water. I feel sure that he is now drinking of that water of life which proceedeth out from the throne of God. In the morning as he was able to bear it I conversed with him on the subject of religion & was rejoiced to find that his soul reposed on Jesus. He said he had wandered whilst in the Army but now he had returned unto the Lord & / His presence sustained him. I went to see him again in the afternoon but he was asleep and hopeing it might tend to his improvement I did not awake him.
 
We buried all that was mortal of your dear Son today at 4 P.M. with religious services & military honors; and his grave is in the Soldiers Cemetery Alexandria, will be marked by a decent headboard bearing his name, Co, Regt & date of death. He left $30.16 & several articles of clothing which we will forward as you may direct. May the God of all consolation be with you in this sorrowful hour & sustain you by the conviction that just & true are His ways. Thus another costly sacrifice has been laid upon the altar of our dear Country. Such names shall never die whilst America United & Free lives. God will comfort you I am sure terrible though the trial be.
                                                                                               
Sincerely Yours
John A. Jerome Chaplain U.S.A.
 
[on the same paper]
 
Camp near Bealton Va. Sept 2nd/63
Mr. Hamilton             
Dear Sir,
                        I send you the Description List and the notice of your two Sons Deaths, with them you can have a settlement with the Government, they were both paid up to the 30th of June there is now due them from that time untill the day of their death. Hiram had 15 dollars with him when he died George had $30. you will see this by the papers I send you.
 
George & Hiram were two men I highly esteemed, we have lost two good men and you two good affectionate Sons please to accept of my simpathy for the loss of your two Sons, and my regards to yourself and family.
                                               
I am Sir your most Obedient servant
D. G. Orr 2nd Lieut.
Com Co. G.—
15409
DATABASE CONTENT
(15409)DL1712.016169Letters1863-08-22

Tags: Death (Military), Hospitals, Illnesses, Religion, Unionism

People - Records: 4

  • (3895) [associated with] ~ Hamilton, Hiram N.
  • (3897) [associated with] ~ Hamilton, George W.
  • (5602) [writer] ~ Jerome, John Adams
  • (5603) [recipient] ~ Hamilton, Hugh

Places - Records: 1

  • (53) [origination] ~ Alexandria, Virginia

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SOURCES

John A. Jerome to Hugh Hamilton, 22 August 1863, DL1712.016, Nau Collection