The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to ever one in Western Illinois and all readers of the Quill.
I'm a hope'n all youâ'ns enjoyed 'Stronghursts Old Fashioned Christmas holiday' last Friday.
It was nice chewin' the fat with y'all on the streets, in the shops, and whilst enjoy'n the entertainment. And how about General Grant. Wasn't he fantastic!
Thanksgiving Thoughts.
We have so much to be thankful fer here abouts. Thursday is once agin our long tradition of the annual Thanksgive'n holiday. May each and ever one remember to whom we are to be thankful to and the proper things to be thankful fer!
George Washington is quoted as have'n said, "It is the duty of all nations to acknowlege the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection."
Wilfred Dumm gave a poem entitled: "Give Thanks"
"It seems appropriate for our day:
We pray in this season of giving
That all share Your Bountiful Hand,
that harvests be ample for winter,
that plenty prevail in the land.
"Grant, Lord, that in our abundance
we reach out to all those in need.
We know that by sharing with others
It truly is You whom we feed.
"Give patience to all of Your children;
May we work together as one.
May Yours be the praise of the grateful;
In all things, Thy will be done."
Golly Gee, those thoughts seem mighty fine
to reflect on fer this Thanksgivin' holiday.
Civil War History
Reflect'n back on history, November 19, 1863
President Lincoln gave his famous "Gettysburg Address."
Back when I was a young'n in school ya had to memorize it.
I'm a wonder'n if todays chillen's do the same?
On November 15, 1864, General Sherman began his "march to the sea"
which broke the back of the confederates supplies and will to fight.
Me Great Great Grandpa marched with Sherman. Sherman introduced the modern warfare tactic of takin' the fight to civilians and engaged in the siege of Atlanta. Great Great Grandpa had seen enough destruction fer a lifetime. After the civil war he came back to his township to farm and never left it. He died in 1915 and called all eight of his children, 5 boys and 3 girls, and indicated he wouldn't make it to mornin' but explained what he expected of 'em.
He was an abolishionist of the strictest kind. Believed in Justice fer ever one, black and white alike. He volunteered fer the war with crops in the field and young chillen at home. He left his older brother buried in Georgia from a Rebel's bullet.
Me Grandmother told me of know'n him and of his stories. She also, as one of the many grandchillen called to his bedside, was given his last wishes.
They are all gone now, but I cherish those wishes he held as was passed along to me, as I've passed along to my chillens and Grandchillens and I'm a hope'n they'll pass along to succeed'n generations as well.
Civil War Tragedy
With those thoughts in mind, here's a true civil war story as told by Captain D.P. Conyngham: There was a Sargeant Driscoll under Captain Conyngham, a brave man he was, and one of the best shots in the brigade.
"When charging at Malvern Hill, [July 1, 1862] a company was posted in a clump of trees, who kept up a fierce fire on us, and actually charged out on our advance.
Their officer seemed to be a daring, reckless boy, and I said to Driscoll, "if that officer is not taken down, many of us will fall before we pass that clump!"
"Leave it to me", said Driscoll, so he raised his rifle, and the moment the confederate officer exposed himself again, BANG! went Driscoll, and over went the officer, his company at once breaking away.
"As we passed the place I said 'Driscoll, see if that officer is dead--he was a brave fellow!
"I stood looking on. Driscoll turned him over on his back. He opened his eyes for a moment, and faintly murmured 'Father' and closed them forever.
"I will forever recollect the frantic grief of Driscoll; it was harrowing to witness. He was his son, who had gone South before the war."
"And what became of Driscoll afterwards?
"We were ordered to charge, and I left him there; but, as we were closing in on the enemy, he rushed up, with his coat off and clutching his musket, charged right up at the enemy, calling on the men to follow. He soon fell, but jumped up again. We knew he was wounded. On he dashed, but he soon rolled over like a top. When we came up he was dead, riddled with bullets."
Horror of War
General William Tecumseh Sherman said it well:
"I am sick and tired of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, for vengeance, for desolation. War is hell!"
Well, there ya has it then.
Where ever ya is, what ever ya be a doin', BE A GOOD ONE!
Enjoy family and friends when ever or where ever ya be a celebratin' Thanksgive'n.
I'm a hope'n I'll see ya in church, where we all can thank the Almighty fer all the bless'ns He's give'n us.
Keep on Smilen'
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke