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American Patriotism: or, memoirs of "common
men" H Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. Enlisted first in the Tenth Regiment, and was rejected on account of disability. He afterwards enlisted in the Thirty-ninth, and was received into Company B, but before the company left Des Moines, Harrison was prostrated with sickness. He was well little of the time after he enlisted. He was offered a discharge at Cairo, but did not accept it. Hudson Harrison was a young man of good morals; he read his Bible attentively. His mother says, "While in the army Hudson read his Testament through three times." His chaplain says, in a letter: "A few days before his death I conversed with him. He gave good evidence of a change of heart; and I think that I can confidently affirm that he died in the Christain faith." Born in Montgomery County, Indiana, Dec. 16, 1843; he died Feb. 12, 1863, at Corinth, Miss., of inflammatory rheumatism. His father, Alanson Harrison, a member of the same company, was permanently disabled while in the service, from a fall while endeavoring to get upon the cars. James H. Hortonwas killed May 9, 1864, at Cassville, Ga., in action; age, twenty-one; residence, Des Moines; native of Indiana. "A brave man," says Lieutenant Keeler; "one of the truest of men." "He told his comrades before entering this engagement, that he would never come out of it alive." An excellent soldier, a religious and patriotic man, enlisted Aug. 1, 1861; residence, Saylor Township, Polk County, since 1845; born in Van Buren County, Iowa, March 31, 1842; accidentally drowned at Cairo, Ill., April 22, 1862; age, twenty. He had been five years a professor of religion. He writes: -- "Mother, I haven't forgot the good advice that you gave me. I want you to remember in your prayers, that I may not yield to the temptations around me; for they are many. The drum is calling for meeting and I want to go. We have meeting here every Sunday, and prayer-meeting every Thursday night. Mother, I thank you and father for bringing me up clear of the sins of swearing, gambling, and drinking. . . . . "If I fall, I cannot fall in a better cause. I am going to do the best I can. It cheers me up when I think I have praying parents. Father, you and mother bear me up in your prayers." Again he writes: -- "I am going to sell my life as dearly as possible, if I am killed. I am engaged in a just cause, and I am going to stand right up to my duty, though I lose my life. I will not dishonor my connections. . . . . "I am bound by my oath to help put down the Rebellion, and I am going to do it if it costs me my life. . . . . I could not be content if I were at home, and see our Union going to rack. I can take care of myself and keep from bad habits. I have been in the service five months, and I have thus far refrained from evil practices. . . . . I am in 'during the war;' if I live I am going to see it through. . . . . I am here acting my part towards protecting and preserving our glorious Union . The man that will not fight for the Union ought not to be called an American citizen." " Jan. 11, 1862 . "I am well satisfied; I intend to stand up to it like a good soldier, though I knew that a soldier's life is not very pleasant when I enlisted. I am with Uncle Sam if he wants me, and no grumbling." Feb. 11th, he writes: "I am determined to do my duty." While at Cairo , preparing to leave for Tennessee , Israel , helping to load the boat with coal necessary for the trip, by accident stepped off the gangway and sunk under the boat in the Ohio River , and was never again seen. Miss Martha Mulligan, residing then a Saylorville, wrote: -- "Mourn for the last one; weep for the dead!
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