IhavebeenshowninthefilesoftheWarDepartment(3)astatementof the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons whohavediedgloriouslyonthefieldofbattle.Ifeelhowweakand fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguileyou fromthegriefofalosssooverwhelming.ButIcannotrefrainfrom tenderingtoyoutheconsolationthatmaybefoundinthethanksofthe Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost(4), and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laidsocostlyasacrificeuponthealtaroffreedom.