Civil War Letter, Death of Dwight Parce - February 10, 1864

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 24, 1864

U.S. Army Marine Hospital, New Orleans, La., Feb. 10 [1864]

I was highly gratified to read in the Union of the 13th ult., the welcome intelligence that Dwight Parce, [Soldier] of the 114th, "so long a prisoner among the rebels," had been exchanged and was "either at New Orleans or on his way there," as it gave encouragement and hope that he might soon be in this city; though that he was here at the time mentioned I was sure, was incorrect.

Sorrowful and unpleasant as it may be to record the melancholy fact and heavily as the sad news must fall upon the ears and hearts of his family and friends, and upon the community in which he so long and so honorably lived, and in which he was so highly esteemed, it appears that the fears which with reluctance, were expressed in my letter of December 18th, were but too well founded.  He died at Camp Groce, Texas, of dysentery about the first of December.

I have taken great pains to learn all the facts possible in his case, and to this end yesterday made the acquaintance of Mr. Edward Stratton, who, together with his family, has returned, and is now stopping at the St. Charles Hotel.  Mr Stratton's name was mentioned in connection with Mr. Parce's among the citizens taken and held as prionsers, in the account which you have already received.  From him, who was taken prisoner at the same time and place with  Mr. Parce, who was with him in all their confinement, in their wearisome marches, and in all their trials and hardships, and who even held our deceased friend in his arms in his last moments, I have learned several interest particulars; but not gaining as much information at a single brief interview as I desired, and besides having been promised a relation of facts in writing, I am constrained to withhold comments and full details till another time.  I cannot however, refrain from commingling my deep sympathy, with private grief and public expression of sorrow at the great loss which his stricken family and the community have sustained in the death of this truly good man.

It may too, be of immediate consolation to his numerous friends to add that he won by his agreeable manners, his accommodating disposition, his congenial temperament, and the happy faculty which he possessed of looking upon the bright instead of the dark side of the picture, and of striving to bring good out of seeming evil, the friendship and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.  Confederate as well as fellow prisoners, officers and men, all rebel surgeons even alike vying with our own, to render all the assistance, under the circumstances, in their power, and contribute, as far as possible to his comfort and recovery.

For want of time rather than material for a fuller letter, I send you an account of the great carnival which was observed in this city yesterday called Mardi-Gras, and also some remarks in relation to it, which appeared in this morning's Era. Such a day of fun and frolic, of masks and masked batteries, I never witnessed before and never expect to again.

Surgeon Wagner, Captains Fitts and Longwell, and Lt. Allen, about a week since, on leave of absence, sailed for the North, and by this time are snuffing the cold winds of New York.

I am glad that some of the 114th are in luck to have been enabled to obtain a respite from the duties of the camp, the fight and the field, and permitted to visit their families and friends, which they have long left behind.  I trust the good report they bring of us will induce others, by scores to enlist.

Corporal F.W. Fish has received his discharge from the service, on account of ill health, and sails for home in a day or two.  Frank possessed in a remarkable degree the qualities of a true soldier, and seldom do we meet with more commanding gifts of intellect or a kinder heart.  Faults he had, as all of us have, but enemies none. Several others have lately been discharged on account of sickness, and quite a number put in the Invalid Corps.

I had the pleasure lately of shaking the hand of my old friend, Lieut. M.B. Ludington, of Capt. Tillson's Company, 161st N.Y., for the first time since in the Department.  Although I have not met him in eighteen months, I have often heard of him, and am assured that his record is good.  To his credit as well as Chenango's it may be set down that he is a good soldier, brave and true.  He likewise has gone North.

The 12th Conn. and the 75th N.Y., of our old brigade, have enlisted as veterans, and are homeward bound, as regiments, to recruit. The 12th sailed some days since, and the 75th embark on the Continental today.  It is hoped they may each return a thousand strong.

I have a leave of absence for a day or two to drive some 25 or 30 miles up the country with a friend from N.Y., and to be in time for the next steamer, have been obliged to dispatch this before breakfast, or not al all.

In haste, H.