When the assault at Vicksburg was at its height, on the 19th of May, and I was in front near the road which formed my line of attack, this young man came up to me wounded and bleeding, with a good, healthy boy’s cry: “General Sherman, send some cartridges to Colonel Malmborg, the men are all out.” “What is the matter, my boy?” “They shot me in the leg, sir, but I can go to the hospital. Send the cartridges right away.” Even where we stood the shot fell thick, and I told him to go to the rear at once, I would attend to the cartridges, and off he limped. Just before he disappeared on the hill, he turned and called to me as loud as he could: “Calibre 54.”
I have not seen the boy since, and his colonel gave me his address as above, and says he is a bright, intelligent boy, with a fair preliminary education. What arrested my attention there, was, and what renews my memory now, is, that one so young, carrying a musket-ball wound through his leg, should have found his way to me on that fatal spot, and delivered his message, not forgetting the very important part even of the calibre of the musket, 54, which you know is an unusual one. I’ll warrant the boy has in him the elements of a man, and I commend him to the government as one worthy the fostering care of some of its national institutions.
I am, with respect, your obedient servant,
W. T. Sherman,
Major-General Commanding.
BE PATRIOTIC.
It may be, my boy, that you will never be able to guide a regiment of soldiers as did Nathan Beman, or carry cartridges as did young Howe, but that is no reason why you should not be just as patriotic. That boy who is law abiding, who opposes everything that tends to undermine the national fabric, who decries Sabbath desecration, vile language, bad literature, and all vices, is a patriot in the true sense of the word, and can be relied upon in times of peace as well as war to do his best for the country.
Be patriotic. Cultivate the spirit of admiration toward the national flag. Dowered with priceless traditions its stars and stripes speak of the sufferings of the past, the prosperity of the present, and the glories of the future which shall attend the onward march of this great Republic. It is the hallowed emblem of the world’s greatest nation, and of its most resplendent civilization. Of Sherman it was said that he never failed to salute the flag by taking off his hat in its presence. That flag is the emblem of all we are and all we expect to be.
“It floats that all the rights of men may every people bless
And God’s own kingdom walk the world in peace and righteousness.”