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A Wisconsin Soldier Relates How News of Lincoln's

War-date Union soldier's letter written in pencil by Quarter Master Sgt. John P. DeMerit, 29th Wisconsin, 4p. folio, ink, Mobile, Alabama, April 23, 1865,"...Now as to how all this has passed off, or what incidents have occurred to enliven, cheer, make interesting, or sadden this week are briefly told. The utmost order has characterized the general run of affairs. Although it is evident from no meeting for the expression of union sentiments, and the general appearance of the inhabitants - and appearance that is seen and not heard - that the feeling against the Union is bitter, still the people have sense enough to know that humble submission to us is to their interest. Infact the citizens admit there has been more order in the city since we came than before. But all our affairs have sunk into insignificance before what has come to us from the North. During the early part of the week we were electrified with joy over the report of the capture of Richmond, and the capture of Lee and army. Then peace, 'homeward bound,' a happy conclusion of this whole affair occupied our attention. But while our hearts were filled with gladness over these things, the news of the Presidents and Sec. Seward's death fell like a thunder bolt upon us and changed like lightening our great joy into profound mourning. Words are too feeble for expressing the depth & breadth of feeling in the Army against this atrocity. Soldiers, who are supposed to be above shedding tears, actually did do such on the reception of this sad news and a general feeling of the gravest sorrow rests upon the countenance of all. If God had told this Army to decide which it would accept a great defeat to the Army or the death of the President by assassination I am sure it would have quickly accepted the former. In deed look at this calamity from whatever point you will, as a loss, a disgrace to a civilized nation, or any other view it is a great & awful affair. Soldiers, who always have to strive to observe the command 'love your enemies,' and to see that no injury but justices infliction shall fall to their adversaries, and with this feeling put the strictest guard upon Rebel persons & property, feel strongly inclined where Rebel sentiment breaks out into the barbarous act of assassinating our chief to throw off all protection to the enemy and go rather for extermination than for protection to anything short of persons. So while a few days ago everybody was talking & thinking about home & going home, so now the universal sentiment is let us push these Rebs into humble submission, and to a pleading for mercy if it takes a hundred years..." More. With postwar note on verso stating that DeMerit read this letter before the GAR in 1895. Fine.

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