Mora, Minn., May 1st, 1909.
Dear Readers:— As this will be the last of my letters a few words added will not be amiss. I got a transfer from the hospital in Washington to the hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, reported to Dr E. B. Wolcott, at Milwaukee, who at that time was surgeon general of the state. He gave me leave of absence and I went home and under a mother's care was soon myself again. Our regiment was ordered to Madison to be mustered out the latter part of July. I reported again to Dr. Wolcott, who gave me orders to re-port to our regimental doctor. I did so and was mustered out of the United States service July 28th, 1865, at Madison, Wisconsin. Now, a word about Sam. Samuel McClement was my schoolmate. His father's and my father's farms joined. We both left school together, January 15th, 1862, and enlisted. We bunked together, slept under the same blanket, drank from the same canteen and read each others' letters. He was eight months my senior, an excellent soldier, brave to rashness, and a jolly, big-hearted Irish boy. A couple of years after the war he married, went to Iowa and settled on a farm. The last time I heard from him was about eight years ago. He was then in poor health and has probably answered the last roll call ere this. Now, friends, hoping these letters have been read with a little interest, by some at least, I will bid you all good bye. Very respectfully yours,
— M. EBENEZER WESCOTT.
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Interesting on a couple levels. One is his connection to my home town of Madison, Wis. Two, it was written in 1909, 44 years after the end of the civil war. He must have re-enlisted in the Army following his convalescence.
He was born April 3, 1844, and died 14 April 14, 1925 at age 81. He was 65 when he wrote the above letter.
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