Patriotism, Union Style

Union soldiers have “offered their lives…for their country,” says General Wool

John Wool was a Union major general who helped save Washington, D.C. in the war’s earliest days. Autograph Letter Signed, Washington, March 11, 1864 to Mrs. Foster. “If I would I could not refuse your request, it being for the Sanitary Commission, whose beneficent, humane and patriotic efforts is worthy of all praise, having for object the restoration of the sick and to heal the wounds of those who offered their lives as sacrifice for their country.”

Gen. Thomas’ Chief of Staff says this was a “war against treason.”

William Whipple was a Union general who served as Gen. George Thomas’ Chief of Staff. Autograph Letter Signed on Headquarters, Department of the Cumberland letterhead, Steamer Tarascon, Tennessee River, January 11, 1865, to noted collector C. L. Pascal. “…Having been reared with a profound love and reverence for our country and her institutions, increased by an education to the profession of arms bed upon me by herself, it has ever been a labor of love as well as a solemn duty to render to her my best, most earnest and untiring services.  If those services have in any degree contributed to the successful prosecution of this war against treason to her, I am more than repaid by having my name held in remembrance by my fellow citizens.”