Beautifully Dead - Chapter 27
An Immortal Affections serialized novel
A letter from Charles
Unknown Location
February 28, 1862
My dear brother,
News has reached me of our father’s passing. It grieves me deeply that neither of us could attend him in his final hours. I remain grateful that both Sarah and Eleanor were present to provide him comfort.
Sarah writes that Eleanor and Father grew remarkably close during his decline. In this, at least, we were blessed by the devoted women in our lives.
When first this conflict commenced, there existed a certain civility even amid the brutality of warfare. That civility, I fear, has now vanished entirely. I have witnessed acts most unholy—beheadings and other atrocities that defy Christian understanding. Most recently, I observed Northern soldiers displaying pure savagery, tearing apart Confederate men with their bare hands. One soldier I witnessed dismembering a fallen man with his very teeth.
I know very well you are a man of God, yet I must confess my growing bewilderment at your continued support of the Union cause. This troubled me little at the war’s commencement, but having now witnessed firsthand what manner of enemy we face—I can describe it only as pure savagery devoid of divine grace.
Brother, I implore you to reconsider your position. These men have abandoned God’s mercy and deserve none of their own. The evil I have beheld with mine own eyes has earned them whatever divine wrath our Lord sees fit to deliver.
I know you devoted much prayer and contemplation to your decision to serve as chaplain in this war. Yet I urge you most earnestly to reconsider this choice. Return home and minister to the flock that remains deserving of your spiritual guidance.
Until we meet again know that, above all, I do miss my little brother.
Charles
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to be continued…
© 2025 E.M.V. - writing as Morgan A. Drake & Joe Gillis. All rights reserved.