Quincy Pollock

A letter about the life of Quincy Pollock from an illegible sender, ca. 1860's.

Transcription of a letter about Quincy Pollock from an unknown sender (circa 1860's):

“Quincy Elton Pollock was born in [Scioto?] Co. Ohio Nov. 13th, 1838. When seven years of age he came with his father to Stephenson Co. Ill. (his mother having died when he was quite small). As soon as schools were established in that part of the country, he was sent to a district school, and although deprived of a mother’s care, and encouragements at home; nevertheless he showed a great desire for knowledge. No task was to [sic] difficult for him to undertake. After completing his common school education, he attended the Rock River Seminary a few terms. After teaching a short time, he commenced a [illegible] of study in Beloit College. While there he was noted for the great perseverance and faithfulness he had shown elsewhere and was admired and respected by all who knew him. During his connection with the College he became a Christian, and was ever after a faithful follower of the Savior. He left College at the commencement of the war to enlist in the army saying his life was no better than other who had gone to the war. At one [of the?] cam prayer meetings where he was always a regular attendant he told his comrades that is he fell in battle he knew into whose hands he would fall. He was mortally wounded at Shiloh, and from there taken to [Meresday] hospital, where he died Apr. 11th, 1862. He was true and faithful untill [sic] the last. A deep sorrow was felt by many comrades, and friends when they heard of his death. He was buried in the hospital cemetry [sic] and his remains were sent for but the high water had over flowed the cemetry [sic] and it was impossible to find his grave after the water down. Although he now sleeps in an unknown grave his name will remain bright among the faithful martyrs of Liberty.”

Handwritten memoriam of Quincy Pollock by Reverand A. Reul, ca. 1860's.

Transcription of a handwritten memoriam of Quincy Pollock by Reverand A. Reul:

“By Rev. A. Reul

Died on the 11th of Apr. 1862, Quincy Elton Pollock aged 23 years Having made a public profession of his faith in Jesus Christ, he had commenced a course of Study with a view to more extensive usefulness, and was a member of Beloit College, when under a severe struggle between his desire for a liberal education, and a stern sense of duty to defend the flag of his country he decided to enlist in the army and in reply to the dissausions of his anxious friends, he repeatedly said ‘My life is no better than these who have gone to war, and if every one should be selfish and stay at home, what would become of our Country-- If I fall in battle I know into whose hands I fall.’ Having taken leave of the family, he went out a little way and returned, and lying his head on her shoulder, he said “mother I leave you, and I want to meet you in Heaven. Tell Father I want to meet him in Heaven. I want to meet you all in Heaven, I do not expect to to live to the close of this war.” He was in the battle of Fort Donelson and at Pittsburg Landing. On the morning of that disastrous Sabbath, faithful to his trust, he went in to report a orderly Sergeant when his is ready and went back to his post of duty. A few hours latter, he received a wound from a bullet lodged in his lungs which proved mortal. He was taken captive and again recovered by our army, and finally transported to the hospital at Mound City, where after five days of suffering, he died among strangers. His friends in searching his pockets, found a soiled paper on which was penciled as by one faint and exhausted: ‘Dear Father and Mother, while I write I am lying on the the battle field, wounded and think I will die, as there is no doctor near. God help you and me.’ It is copied verbatim. He was a modest and a sober young man, and he lived long enough to secure the confidence and esteem of his comrades in College, his superiors in the army and numerous acquaintances at home.”