...We are bringing up the rear of that vast army that has advanced and crossed the river,and is now at rest,bivouacking in that silent camp that has no outpost or picket line,or smoldering fagot; where no tramp of sentinel is heard;beyond which no day of weary marching; no night of sleepless watching,nor sounds of thundering guns,whistling shot,or shout of battle."They sleep the sleep that knows no waking."
With them is their commander in chief,the immortal Lincoln and there gathered the great soldiers Grant and Sherman,and Sheridan and Thomas,and Logan and Mead,and Porter and Farragut;and hosts of other gallant leaders,noble companions of the dead.And when the last weary foot of this rear gaurd,shall have crossed over,and passed into the lines that seperate life and the noiseless bivouac,where all shall lie undisturbed untill the morn when the great trump of the archangel shall sound the last reveille over the land and over sea,and which shall awake the sleepers to that final and grand review before ONE whose eye sees every equipment and overlooks no neglect; may you then,and all your departed comrades pass that inspection without a blemish to be found upon your armor,and recieve the praise;"well done good and faithfull servant."

Lt. W.R.Lawrence 73IL.Inf.Co.C
Address of Sept.29,1896 Supreme Court Room, State Capitol, Springfield,Illinois

We will miss you Frank. Michael P.Elliott