Michigan State Agency For Relief of Sick, Disabled and Needy Soldiers
Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 21, 1863

Miss Millie M. Peck, Muskegon, Michigan:

Your very welcome 1etter of inquiry is received, which I should have answered before but for the press of business.

Although the task is anything but a pleasant one, I will give you all the incidents, 1anguage, connected with the last movements of your dear Uncle Chauncy H. Peck, of the 21st Mich. Vol. Infantry, as near as I recollect them and they are rather fresh in my memory yet.

On or about the 2nd of October last, in my going about the Hospital looking up Michigan patriots who have been wounded at the memorial Battle of [Chickamauga], my eyes were attracted to a small tent isolated and alone, a short distance from the regular hospital tents; I approached the little tent, where I found a human sufferer, silent and alone. I inquired if he was wounded. He answered in the affirmative, and gave me his name, residence, company, rank and regt. And stated that he was struck with a piece of shell which entered at his right hip, passing through his body and coming out just below the abdomen, causing a most terrible wound.

My sympathies were aroused in his behalf, as I found him laying in an uncomfortable position, partially exposed to the sun which was then uncomfortably warm. I immediately resorted to measures to protect him, and placed him in a more pleasant position, gave him fresh water, and otherwise ministered to his wants, as best I could.

I asked someone nearby why he was placed in that “dog tent”, and received for answer “that he was so offensive to the inmates of the regular hospital that it was necessary to move him out by himself.” Although his right leg, from his hip down, was mortified and swollen as large as his body, the stench did not offend me to the slightest degree. I resolved instantly, that I should remain with him until he was better or worse. Not withstanding his sufferings were intense he did not murmur, he did not complain at all although ________ pain. His countenance was pale and his frame exhausted yet his voice appeared to be as strong as usual and his eyes as bright as ever. On the occasion of my leaving his tent for a pillow and some water, he observed, “O don’t go, Sir, I am so lonely.” I assured him that I should not desert him, that I would return directly. Soon after I returned he said “Mr. Willard, do you think God will forgive so wicked a sinner as I”. “Yes” I replyed, “our Heavenly Father will forgive and receive all who repent and believe through the Saviour Jesus Christ”.

“Then let us pray,” said he in an audible and loud voice, he offered up one of the most touching appeals to the throne of grace for salvation of his own soul and those of his companions. In his prayer he did not forget his dear mother and relatives or his country. I never listened to a more feeling and eloquent prayer in my life. I regret that is mother and relatives could not be present to the dying hero. Rest assured that he died happy, and that he enjoyed the Christian rest.

In my letter to Mr. Venor which was published I did not introduce all of Mr. Peck’s language. I was in a hurry when I wrote. (But I thought that I spoke of his allusion to his mother) And unless you had called my attention to the subject all the conversation that occurred between Chauncy and myself during that painful hour, might have escaped my memory.

Young Chauncy not any alluded to his dear mother, with intense feeling, in his prayer, but spoke of her several times prior and after prayer. I remember that he made an exclamation like this, “Oh, if I could see my dear mother once more, it would be a great consolation, but I shall not in this world.” He had been aware two days that he could not possibly recover, I was with him about two hours when he calmly fell asleep in death, without a groan or struggle. I have witness many deaths but I never saw exhibited such heroic fortitude as Mr. Peck displayed during his last moment. occurred to me that the language of his prayer and the style with which he delivered it, was not which we would naturally expect from a heretofore infected person. I thought it worthy of a minister of the gospel or someone who has tasted the sweet of Christian faith.

The pattern and beauty of his prayer both surprised and pleased me. It inspired a sort of confidence in and respect for that young man that will never be erased from my mind. He did not inform me that he had been a professor of religion (nor did I ask him) the fact is I did not trouble him with conversation any more than was necessary as he was wracked with pain that I refrained from talking as much as possible.

Chauncy was, I found, a favorite among his companions, They all respected him. The foregoing is the substance of what passed between us as near as I can recollect. Present my writing to his mother, if you please, and pardon my indifference, as it is late and I am weary.

Very Respectfully, L. B. Willard, Michigan State Agent

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