CAPT. DAVID DEWOLF By EDWIN E. COX Captain David Dewolf was born April 11, 1822, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and was a descendant of Belthazar Dewolf, who settled in Weathersfield, Connecticut, in 1664. He returned from California in the spring of 1851, via Panama, and with the gold he brought purchased a farm near Wyoming, Illinois. He became a contractor in railroad construction and assisted in building a road through Stark County, Illinois. When news came of the firing on Fort Sumpter, David DeWolf is said to have paced the floor all night. Next day he organized Company K of the 47th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He fought with Grant and fell in the Battle of Corinth, Mississippi, October 3, 1862, shot from ambush while leading his men. His neighbors tried to carry him from the field, but on account of his immense size he insisted that they leave him, taking his sword and belongings. His body was not found, but the monument to his memory in the little Wyoming cemetery is the rallying point for Memorial Day services. The G. A. R. Post of Stark County, Illinois, is named for him. EDWIN E. COX, Grandson of Capt. Dewolf and DIARY OF THE OVERLAND TRAIL AND LETTERS (To Matilda Dewolf, Springfield, Ohio.) Cincinnati, April 12, 1849. Dear Wife: I write you a few lines requesting you to have Collin go over to South Charleston and if that money comes from Harding I want you to put it in another letter and send it to Independence, Missouri, and send it as soon as you can as I cannot get along without it. You can get Uncle Bob Reid to take it to Springfield and have it mailed. I told John to tell you about it, he told me he would let you have money whenever you wanted it. I had to lay out some money here. I bought me a truss which I had to pay four dollars and a half for. The man that I got it of says I can be cured and I bought me an oil cloth suit that I paid three and a half for. We will leave Cincinnati tomorrow for Independence. There are other companies on the boat with us, one of these is going across the plains with us. I will send the constitution up before I leave Cincinnati. I will write again before I leave Independence. I wish I could kiss Sis today but you must do it for me for it will be some time before I get to kiss her. Try and keep in good health. I have no more to write. Farewell, yours affectionately, DAVID DEWOLF. May 2nd-Andrew Moodie was taken with Colera in the morning and died on the same day. We buried him on the third in the Lexington Cemetery which is a beautiful burying ground. He was a fine young man, liked by all of the company. Howe and myself dug his grave to which place he was followed by ten of our Company. The poor fellow died a stranger in a strange land without a relation to take a last farewell look at him and not one to sooth his dying moments or to wipe the cold sweat from his brow. May 10th-Crossed the river where two of our Company got discouraged and went back home viz Parlou and Low but we were joined by two more here viz Whitney from Xenica and Treene from Walhentaeu prairie. We left Lexington on the same day, we crossed the river and traveled four miles from here to Independence. We got along very slow the road being bad and the oxen bad and the drivers worse yet. It is a most beautiful country between Lexington and Independence. We arrived at the latter place on the 12th, the Colera being bad we went on three miles further and encampt for the night. We passed the blue river where there is a fine mill; on the night The original spelling is followed. of the thirteenth Walker was taken sick with the colera. We crossed the big Blue on the 15th which is quite a large stream with steep banks. May 16th-In camp all day on account of Walker's sickness. May 17th-Went to Westport where we left Walker leaving Smith with him. We traveled on four miles further and encampt in the Shawnee nation close by the Baptist Mission farm. Walker died on the 18th in Westport and we buried him on the same day in a beautiful burying ground. Smith, Binkly and myself dug the grave, there being but four of us at the burying (that is the Company) the citizens attended the funeral. We have a short exortation and prayer by a Presbyterian preacher. West Port, Mo., May 15, 1849. (To Matilda Dewolf, Springfield, Ohio.) Dear Wife: Your kind letter of date April 20th came duly to hand and I was very glad to hear from you and was glad to hear of your good health, I am sorry you had to go to Charleston to see Warrington but if God spares my life to see you again I will know how to appreciate your kindness to me. For I would almost give my right arm to see you and little sis for Matilda I never had such feelings in my life as I have had since I left home. Men have taken sick and died all around me with the colery and even one of my own comrades has died with the disease and one or two others have had it in our mess but I have been generally healthy myself. But it would be a consolation to me if I were to be sick if I had my loved one to chafe my temple and wipe the cold sweat from my brow. My dear wife could I but have you to be with me all would be well and if I live to see you again I shall know how to return that good feeling to which perhaps I have too much neglected. Oft has been the times that I wished to see you and little sis. My God what would I give to kiss her once. I cannot keep the tears from blistering the paper while I write, but dear Matilda keep in good heart and don't get discouraged and don't get troubled about me. I will take good care of myself and return as soon as I can. I thought that I would have to return home if I had not got that money but it did not make any odds when it come to the pinch the company would not let me off at any rate and Walker put in the rest of the money for me. It would astonish you to see the number of people going to California. It would be the greatest sight you ever saw the people are of all kinds, some of the first people in the United States are a going and some of the meanest are also along. We have late news from the Gold mines and I am confident that if all were to get there safe that have started and be industrious they can start home independence but many have started that will never see the land of gold. Some have started with very poor teams & grass is a going to be very scarce on account of the number a going but we have got first rate teams & the folks here tell us if we don't get there it will not be on account of our teams. We have passed through some of the handsomes Country you ever saw I never did see so delightful a Country in my life but there is too many darkies to suit me. We are now close to the line between upper Missouri & the Indian Territory. I saw Indians about Independence & all the Indians that we will see for a good while will be friendly Indians. We are going through with a large train. If I have an opportunity I will write to you on the road before I get to California for I think likely we shall meet some trains coming to the states. Before I get through you would hardly know if you were to see me for I have not shaved since I left home & I look quite shabby. You |