Polk County IA Archives Obituaries.....Birch , Thomas S. August 8, 1862
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 "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by LEONARD BROWN, 1869
THOMAS STEWART BIRCH
LEFT school and enlisted as a recruit under Captain Mills, November 23, 1861. A
young man of superior mind, much attached to books, desirous of a good
education, he loved his home, honored his father and mother, and was religious
and patriotic. He writes:
"March 17, 1862.
"Our fleet is now moving up the Tennessee River something like eighty boats. Our
brigade is in the rear, lying on the river opposite a little town by the name of
Savannah, near the southern line of the State of Tennessee. We have been here
four or five days. I am proud to know that I am a member of such a brave
regiment; and that I was with it in the thickest of the fight, and after it was
over helped to take care of the wounded for three days and nights. The first
night I worked all night helping to load ambulances with the wounded. Mother, I
believe your prayers have been answered in my behalf. I have never forgot those
solemn promises I made you before I left home, when you took me by the hands
with tears in your eyes, and said, 'Thomas, I want you to be a good boy, and
read your Bible.'  I am reading it regularly through. I am now in Judges.
Father, I never can be thankful enough to you for the strict manner in which you
have raised me; for I now regard and realize its benefits. I believe that God
makes all things work together for good. Don't forget to pray for me."
In another of his letters he says to his parents
“I am glad to hear that you are still so mindful of me, and that you still
remember me in your prayers; for if I was ever surrounded with associations that
called for the prayers  of pious friends, for God to give me grace to discharge
my duties as a Christian, it is now. I spend my time (or what I call of it) in
reading my Bible, or some other good book, and I have never been insulted while
doing so."
Birch died August 8, 1862. He had been growing thin and weak for some time.
“CORINTH, August 2, 1862.
I am not so well as I would wish to be; still I stay on duty nearly all the
time. I am very weak and can't stand hard drilling. I don't know what is really
the matter of me - still keep losing flesh and strength, and feel very bad. I
try to shake it off and go ahead.
“Mother, I am still trying to live religious - still keep up my altar of prayer,
and it is really the only place of enjoyment I have to go to; and I never go
there without imploring God to remember you and answer your prayers in my
behalf. Mother, as you love me, pray for me. Father, as you love me, pray for
me. Tell my brothers in the Church, when they inquire after me, that if they
desire my welfare to pray for me. I finished reading my Bible through some time
ago."
Thomas S. Birch was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; 21 years old
when he enlisted; born in Indiana; had resided in Saylor Grove, Polk County,
Iowa, for several years. He came off duty on the morning of August 8, 1862,
having stood guard all night and the previous day. He was observed to be sinking
very rapidly, and was taken to the hospital. On the same day, about six o'clock
in the evening, while sitting on his cot conversing with a comrade, he was
struck by the arrow of death. He died of disease of the heart.


Additional Comments:
This is taken from "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by
LEONARD BROWN, published by Redhead & Wellslager, 41 Court Ave.Des Moines,IA. 1869.
This book contains remembrances of fallen soldiers from Polk County during the
Civil War. This includes some genealogical material as well.

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