Polk County IA Archives Obituaries.....WEEKS, THEODORE G. February 13, 1862
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 "AMERICAN PATRIOTISM" OR, MEMOIRS OF 'COMMON MEN.'" by LEONARD BROWN, 1869
THEODORE G. WEEKS
Weeks was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, on the 15th day of August, 1842.
The following well written account of this boy was prepared by his father, Dr.
John G. Weeks. and recorded in copies of the Bible purchased with the back pay
due Theodore at the time of his death. These were presented by Dr. Weeks to each
of his surviving children to commemorate their fallen brother.
DR. WEEKS' ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF HIS SON.
. . . . .. Upon the appearance of President Lincoln's first proclamation calling
for volunteer soldiers to aid in putting down the Rebellion of 1861, he embraced
the very first opportunity to enlist as a private soldier, very much to our
surprise, as he had lost two fingers from his right hand, thus rendering him
forever free from any military service under a draft. He insisted so strongly
that it was his duty to go, that we gave our consent, though he was under our
control, being still a minor. On the mustering of his company at Keokuk, Iowa,
he was rejected by the U.S. mustering officer for disability. Still determined
to serve his country he, with the assistance of an officer (General Crocker),
appealed from the decision of the mustering officer to the War Department of the
United States. While awaiting the decision of the Department a much better
position, pecuniarily, came within his reach, but he declined, saying that he
would only go into the army to fight for his country. The decision of the
Department was favorable to his wishes, and he was mustered into the service of
the United States. This is the only instance that has ever come to our knowledge
of an appeal to the War Department for the privilege of serving in the capacity
of a private soldier.
	”Shortly after entering active service he wrote in his journal, ‘The world owes
fame and position to all who earn it; and I will have just so much of its
emoluments as I can win by honorable means, and no more; for I would rather live
and die in obscurity than sacrifice the noblest attribute of man, my honor, till
now untarnished. This is my platform, and, by the help of One who controls the
actions of all, I will never accept any other.' After several months' service,
Sept. 13th, 1861, he wrote, ' am determined  to remain in the service of my
country until her rights are established and her wrongs avenged, and if the
chances of war require my life, it shall be a willing sacrifice on the altar of
Liberty!'
	“After months of trials and hardship and severe sickness he is found doing his
duty with his regiment at Fort Donelson. At the time of the order for the Second
Iowa to make the ever memorable charge upon the enemy's works, he was at his
place and ready for duty. Without a word spoken to any one he went forward with
his regiment under the terrible fire of the enemy, up the hill and into the
enemy's outer works. Here, after about a half hour's engagement, he was
instantly killed by a rifle-ball in his temple. He fell at the age of nineteen
years and six months. He was not permitted to know that he aided materially in
gaining one of the greatest victories of the war. He died for his country!  
	“In his pocket Bible found after the battle, his captain, (who was afterwards
himself mortally wounded in the battle of Corinth), wrote the following tribute
to his memory:
                                                                               
     “’Fort DONELSON, Feb. 20, 1862
“’I wish here to record my testimony that the owner of this Book, during his
connection with my company, was a good soldier, always ready to do his duty, as
he understood it. He was ever active, energetic, and intelligent, and died
bravely in his place, while fighting with his company and regiment at the charge
of the Second Iowa, which was followed by the surrender of this fort to the
Union forces.                                                                  
                                                  "' NOAH W. MILLS,            
                                                     “’Capt. Co. D., 2d Iowa
Infantry Volunteers.'"
The following reminiscences concerning Theodore Weeks may not be uninteresting
in addition to what has been given. During the night before the charge, the men
were lying on the ground before little fires they had made to keep themselves
from freezing. Some one said to Theodore: “Weeks, you are burning your coat."
“0," he replied, “that is no matter; I shall not want it long." He was very
strong and active, and had saved two men from drowning by his expertness in
swimming. There were few better marksmen. He could fire right and left, and was
selected as a sharpshooter. He was popular among his companions; every one was
his friend. He enlisted at the first meeting in Des Moines to raise troops; was
very temperate in his eating and drinking, and exemplary in his deportment. A
chaplain who conversed with him a short time before the battle of Donelson,
says: “Weeks thought earnestly of religious matters, and his conduct was that of
an exemplary Christian." 

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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