Good evening, list, Perhaps the best way to sum up Martin Glenn's military career would be to include parts of a letter from one of his comrades: Unionville, Centre Co., Penna. March 27th, 1865. Mrs. Glenn: - Dear Madam, For some time I have been deprived the opportunity of communicating with you concerning the death of your son Martin, but I will embrace with pleasure the opportunity I now have of giving you the desired information. Your son was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness on the 6th day of May while nobly doing his duty. He was posted behind a large tree, a little in advance of the main line, watching a Rebel Sharp Shooter. He had been firing very rapidly for some time, but while he was in the act of putting a cartridge in the muzzle of his gun, a bullet pierced his breast, and he fell forward with a low groan and expired. The next morning, I took care of his effects, which was a Pocket book containing $25 twenty five dollars and a photography. We wrapped his blanket around him and buried him nicely by the side of his comrads who had fallen with him in the battle. We placed a headboard at his grave with his name written on it plainly, so that there will be no trouble in finding it. When I was taken prisoner I had the pocket book in the side pocket of my coat. The Rebels took the pocket book, but I managed to keep the money and the Photograph. I was so tortured by hunger, that I was induced to spend the money for something to eat. I herewith send you the amount, also the photograph. It is a picture of Corporal Lucas of Co. A 45th P.V. Martin was a good boy, and one of the best of Soldiers. He was amiably kind hearted and brave, never fearing to do his duty under the most dangerous and trying circumstances. Many times have I talked with him about his brother James who fell at the battle of South Mountain. He felt very lonely after the death of his brother, but he bore it with many courage, counseling himself with the thought that he gave his life in a good cause. Alas! he too has gone! He has followed his dear brother, and I hope they are in a better land where they will never again be separated. Do not sorrow. Do not weep for them. They are better off. Their names will never be forgotten, but will ever live fresh in the memory of their living comrades as noble martyrs for their Country. I am going to return to my Regiment in a few days, and I will fix up his accounts. It will all be attended to in due season when you will be duly notified. I remain, Yours in sympathy, Waldo C. Vanvalin Lieut. 45th Pa. Vol. Infty. To Mrs. Glenn." ==== Jane Glenn later applied for a pension on behalf of her son Martin's service. She died on May 27, 1873, at the age of 67, and was buried in Shiloh Cemetery, College Township, Centre Co., PA, with her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and David Etters. The other remaining son, John Wesley, ultimately did move with his wife and son to Kansas (his Kansas land was mentioned in one of the letters). In addition, he and his wife had a daughter, Myra Candace, born in 1866, after the close of the war. Sadly, he was killed in an accident while working on his well on December 30, 1879, at the age of 43. His widow survived until 1918. They are buried in Scottsville, Mitchell Co., KS. This is the conclusion to a little mini-series of history in our county. It is a profound story; a family so full of hope and anticipation for a happy future was completely wiped out in a period of a few years. There are still descendants surviving from John Wesley's children, but naturally, the other branches left no survivors to perpetuate their memory. It is my hope that Waldo C. Vanvalin's quote will ring true even today: "Their names will never be forgotten, but will ever live fresh in the memories of their living comrades as noble martyrs for their Country." Justin Justin Kirk Houser Genealogist/Researcher of Central PA and Beyond Main Lines: Houser, Breon, Shawley, Ranio/Hrynio (and others) President, BAHS Class of 2003 Student Representative, BASD Board of Education Listowner, PACENTRE-L@Rootsweb.com Historian, Schürch Association of North America (specialty Central PA lines) Member, Valley View United Methodist Church "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"