10 HENRY HILL GOODELL 



for the troops. I have had a lieutenant's position offered 

 me, but declined it, as I could not give any immediate 

 answer. It is hard to tell what is one's duty to do. The 

 faculty are very much adverse to the students' leaving, but 

 then on the other hand, the minister here, and other persons 

 in whose judgment I place the strongest confidence, urge 

 their going. A company left Amherst the other day, and 

 when I saw husbands leaving their wives and children, it 

 fairly stirred every particle of blood in my veins, and made 

 me feel as ashamed as could be to be staying at home, 

 when there was no one in the world dependent upon me. 

 Don't think that I am fired with ambition or glory or any- 

 thing of the sort. An officer's position is a dangerous one, 

 and I cling too tenaciously to life and its pleasures to rashly 

 throw mine away. No such motive I assure you influences 

 me. I have not yet written to Mr. Robert, but shall await 

 replies from you and William [his brother], to whom I 

 write by this same mail, before sending to him. If you and 

 he think favorably of this, I shall hold myself in readiness 

 for whatever may turn up. 



Please write me as soon as convenient. Perhaps you had 

 better not say anything about this to Eliza [his sister] and 

 the rest of the family just at present, as it will only worry 

 them. Your aff. brother, 



Henry. 



From this letter it appears that he had made up his mind 

 as to his duty. His friends, however, thought he had bet- 

 ter complete his college course; and he reluctantly yielded 

 to their wishes, and gave increased attention to gymnastics 

 and military drill, which he afterwards said was of great 



