Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-05-26

EuIosx delivered ever tine Remain. Of
Capt. Bafgwlh. ~ y. @. vvraght. Esa.,
Published by request Of d number Of Citixe.s.l
CffizENs AND SOLDIERS!
Bv YOUR, request ] am here to-day to pro-
n6unce few farewell words Over the remains
! Of the lamented dead, ere they are given to
the grave now ready for their reception. Yet
a few hours more and the fresh dust will rest |
on the perishable part of him, who, by the
gentle virtues of his life and the chivalrc cour-
age OF his death, has left a name which his
friends Will hallow in their memory, and his
country will write in living letters on the Ia
blets of her glory.
With pious purpose, we have come to offer
the last sad rites of sepulture to the intrepid
soldier who died fighting for the honor of his
country's flag in far distant land, and has
been borne h:ther to find appropriate repose
in the bosom of this his natal SOIL And
where could there be more fit repository for
such sacred relics Born under this sky, it
was here a fathers hand was wont to lead
him, a mothers smile to cheer him, and all the
homebred affections of his heart went gush-
ingly forth to all around him.
While, then, with reverent Joy we receive
his Wondering remains, it is meet that IN this,
the hour of his obsequies, we should dwell
for few moments on the varied exceliencles
of his character pause not to tell the story
of his earlier years, when the germ OF that ma
ture which was subsequently so beautifully,
aye, so gloriously developed. was visibly dis.
closing itself, but pass on to that period when
first he took the step which fixed him for his
country. Entering her Military Academy ere
vet the term of his boyhood was over, he at
once devoted himself to the literary and scien-
~ nc we'll tho Dro ct1ral exercises
there taught, with an ardor which did not fail
TO reward him with accomplishments which
ever dignity the man and adorn the soldier
In this institution, where your Mckee, your
Swift, and other bright particular stars"
first caught those rays of professional splendor
which were afterwards reflected with so much
lustre on the Town that gave them birth, he
found fit nursery for his genius and his viz.
tues, and cas- the sun ere It is risen sometimes
paints its image in the sky" so did he, even
then, 10 all discerning eyes, distinctly show
his future.
: After graduating in 1880, with distinguish
ed success, he forthwith adopted the profess
, sion Of arms, and upon the organization of the
first regiment of Dragons destined for the
frontier service, he received the unsolicited
appointment of Leutenancy.
, 1t is true that for many years thereafter his
f life was not signalzed by aught OF heroic ex-
ploit notwithstanding his line of duty was oft
times arduous and perilous still none who
knew him doubted his readiness and suticlen-
cy to dare and do all that might become man.
, And well did he sustain this estimate of his
character, when, in after time, the hush OF
peace was disturbed by the call 10 arms, and
the tocsin of war was heard through the land.
Blending his fortunes with those of his coun-
try, her honor became his, her cause his own,
and in obedience to her behest, he eagerly
sought the field against her foe. With spirit
which, like the Eagle Of the Republic, was
ever soaring aloft, his watchword was "On-
ward,' and believing that " the one best omen
is to fight for our country" he, who in more
tranquil times had been the ornament of the
camp, became the model man of war.
To the annalist Of the land, leave the re-
cital of deeds which nave become historic, and
have emblazoned our escutcheon with imper-
ishable renown. But if you ask me for proof
! of the Justice of the praise bestow on the la
mented BuRcw1N, then 60 with me to the pass
e of Embuda, where his Spartan spirit encoun-
q tered and conquered foe fourfold his superior
. in force, and so linked his name with the he
roism displayed at this modern Thermopyle as
o to make its mountain sides and SUBMITS the
y enduring monuments Of his glory. Follow
4 me on to the bloody field of Taos, and mark
= him well Hearken 10 his quick commanding
! word. See how gallantly he leads his van
# guard to the charge look with what proud
4 scorn of death he takes the post of peril 10
n himself against fortressed foe, while the
storm of war is abroad in its anger, and tell me
# was ever courage made of sterner stuff than
i this Never, answers the glad hurrah which
rang throughout that field, red with the blood
of our brave sodiery, and over which was
n made to wave in starry triumph, the gloriou.
r. flag of our country.
But turn from such scene as this, all "a.
diant with splendid achievement as it is fol-
i the dark cloud of death hovers DER its glory
s and twas here that he whom we honor look.
j. ed his last on earth, while his freed spirit went
up to the God who gave it. Another and
more pleasing picture is before u.s. Let us
!. gaze on it for moment in tender admiration
ere we turn from the dead forever poin,
n YOU TO the character of him whose loss we
e deplore, and feel assured that in It's complete.
l. ness and perfection there is abundant solace
d for our sorrow. Would that my powers were
t adequate to its portrayal, for then might pre-.
1t sent you with portrait on which every eye
e would love 10 linger and which would be al.
Is together worthy of my theme.
:, Gifted with an intellect vigorous and inqui.
Al sitive, he had so enriched his mind with the
n treasures of learning, as to entitle him to an
e intellectual equality with the most elevated oil
"a his comrades in arms. Singularly modest, fol
T. one OF his superiority. he offended none, and
u thereby placed himself beyond the reach oil
"a envy, while the eminent excellence of his head
u and heart ever commanded for him an &C.
- knowledged presidency over most of those
l. around him. Possessed of the most unsulIied
le purity of character, no sordid impulse ever
moved him, no grovelng emotion ever deba.
N sed him. Frank. guilelcss, and generous, all
le hearts were unlocked for bis reception, and
IN every tongue was quick to speak his common.
ID dation. Truth and honor were ever the gui.
at ding stars of his life and he scorned alike the
te look and language of dlssimulation, for his
IN was an honest heart that never wronged Z
Re friend or Stunned foe'
:. Such was he to the world at large. But i
:. was only in the home he loved so tenderly
- that the subimer excellence of his characte
= was seen, and there, in that sanctuary of hi
=, affections, he had erected an altar, on which
y he avished every oblation that the heart coul
,S offer. And oh how truly does that wall O
81 wo, which there is heard like requiem TO
the dead, attest at once the sorrow of tn
mourners and the merit of the mourned. Vain
however, must be my every effort to give yo
any just analysis of his character, and vaine