Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-06-14
For the Adrertiser,


MENT. "-''' -
SERGT. VIM. b. TIER BLOCKER.
NO. xiv. ~
A bold and daring youth he was-and kind in
heart
By nature generous, and full ofiwarlike fire..
OLD PLAY.
We read in the history Of our State of
the heroic achievements Of Sergeant Jas
per. South Carolina may register in her
annals the name of another young hero,
whose chivalric characre er aud gallant deeds
shine with equal sp!endor. and add like
Iuslre to the national escutcheon--we al
lude to Sergeant Blocker, of Company D.
Edsefeld District. His name is already
smblazoned on the bright page Of history,
and to recur, in after times, 10 his heroic
virucs will he District aud Stale pride.
In The daily walks Of life. or in the. be-,
terogeneous mass Of large army, We
rarely meet with youth endowed with an
union of so many excellent qualities. He
was in The just sense Of the terms. de-
lightful companion, high minded gentle-
man, true patriot, and a gallant soldier:
Those acquainted with him in civil life
nigh, have discovered, in his frank and:
generous nature. traces Of these eminent
virtues; buti was left TO the trying scenes
and novel situations Of long and arduous
campaign TO give them their full and pros
per Development.
We say he was pleasant companions.
Sergeant Blocker was, indeed, the delight
nf every circle that he entered; and
Ia knou ha al
ceiyed cordial and a hearty welcome.
His approach was usually announced by a
Joyous hum, or merry whistle. His
flow of cheerfulness and humor was most
uniform aud constant. a.s..ft-
If. his spirits ever tagged, it was more
than any one could discover, even in the
performance Of duties naturally disagreea-
hle. or under circumstances strongly ,calcu--
lated 10 vex or cross the temper, With
" hat delight have his comrades, been
heard to dwell on his merry heau--his.
social glee-and his exhaustless, fund Of
humor How often has be been known by
his irresistible gayety and humor 10 break
The slumbers of his messmates-and to
keep them in wakefu raprures foi more
than half the night Nor was this the re-
suit of fits Of gIeefulness that soos passed
of with feelings Of corresponding depres.
sion; but it arose from constitutional
gayety Of disposition, that worked itself
into action every day aud every hour. 1t
was born in him and through him, and .itrr
came from him as natural as the words
that fell from his lips. glte.
The commander Of his company has
been frequently heard TO say of Blocker,
he would not exchange him for. auy dozen
men in the army, This vas remarked Of
him not ouly on account Of his exIraordi-
nary companiouable qualities, but likewise
for the great despatch and ,.cheerfuluess,
which he eviuced in the discharge of all
his duties. In these he was as willing aad
ready 10 act, as he was scrupulously strict
in their performance. Aud co man could
do as much as he, 10 the same. space OF
time. Activity was his very nature. To
obey, also, was a principle thatseemed 10
be Inherent, and; had no doubt been care, y;
fully inc0icared- IN INN fFo1Is
board. twas he delight or his nature 10
execute in the highes, degree Of cheerful:
ness. all the commands of those. who had a.
right to give them lin the which he. gave
evidence Of a virtue as rare as it is IN eve-
ry way worthy of the highest commenda-
ton. In the soldier ills all virtue.
To say that Blocker was brave would
not be 10 distinguish him from very many
Of bis comrades, nor to mark the peculiar,
tiles Of his personal cosrase. To say that
he was brave and gallant, would still DO
10. sound only half his praise, ns together
with these shining qualities there was in.
rerminglcd so much generous enthusiasm
so much cool daring-and such bold and
noble spirit, as to render these qualities 10
him. altogether peculiar and remarkable.
lilo Was in the hour Of danger remarkably
cool-yet Re was eminentIy daring. He
was calm. y,t boldly enthusiastic. He
had all the GOODNESS Of Ney, and Tho dash-
ing ardor Of Murat. Like these ooted
heroes. he had. also. another quality,
which, among warlike virtues, is the rarest
of the rare. lie was not only brave and
daring himself, hut he inspired all under
his influence with the same bold and intre-
piI spirit. He could lead mea into The
most dreaded dangers, if necessary, into
tue very. InOulU Ol tue sIuuhiHS Souaou'
This, with his popular virtues, fitted him
in au eminent degree, for military COM
mand. To govern men with ease, and 10
lead them on under the most fearful dan
gers, are two qualifications, which, alter
the ability TO plan and conduct campaign,
may be said to constitute the chief excel
Iencc Of military leader.
Blocker left home as second sergeant Of
his company. His many virtues, however,
soon pointed him out for higher post, and
he received the appointment OF Quarter
Master Sergeant of the Regiment-an Of
fee requiring the greatest pfomplitude and
activity. He filled this post as it had
never been filled before. displaying. such
constancs of attention to lis duties, and
such readiness TO accommodate, as to Sc
cure appreciation from all the officers, and
he highest applause from the whole Reg
imcnt. Profers Of promotion out of the
regiment were made TO him, but he per-
empIorily refused Them, declaring bis in
terlion TO remain with his regiment, and
% ,h,..> ,l,. c,r, o,'h his cntpr adea ~ bot