Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-12-22
For the Advertiser,

Mn. EDIroR Though it is rather unusual, you
mugt permit mo to write few lines in your columns
about very worthy negro, who is now no more.
Seymour, the attached faithful body servant of the
late Col. Pierce NJ Butler died at the age of 80, in
Columbia, on Wednesday the 18th utr OF consump-
tion tho first symptoms of which manifested them
selves at tho Island of Lobos, whilst the Army was
congregating there for its descent upon Mexico. IL
pny be said therefore, that he lost his life by dis
easo contracted in the dutul service Of his master
and his country.
Seymour had indeed, many qualities, which would
have done honor to the fairost complexion. The
fidelity of his nature unshakcn in every situation
and in every hazardous emergency. He had accom-
panied his MASTER and remained fast by him through
ont his term of service as Indian agent prior to the
Mexican war; and, if he did not share equally with
him, ho yet chserfuly bore his part Of the dlfhcu.
ties privaons and dangers Of that nrduous service
And when COL Butler appeared on the stage, az the
rcvered and renowned land still moro to be renowned)
leader Of the Palmetto Regiment, Seymour, too' mp
penred by his sde of his own free choice, ready 10
encounter all the perils by sea and by land, which
were to environ his beloved maserto cover his name
with halo of glory, and to smbalrn his memory in
the affections of postery lie was present in oil the
marches and counter and in all the battles,
in which our great Colonel participated, from the
ssige of vera Cruz to the fatal victory of Churubuf
co. which sgnalized the South Carolina Volunteers to
after ages and consecrned their chivalrous comman-
der with soldiers death and an immortal wreath.
Seymour was then tho only one of the CulonePi
l
servants left to wntch his body, for Charles, hit
other negro, having been sometime sick and droop-
ing when be henrd of his masters fall, yielded him
self up in few hours to dependency and the grave
On the day after the battle, the writer of this called
to gee the old servant and asking him how he did, re
ceivcd no other answer than this "very bad-you'
uncles dead,"-(using the name by which be ofter
designated hs master to the younger oficera)-"ane
1 can't live my longer-here's no use for it now."
Seymour accompanied the remains Of oar Chief t
the bosom of South Carolina, md saw them delivered
to the Committees appointed to do them honor. III
never left his sacred charge for d solitary moment
until his whole duty was fulfilled, though acciden
sometime, separated him from the gallant officers
who made it their business to guard tho ashes of Caro-
liua's noble Captain; and though it became necessa
ry occasionally for him to deiray he expenses Oh a'
elling and of repairs to the cofns, from his own SOW
ings, ut long distance from homo.
His benlth was so impaired on his arrival in Edge
icld that the family permitted him to follow the eas
occupation of barber. This he did till his deatt
making friends Of all his customers, eciting tho re
spect of the community, and paying his wages wit
the puncuality Of person of refined aensibilities
The honest negro here recorded, WINS we'll know
among US for many years. During the Mexican wal
the attention Of the whole Regiment was constant
drawn to him. and from that period until bis depal
ture from earth his course Of conduct was speciall
marked in this section of the State, and nought hi
ever been alleged against him, eithor by white men
black ones Mt homo or abroad, the march or in tt
bvouac, or in the camps, in the field His behavie
in his situation, was rs uneIceptiOnabe as that {
tho rnrest character among white men, and there nj
few unobtrusive living citizens Of any color, who wi
better merit an cptaph md tribute, than tho hun
BILE slave who has deserved this passing notice. u
was warmly recognized by the lamcnted Gen. Qui
man, on his late visit to Columbia; and his nan
would do no dishonor to the shaft that marks II
deeds of soldiers and tho genuine servants Of the
country. MILES.