Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-11-06

GEORGE WILKES thus describes the
late Col. Bakers Grafton over the dead
BODY of BRopER-CK:-
THE empire city Of the Western
Ocean was stepped in gloom at the con-
temptation of the monstrous deed. All
trade was stopped; no sound of hustle
was heard along the street; and, by
common consent, without pageant or pa
rade or any sound but the low, measured,
muffied throb of the church bells, the
detected people, walking as if they al
most held their breaths, gathered in the
main square, and formed them elves,
ike so many shadows round the bier.
At the foot of the coffin stood the priest;
at its head, and So lie could gaze freely on
the face Of bis dead friend, stood the
pale figure Of the orator. Both Of them,
the living and the dead, were self made
men; and the son OF the stone-cutter,
lying in mute grandeur, with record
floating round that coffin which bowed
the head of the surrounding thousands
down in mute respect. might have been
proud Of tho tribute which the weaver's
apprentice was about to lay upon bis
breast. For minutes after the vast aud
fence had settled itself to hear his words,
the orator did not speak. He did not look
in the cofin-nay, either to the right nor
left; but the gaze of his fixed eye was
turned within bis mind, and the still
tears coursed rapidly down bis check
Then, when the silence WAS the most in
tense, his tremulous voice rose like wall
and with an uninterrupted steam of loc
tv, burning and pathetic words, he so
penetrated and possessed the hearts of
the sorrowiug multitude, that there was
not one cheek less moistened than his
own. For an hour he held them rs with
a spell; and when he finished, by bend
ing over the calm face of the noble corse,
and stretching his arms forward with an
impressive gesture, exclaimed, in CULVER
ing accents, GOOD friend, brave heart
gallant leader. hail and farewelr' the
audience broke forth in gencra' response
OF sobs.
Upon the writer of this article, per-
haps, the tidings of his loss fell with a
more startling effect than upon any per-
son else. 1t was our good fortune &c
kcow Col. Baker well, and we had the
honor to entertain him as our guests at
dinner, on an afternoon in the month of
August last. On that occasion, when VIC
expressed I'm view of the recent disaster
at Manasses) q natural concern as to the
department of his troops, he said: "Wilk-
es, | have some peculiar notions as to
the part am to play in this extraordi
nary war; and want you to bear in
mind that what I now say to you is
not tie result of any idle fancy or vague
impression. 1t is doubtful il | shall ever
again take ms seat in the Seratew To
the look of surprise which | turned upon
him at this expression he replied, a am
certain | shall not live through this war.
and if my troops should show any want
of resolution, shall fall in the first bat
tie. / cannot afford, after my career in
Mexico, and as Senator of the United
States, to turn my face from the enemy -
There was no gloom or depression in his
manner, but it was characterized by a
temperate earnestness which made deep
impression on nv m5n!-
Lo! before October has shed its leaves,
his sword lies upon his pulseIess breast,
and his tega has become the eorements of
the grave.
"Good friend! brave heart gallant
leader. hail and farewell"