Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-29
Funeral Or s,iIti,n Pierce

We last week noticed the death of NIL
ton Pierce, who died at the 4th Vernon
Regiment Hospital at Camp Griffin, Va.
90 Friday the 10Th of November. His re-
mains were sent home and arrived at Wes,.
minister on Tuesday the 18th. A large
number Of his friends were at the depot 10
receive his remains which they conveyed
Immediately to his once happy home. The
body was then dressed in military su;t
and The inside of the coffin was literally
lined with flowers, and the outside was
trimmed with the same by bis female
| friends.
Ga "Wednesday at III O'clock, PRAYER
was made at the house of his father. and
the body was then conveyed to The church
where il was covered with the flag Of our
country, for which he laid down his lifr.-
A most able sermon was delivered by Rev.
Mr.. Foster of Westminster, y hich was fol-
lowed by prayer from Rev. Mr.. Stowe Of
Walpole, \. II. A procession was then
formed preceded by military company
led by the Westminster Cornet Band. and
followed by the hearse, containing the body
guarded by six soldiers followed BY The
mouraers and friends, keeping step to the
solemn strains of music, Ell proceeded to
the grave, where, just as the sun sank be-
bind the western hills, the last remains of
the noble youth were lowered TO their last
resting place en- earth. Thirty -faur guns
were then fired over the grave, when the
fand struck up lively strain, and with |
quick step all left him alone in his glory.
Il was the most solemn scene ever wit |
messed 10 he old town Of Westminster. !
The church was crowded TO overlooking /
with people from adjoining towns, who 4
came in to do honor to the remains Of
patriot soldier. The three large flags were
draped with mourning, and foated at half
mast; and the small flags on private DWELL
ings were trimmed with black. and as the
procession moved along anil the tones OF
the tolling bell, mingled with the solemn
strains OF music, one could not help being
impressed with a feeling Of s,lemnity which
be described.
Young Pierce possessed more than or
binary intelligence, and well understood the
affairs Of the country. He enlisted into the
grand army the day he was twenty
years OF age. One day his father asked
him why he enlisted, TO which be replied,
: Because my country calls, ard think it
my duty TO go in my country's deienee."
Ills letters were always of much interes,
md breathed the same spirit. His parents
having written to him expressive Of loneli-
less on account of his absence, he replied,
: You should not feel So but rather prond
hat you have a son willing to fight the bat
les of our country. If die, remember
lie in good cause" From the time of
,eing out, he seemed TO have an impression Z
bat lie should never return alive, as ex-
'ressioas 10 his letters often indicated. A
etter from Capt, Ataerton states that He $
vas beloved not Gully by all the soldiers, +
ut by all the officers of the regiment" Col !,
'toughton speaks of him in a similar man. 5
er, and had intended for him a promotion. Z
lis was probably the first military funeral $
yer held in the old patriotic town of West a
mister, and the demonstrate on speaks well 5.
the patriotism of the town where the "
rst blood of the Revolution was shed.