Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-13
For the Enquirer,
Edmund Fontaine, Jr.

Now, that the din ind fury Of the battle Geld irarc passed
away, let US pause a moment and paw a tribute to The mem
DRY OF one OF the brave heroes who fell in the battle at Ma
nassas. The Presidents brief telegraph had told Us On sun
dag that We had won "a brilliant Blu; dearly bought vic
tory " bu, We had not realized how dearly bought until on
Monday, when The telegraph announced TO US The DEAN Of
our carly schooLmate and dearly loved friend.
IN the rcar 1928. bu. moved to Richmond in 1859, 10 com.
plete his preparation for the University, under the gallant
Col. George s. Patton, now Of kanswha county. In 1870
he entered the University, where he spent two sessions, and
then returned 10 Hanover, where he WAS settled on his
farm, from wNich he was summoned 10 the bloody bnttie
Reld. lie had been a mcmber Of the Hanover troop and
Was made Sergeant. Major Of the Regiment, to which that
conpany was attached. On the 2lst, when the enemy com
menccd the r retreat. his regiment was ordered to make a
charge In pursuit The Sergeant-Msjors placc was In the
rear, but his lmpetuou5 gali1ntry soon brought hin TO the
front BY the side Of tbs Lleu.enan: who headed the charge.
They had Just reached the enemy, who fred from behind a
fence n vol!ey, one ball Of which struck Edmund's sword
belt and passed through hun. He wa, supported from the
bus.le field by his cousin and another memner OF the Han
over Troop, both OF whom he begged TO leave him on 'he
Geld and 10 back In pursuit OF the enemy. Soon afterwards
ne fell Into a deep sleep from exhaustion. When he aTose
the iast~sen,hi love to his family and ttieuds. his dying
message 10 his mother was, tell mother / have always triea
heading o charge. lie then prayed almos. necessarily TIL
he die1-havins survived his wounds for twelve hours.
The writer, from an Intimate acquaintance WIN tne ue.
ceased for the past eigh. years, Is enabled TO tRy WITH truth
that no man had warmer or more devoted friends. And
no man better deserved them. He possessed tbs charac.
tefistics OF his HusutEot b'ood-hew was warm In ha suec-
tlonE, brave and generous in III, impulses. hrn H. his friend
ships and convictions. and yet possessed that rarest OF VIZ,
tues, q willingness TO acknowledge IN error. 10 IN, NoFo
he strictly yelled lis Inner feelings; bu, feZ were atniEeo
to his confidence, and 81 Is by that chosen lew that ne was
most beloved. A humorous faculty, especially LOT 'he
mLck-heroic, made HIN q choice companion. Ills head was
not Inferior To his heart. Ills University career was soc'
cessful enough TO show What moro encrlr could have ac,
complished. 1n person he Was small, but handsome, wen
formed aud active; and he possessed tue usual manly nc
c~o,1pishIR' n3 OF our tlmeG. In short, ne was the peFsoti-
hcatiou OF that Inuch.abu. ed term-Ns O1 Virginia GEN.
temQa.
When he formed his political views, he became n warm
States Rights nan, and was ready to defend his views WIN
tocgue or sword. in matters Of religion he was reserved
and spoke but rarely Of hi, views; but he had thought mnch
on the subject, especially since the commencement Of tne
war. When we went to Manassas, both he and many Of his
return alive, and this thought. klndled by the remembrance
Of his early religion, education d. his mothers knee, had
great influence on hs mind. He died "not ~ one without
hope"
Such 10 his life and Ia his death was EDMCND F0NTh1SE,
Jr, Of the heroes Of MsnAssss, 70: whom these lines OF Col
uns' seem intended:
How sleep the brave, who SILK 20 rest,
BY ali their country's wishes blest.
When Spring, with deIy iocers cold.
Returns to deck their hgIloSrl mould.
she then shall dress a sweeirr sod
Tam Fancy's feet hare ever trod.
nv Fairy haad. their knell is wrung,
By forms unseen their dirre Is sung
There Honor CONES, j pi grim gray,
TO dres, the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
10 dwell a weeping hermit there.
When We think OF our friend, We can, from IN Identity Of
Circumstance, realizc those lines OF the Laureate:
This truth csm. borne with bier aud pail,
felt II, whenI sorrowed most,
TT. better 10 have loved and Lost, g..
Than never t, have loved At all.