Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-09
rHE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.
Prom the Lynchb arg ylrginisD, q

from he Lyncnp Hk AS-~S
Mr. RSitor,-I have been kindly permitted BY the
family of Captain Charles Y. Blsckford, Of the VIE
Troop to send you the following extracts from two lei;
tsrs received from him. They form very touching tes-
tmony to the worth Of our departed friend, Mr. jane,
Chalmers. bad thought Of preparing for your pspsrs
brief notice Of his character - well - OF the cucum-
stances Of his death The accompanying paragraphs DO
this 90 much better, however than any obituary could
own reflections. W. H X.
FAIRFAX O. T., Sept SO-Hondsy.
SATURDAY night, about O'Clock was Startled BY the
intelligence that Chalmers had been shot and ba1iy
wounded down upon the outside line Of pickes. You
may well imagine the news sent pang to my heart 1t
turned out that be had been shot while riding bstween
the picket at Annsndsle and one about three miles
TO the right Of that point He was fired o.
xithout being halted and without any notice,
by two guns-in whose hands We have never yet
discovered We are unable say whether he fell vic
tim to the enemy, to the criminal negligence OF our
own pckets Be this may, be shot in very dan
geou SERVICE and In the full discharge Of bis duty The
ball entered bis left aIm breaking rather might say,
crushing both of the bones and then passing into bis
stomach he rode back some two miles 10 Annandale
before be dismounted. From Annandale he was re-
moved up Hrst to tavern about four miles from this
place aud on yesterday evening was brought up here
and il now quite comfortably quartered in Mr. Thomas
Law office. His was smputated yesterday evening,
lust below the elbow he bore the operation, As he has
all the intense pain be has susrcd-wth manly, Chris
tan for;itude-never complaining, but expressing the
utmost gratitude for tho least kindness
What derf ction the ball took after passing through
bis arm has not ye: been asceraned but the Fscu are
cined TO tho opinou that did not enter the cavity OF
the ston h. or otherwise ure any VITAL organ. God grant
that tboy may be correct Ia this opinion Al all events
he s lost 10 the service and 10 this company ~ own
loss you cannot veil understand. IA christian, a.
friend as soldier he stood unrivald and without 10
proacb His example alone was constant general or
der" intoxicating the duties Of CONSCIENTIOUS soldier
His loss cannot be repaired Oar only hope nov IL thai
tho lost to u.s. his precious life may be spared TO bis we
and family"
"Poor Chalmers died this morning at IL O'Clock He
crew nsensible at IL o'clock last night and gradually
faded away until be most truly 'fe asleep In Jesus
ca the sun arose Poor fellow But have no cause q
ssy poor" of him. for II there was ever spirit rct
ia an everlasting inheritance, bis was one He vas toe
good Tor this world and has reaptd the blessed re-
ard of seeng God held out to the "pure In heart
hi, death throws gloom over the whole camp ID
went hence 10 his long home, literally rejoicing 10 the
confidence that he was going home. Never DID zee
sny one to whom the lines
"And not wave Of trouble roll
Acos my peaceful breast
applied so truly GOD grant that my last days may b
Ike his His who'e walk and conversation was con
slant sermou-a perpetual demonstration OF the emo
bling IL auence Of religion. His example viii be felt snt
seen long after this war has ende and bis immediate
presence forgotten Angels have already welcomed him
TO tho abodes of the bessed5ut the gentle wave OF h
irau,pes upon the aoclsty around him will tell upon sh
| far shores of Eternity"