Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-14
From the Asheville News
Death Of Col. William H. Hardy.

From the Asheville News.
Death Of Col. William II. Hardy.
Our entire community was painfully ex-
cited on Saturday last, at the announce
ment es the death of the gallant and most
estimab le young man whose name stands
at the lead of this article. He was the son
of our esteemed townsman, DR.. j. f. E.
Hardy, and was acting as special Aid to Col.
kershaw, of South Carolina. Col. Hardy
was in the battle Of Bulls Run on Thursday
the 18th, and passed through it unframed.
in the bloody battle of Sunday the 21st
he sealed mis- devotion to his native land
with his lite. No particulars are known,
further han that be was shot through the
head and died instantly, while fearlessly
performing his dangerous duty son the field.
A letter to his parents has been received,
written on the morning of the battle, in
which he ex presses his entire readiness to
meet death, if it should be his fortune to do
so in the discharge of the sacred duties he
owed to his country.
No event has over spread over this entire
community a more profound feeling of sad
ues. Young in years-not above 21--Col.
Hardy was univs rsaly beloved, not only for
his noble and ma aly qualities, but also for
those less attractive but more endearing
virtues which fits I'd him so eminently to
adorn the home c. rcle, and rendered him so
dear to those VIII o enjoyed an intimate ac-
quaintance with him. He was born and
reared in this place, and we believe it can
be truthfully said, he never had an enemy.
The afflicted faraily have the warmest
sympathy of the community and while all
are sad at the loss; of one so young, so gifted,
and so full of pro N Use, none can appreciate
the a~ffllction and bereavement of the parents
and immediate faruily of the noble martyr to
liberty.-Their gri.f is sacred-too deep
for common place co1ldolence-too holy to be
obtruded upon. May God in his good
ness temper the blast to the strick en-
ones.
1t has been we'll said the patriot soldier
can never die Blu llets and b~ayonets may
STAY the body ; the soul they cannot hurt.
Pure as the overha aging armament from
which their spirits look down upon US,
bright as the stars which illumilae it's inn
- ue1~-4anita9Ie space.
the spirits of tae Just can never die. Every
generous heart feels a pang of agony as we'll
as pride to see many a mothers darling. the
laughing dimples of youth yet upon his
beardless cheek, rush gaily by to the scene
of strife aud blood, and hot tears rush to-
eyes unused to weep at the thought of that
fair head pillowed. on the bloedy tart, and vet,
where could mortal die as we'll ? PITY the.
desolate ones at home; but for him, the death
tnat must have come at last and torn him
reluctant from the earth, he had gone brave
ly forth to meet, and in the virtue and val
or of self-sacrifice, has robbed it of its sting
and despoiled, the grave of its victory
When Wolfe, on being told that the French
retreated, exclaimed, 4 die happy he ex-
pressed, no doubt the feelings of every true
hero as he looks his last upon the earth and
feels that he has not died in vain. Happy
IN being a benefactor, at the cost of his own
life, to his native land and to humanity
happy in knowing that he viii be remem-
bered with love and gratitude, and that he
himself will be permitted to look down and
see how from his blood will spring the
~life-giying plants Of freedom, independ-
ence, and happiness to his country.
How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
BY all their country's wishes blest
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She then shall dress a sweeter sod,
Than Fancyss feet have ever trod,
Byfairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There honor comes, a pilgrim grey,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there,
Since the foregoing was written we have
been permitted to read the following letter
from Col. Edward Wallace, of Kershaw's
Regiment. The anxiety of a wide circle of
friends to learn the particulars atten ding
the death of Col. Hardy, will plead a suff-
cient excuse for the publication of a private
letter.
STONE Badge, July 23d, 1861,
Dear S~:-I have been requested by Col.
Kershaw, who is uphble to write himself on
account of the nu9srous duties which do
volve upon him, to'Ihfor1n you OF Tue nivran-
cholly death of yeur son William. The par
ticulars of his death ere as follows: When
f Col. Kershaw's Regiment was in the neat of
the engagement, he dis atched Willie to a
Virginia Regiment, Commanded by Col Pres
ton, in order TO brin.it to its proper position.
: As he was returning at the head of the Reg
iment. he was ~fredtupon by one of the Fed
eral soldiers, conceded in a clump of woods,
through which they had to pass. He sur
vived only a fewlminutes after he was shot
: He was taken Immediately to a I place where
e his body could be recovered after the battle,
which has sincd been done. His body has
been Temporarily inferred, and will be sent,
\ as soon as a buialcase can be procured, to
your residencel He died diseharging his
duty nobly and manfully, but his death has
thrown a gloon over all of his numerous
friends, detracting, in a great measure, from
J, the pleasure We would otherwise feel in the
/ glorious victory which our nation obtained.
Nobly he lived and nehly died, and it may
y be a mournful pleasure to you to know tha
so universally was he esteemed that hi
n death is monfned by the whole Regiment
as if he were a near relative of each ind
vidual.
Yours, in deep sympathy,
re EDWARD WALLACE,
r Abide Camp Of Col. Kershaw.
er P. Sly Dear SRI fully endors
n, al that Wallace has said of your noble boz
m God bless you and Mrs. H., and soften th
! terrible blow. Your Friend,
j. B. KERSHAW.
es To DR.. j. I. E. HARDY, Asheville, N. c..
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