Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-11-25
From the Hilsborough Recorder
Death of Col. William r.. McMenneI

Among the first volunteer companies that re-
sponded to the call of the Governor of North Caro-
lima in the war, was the Flat River Guards from
Orange county. OF this company Col. William E.
McMannen was then Second Lieutenant They
were attached to the 9th regiment of State Troops
under Col Fisher, promptly taking the oath to serve
during the war. Lieut. McMannen proved himself
faithful and efficient officer during the time that
the regiment was in camp of instruction. About
the 10th of July, 1861, they were hurried to Vir-
ginia to reinforce Gen. johnson at Winchester.
The trials Of the regiment in that march were very
severe Before they had time to rest from their
fatigue, the forced march to Manassas was begun.
From Winchester to Piedmont there was an awful
amount of suffering, the men were then unused
to such privations and such exhaustng marches.
Through all of this Lieut. McMannen bore a brave
and cheerful heart On the 2lst he went with his
company to the bloody field. He entered his first
battle with noble determination and courage. In
that sanguinary shock, in which his devoted Col
one fell, he braved the leaden storm and manfully
rallied his men to the charge. In the evening, when
the impetuouS attack was made on the enemy's
right, he with fragment of his regiment Joined in
the victorious advance; and when their columns
broke and fled, ne, with the young soldiers enthu-
siasm, followed in the pursuit. until his exhausted
frame sank down for repose on the field of his
triumph. Exposed he was that night and the
day following his constitution was assailed by
disease which baflled all the skill of his physicians,
gradually wthered his hopeful proSpectc, and pre-.
pared MIN for a soldiers rest in the tomb For a
long while he would not resign, hoping to be re-
stored But in the last of October he bid adeu to
his comrades of the glorious old 9th, on the banks
of the Potomac, and sought the comforts and rest
of home. There his health having improved some
he was made Colonel of the 45:h Regiment of
Militia, with directions to superintend the draft
In attending 10 this duty he contracted fresh cold
and from that time rapidly gave way to the ravages
of In tha If I,,I1, he
to the Rockbridge Alum Springs, but it soon ap-
peared that his days were numbered There, among
friends though strangers he closed his brief career
on the 14th Of August, 1862 in the 22J year of his
age, leaving to his sorrowing friends at home and
comrades in the army the inspiration of the patriotic
example, the eloquence of a soldiers duty and the
beauty and consolation and glory of Christians
death. Cheerful generous and kind hearted warm,
faithful and noble in his friendships brave daring
and true soldier; there were traits in his char
acer too good to be forgotten, too worthy not to be
initiated by those who would lie what they should
TO country, friends and Heaven. Most of all would
we lnger around the sacred scene of his tranquil
death. The stiffness of his soul in its trust on Col
was beautiful the repose of the lake in the morn
ing when no wave rutflGs its bosom save the kisses
of the breezes that tell of the glorious rising sum-
1t the peace which hope gathers from the trea-
sure house of the Immortal, and which the hand of
mercy sweetens and brightens with JOY from the
of faith, and God had answered in a voice of love-
He had given God his heart and God gave his heart
peace, joy, strength, victory, Heaven, His last
words were Though walk through the dark valley
of the shadow of death, will fear no evil, for thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me-" May the
Father of sympathy be tender to his weeping wife
and children and shed on them and others who sor-
row around his grave the soothing blessings of the
Christians faith, till they all have joined their lost
one where the voice of is unheard forever, and
peace that is full of happiness reigns through ages
that never end
Hark! bark! to the shrill trumpet calling,
1t perces the soft summer AIR;
Tears from each cumrade are falling,
For the widow aud orphan there.
The bayoneis earthwsrd turning,
Aud the drums mufilsd breath rolls arou nd
But he hears not the voice of them mourning,
Nor awukes At the bugles sharp sound.
Sleep soldier! though many regret thee
Who stand by thy cold bier to-day,
Soon, soon will the kndeSt forget thee
And thy name FROM earth pass away.
The man thou dIdst love a BROTHER
friend in thy stead will have gained,
Thy dog shall keep watch for another,
And thy steed by stranger be led.
Though the hearts that mourn for thee sadly
Soon joyous ever shall be,
And thy bright orphan girl will laugh gladly,
As she sits comrades kind knee;
But there Is one that will still pay the duty
Of tears for the true and the brave
As when first in the bloom of her beauty
She wept DER the soldiers grave.