Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-23
He!p for the Soldiers.
July LIST, 1862.

I
was desirable to have lecture delivered at Rittres
Springs for the benefit Of our sick and wounded
soldiers Dr. Bl cknall addressed letter to Hon. ).
H. Wheeler, asking him to deliver the address,
The following interesting letter is the reply OF Mr.
Wheeler 1t will be seen that he suggests the 3Oth
inst,-the last Wednesday In July, for the delivery
of the lecture:-
MuRFREEsBoRo', N. c., July r.
NV Dear SIR
should have replied earlier to your suggestion
made last week. in behalf of the ladies and others
ut Kittrelrs Springs to deliver q lecture for the
benefit OF the sick and wounded soldiers OF North
Carolina now at Richmond, but for a more impe.
rous call to the bed side of sick and wounded friend
at Richmond from whence have just returned
The object intended by these ladies must find cor
dial response in every heart Twill comply with
their request at such time as may be agreeable to
you and them would il my convenience is al
lowed to be consulted, suggest Wednesday, the Both
inst, as a suitable time. | need not say that my
compliance has been more ready, from witnessing
the scenes of suffering and sorrow among the troops
of North. Carolina at Richmond. The recent appeal
Of COL Hoke and others, for aid from us, to them,
will not be UNDECIDED The ladies of Richmond
have done, and are doing all in their power. They
have, indeed been ministerng angels" but others
have claim to their kindness, as we'll as our own sui
fering soldiers nor should their kindness be taxed
too severely Never have passed such days, or
witnessed such suffering. saw there, the forms Of
manly strength prostrale; the eyes that once beam
ed with intellect and beauty closed in agony or in
sensioty.
After visiting my friend who had miraculously
escaped instant death, at his request went to the
hospital to see Col. Stokes-for he had served as
second in command in the same regiment As soon
| saw the PROSTATE form of poor Stokes, felt
that "hc had fought his last battle and soon would
join that
Mighty caravan
Which halts one night time in the vale Of DEATH"
The physician ard nurse stood mournfully by
him. HIS cheek had the palor Of death his eye
had lost its lustre, and his hand had the c!ammy
GOODNESS of dissolution. Yet at intervals he was
lucid. and answered with prolnptness. 1t was re-
marked that he needed stimulants. l asked him if
should procure some for him. lie replied OPEN
ing monrnfully his eyes, Eyes, should be very
thankful but others need stimulants more than l.
and you cannot get enough for all. DO not trouble
yourself for me-" These were the last words ever
heard from the lips of N. S. Stokes. How charac-
teristic of the mani The celebrated reply Of the
gallant Sydney on the fatal field of Zutphen, when
| he passed the cup of water from his own dying aud
parched lips, to those Of suffering soldier, cele-
brated by the poet and historian docs not exceed in
moral grandeur and sefsacrificng patriotism, this
last remark Of the lamented and gallant Stokes. Of
such are the Jewels of North Carolina and none will
be more bright than the name Of Stokes Sprung
from an ancestry lustrious for patriotism, for his
mother vas the daughter of the brave Col. Henry
Irwin, who fell at Germantown, in l777, and his
father (who vas Governor of N. c. in l830,) was a
prisoner of the Revolution-hisp patriotism early
displayed in naval services Of his country, and in
the war with Mexico. Although the name is en-
baned by Of the patriotic Counties Of the State,
it has now another charm.
"How sIeen the brave who sink to rest
With oil their cuuntry's honors best.
Returns to deck their allowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than fancy's feet have trod.
by fairy hands their knell is rung.
BY forms unseen. their drge is Jung,
| There Honor comes pilgrim gray,
! To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
| To dwell u weeping hermit there"
How severely has North Carolina been called on
to mourn, yet how long and bright will be the mus
ter roll she will.present to future generations. We
mourn the dead, and honor their memory; but We
should relieve the living wounded in the noble
cause. That your efforts and those associated with
you, will tend to this result, is the sincere wish O
Very respectfully yours,
JNO. II. WHEELER.
DIR. 6. W. BLAcKNALL, Kittrelrs Springs N. G.