The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-23
OBITUARY.
Lieut.. John j. McKaim.

Among those who have consecrated their services
and lives to the cause of independence and sealed
the offering with blood, there is who will be
membered by his friends with wormer feelings of love
and admiration than the gallant Lieutenant JOHN
JAMES McKAIN, of the Camden Volunteers-Capt
Kennedy-2d Regiment s. c. w., in Virginia
Comparatively young in years, he espoused the
cause OF his State and section and most jealous
in promoting the initaory steps towards the secession
and severance Of South Carolina from an odious and
intoerable connexion with government called the
United States"
When the nationality and sovereignty of South Car
ona was denied and scorned at Washington, and the
caution from Commissioners sent to negotiate for
an Acknowledgements" to guard the harbor," in COM
mon with most of our young and gallant spirits he
promptly enrolled his name for immediate service on
the coast and was prominent in aiding the organiza-
tlon OF the Camden Volunteers and when that noble
company OF brave young hearts was ordered to guard
the gates of the Queen City, with cheerful haste the
summons was obeyed; and after the fall of Sumter.
Capt Kennedys company was among the first if not
the first from South Carolina to volunteer practice
vice in the "Old Dominion"
In all their services whether in the field of instruc-
tlon or on the march, or in the of deadly strife
when comes 1" the tug of war;" our young friend dis
played those qualities which endeared him to his
friends and ranked him amongst the bravest and no.
blest defenders of his home and birthright. He
passed through the fearful ordeals of Bull Run and
Manassas, unscathed and permitted to enjoy sew
eral reunions at home with friends and loved ones,
subsequent to that event.
In all his relations to society he acted well his part
and was noted for his energy and intelligence in bust.
ness matters and public enterprises.
The writer of this feeble tribute knew him well and
intimately, and loved him much and can bear tes,i-
mOny to his noble manly character and generous dis
position. ,,t-
1t is not surprising that he should be among the
martyrs Of glorious cause for like others of u.s.
trust he felt the sublime sentiment that he would
either see his country Free or shed his last drop Of
blood to make her So"
"Better the fire upon thee roll
Better the blade, the shot, the bowl,
Than cruci6xon Of the soul"
On picket, we are told that he fell by the hand of
the assassin foe who has dared to polute soil by
his unhoy tread whose touch is at our temple door
and worse than the savage end leaves desolaton and
ruin in his track But there is day of retribution at
hand when just and Holy God will give US the vic.
tory when for every drop of patriot ffeemans blood
thousand of the foes will be she'd or our indepen.
dence full and unequivocal will be acknowledged
Bruised and bleeding hearts only be healed by the
kind hand of time and friendly sympathy 1t is CRATE
full however, to remember, even in our deepest afc-
ton, that "earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot
heal"
May He who alone can heal bind up the broken.
hearted ones who mourn loved gone. Noble,
generous and brave we lament our brothers DEATH
but consoled by the thought that "is sweet to die
for ones country" at the post Of duty, defending her
social honor, like the undaunted patriot who dies,
With his back to the field and his feet to the foe
And leaving in battle no blot on his name,
Look proudly to Heaven from the death.bed of fame"
HavdesvaIe, May 10, 1862. w.