Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1862-07-17
and copy of the same be sent to the
family.
P. B. DARWIN,
J. E. SMITH, } ~
JOHN B. Fl. SMITH.

JOHN q. 1t. SM1Td. ..,-.:.
Among the killed in the late battle,
we have to record the name of our
young friend, who was well known and
esteemed throughout this District
The following letter from his elder
brother, gives the particulars, and
breathes true spirit Of resignation,
which should become all those, alas !!
how many, who have been alike be-
reaved. r.. - ....-....-
WINDER HOSPITAL, July 6, 1852.
>. Dear Father and Mother Il take
my pen in hand to inform you of the
death of brother Johnnie fell while
galantly charging a battery Of II guns.
Tongue cannot tell the anguish Of, my
heart this evening; this is apainful let
ter to pen. But, alas, he is gone,
where the boom of cannon and clash of
arms will disturb him no more he lived
a few minutes after he received the ia
tai shot; my heart breaks to think Of
it, but lam constrainedto say, thy will,
oh God, be done. The last act of
kindness that 7 was permitted to show
him, was last September, when l helped
him in the train to 60 to Richmond,
sick. I said then that I should never
see him again, and so the Lord has seen
fit, in His will, to separate us for the
last time. IF I could just have seen
him, it would have been algreat salts
faction to me but I am grati6edr to
know that he was taken off the battle
field and buried near the camp. But 1
hope you are prepared to hear this sad
intelligence. I was expecting to hear
it when I did; he had passed through
several engagements unhurt, but his
time had come. Dear parents, this was
all foretold to me before he came back
to service, for since the time he was dis
charged to the present, he was in my
mind more than any of the rest Of the
family, and Ifelt that we were parted
to meet no more, in the land Of the
living. But he died the death he was
willing to die, while struggling for lib
erty. But, dear father and mother, we
must humble ourselves under the affict-
ing hand of Providence, knowing that
he rnles all things well, and that he
giveth and taketh away. Doubtless,
you have heard it before this reaches
you but it is my duty to tell you all l
know about it. No one can tell the
feelings of my heart, and Icame very
near saying that life was a burden to
me since he is gone, and can only be
gratifed IN knowing that he fell in a
noble cause-but his blood shall be a.
venged, when opportunity Offers if it is
ten years from date. Ibelieve Monday
made six battles t,r him, and no doubt
he killed a good many of his enemies:
His knapsack was sent to me, and, |
don't think 1 could have felt worse if I
had seen his mangled body. Twill send
his effects home by the first chance; l
will keep Bells picture that found in
the knapsack, as think l am entitled
to it, now. Dear father and mother
and family, I hope you will rally your
courage together, and humble your
selves under the affecting hand Of Prov
idence, knowing that He rules all things
well. Jackson Parker sleeps near by
him, they first started together, and it
seems they were allowed to share the
same fate on the field of action. But
I will close for this time, write soon.
Your afectionate Son, .
W. J. SMITH.