Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-07-10
The following historical sketch of Col MEAREs has
been prepared by friend
rn1 anston rTcnrea.

Col CASTOR Meares.
Though to die be inevitable yet man may fortunate
in the circumstances his DEATH If he be esteemed hap
py who dies in his bed oothed by the offices of love, how
much more fortunate he be deemed who, in the noble
discharge of the highest duty the citizen, falls upon the
field of battle So to die would be enough to redeem many
errors to expiae crime. So to die after well spent
le escaping protrscted suffering the soul in the exercise
of the Hottest functions and in the very signal vrue
lis enviable glorious death Weep, you wi
for gnomny that hides in the grave but for herosm ap
pause, not tears LAUREL not cyprus, song of triumph, not
the drge appropriate tributes Fame achieved fame
beyond the reach of casualty the record of honorable
life, With not single stain upon it's pages inheritance
for his children example for youth Such is the story
Of Col. Meares.
CASTOR heares, the Sd of dstingus shed towns
man, the late Wm B. Meares born March, 1921. From
Mr.. Bnghams school in Orange, he West Point in
49, where he remained cadet until his resignation in
August, 1910.
He read law first with Gov. Swain Chapel Hill, and
afterwards with Judge Pearson, hocksVle; he ad
mtted to the bar, Dec, AZ end obtained his Superior
Court cence the subsequent December In the spring CT
IA he emgrated southwestern Askansas he open
ed his Office attorney.
The war with Mexico ia '46 invited him to unexpected
He became Adutant of Col Yel's regiment, and
by the side of that gallant gentleman when he fell upon
the field Of Buena Vista The term for which his regiment
enlisted expiring COL meares returned to his pro
esson bot before he had received from his comrades
the compliment Of election to the rank of It. Colonel
COL Il. returned North Carolina Dec l848. where he
received from the people of Wilmington in recognition Of
his military services, costly sword. Entering part
the firm of Savage Meares, he engaged in gen
era commission business here for several years when he
retired rice plantation Brunswick river of which he
became joint proprietor with DR.. DeRosset, Jr. In 54 be
represented Brunswick in tie Assembly. In '55 Col NJ
went to New York and established with Dr. B. Watson the
firm Of Watson & Meares who proceeding very
successful business, chiefly with the South when he mad
of the North eliminated in the call of President Lin
coin for Il, 600 men to subjugate the South.
Coz. Meares did not hesitate moment recognizing the
justice Of cause he determined to draw in defence
tie sword he had received from hands His
ments hastily made and at great sacrifice of inter
est he South his heart with US that he became
not content until receiving commission rendered by Gov
Ellis he stood at the head Of his reg men ready to confront
the enemy.
Serving first upon the Potomac, Walkers Brigade and
then in North Carolina he recently ordered again
Virginia. Constituting part of Rpeys Brigade, he
engaged in the series of battles which have illustrated the
strategy Of Lee and the proves Of troops In the at
tack npon Eysons Mil his regiment suffered severely
Tuesday, July Gt 1862 in the evening" he slain being
struck by the fragment of a shell in the forehead.
In the year Col Meares married the eldest daughter
of DR.. A. J. DeRosset.
. In politics Col Meares Democrat.
of ability, he remarkable for sound judgment
rather than brliancy He good speaker in action,
discreet and resoute Distinguished for the correct
of his department and the purity of lis morals he al
ways commanded the public esteem In his domestic rela
tons he tender and devoted And rewarded by
bounded confidence and love- The attachment of his
friends aternal in strength. Lawyer, merchant plan
ter and sodierhe passed through the temptations peculiar
these several vocations with robes unspoted Honest
and just he leaves the recollection of wrongs to be
dressed by his children avenged by enemies
Col. IL ) wife and several children survive.