Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-11-10
The Insr Honrs on General NTlIcheI. the

to mourn the loss of brighter, nobler
character than General 0. NJ. Mitchell
As hero, patriot, and Christian, he stands
pre-eminent Not a word of detractiOn
from his many high and honorable quail
ties has ever been whispered to the world.
Friends can hardly find words to express
their love and admiration, while foes dare
not breathe slander upon his fair name.
Known Familiarity and lovingly byhis men
as d" Old Stars" his spirit has winged its
fight up through the sublime cOnstella-
tions, whose mysteries he loved to pene-
trate.
General Mitchell died the death of
Christian. correspondent of the Evening
Post, thus writes of his last moments:
'sOur good Generals whole soul was in the
service Of his country; his patriotism was
indeed religion of the inner man, that
needed no other spur than the call of duty.
More than all the rest, if you will permit
me to say so, he was devout and sincere
Christian, who thought it no shame to be
on his knees before God, in the exercise of
modest and simple hearted piety; for there
was nothing of cant or pretenoe or wOrdi-
ness in his style of religion. but he spoke
and acted as from calm and steadfast
faith in God and in our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ In strict accordance with
such faith, he was very abstemious in his
habits, close miser Of his time, rigldly
clean in his thoughts, upright and fair IN
his dealings; in short such frailties apart
as cleave to the best men, his life was, be-
lieve, without blemish or stain. His
death was that of Christian hero.
He was perfectly aware of his condi-
ton. Some time before the closing pas
sage, he frankly gave himself up, made his
will, sent for his cid friend the Reverend
DR.. Strickland, chaplain of the Forty-eighth
New York, to administer to him the last
consolation Of dying Christian, and then
waited the issue with the composure and
resignation proper to one who had learned
"to seek repose and hope among eternal
things"
"General Mitchell was ffty-one years old.
he has left six children, three Of them sons
and three daughters, whose mother died
something over year ago. His youngest
son is now at West Point; the other two
came here with him as members Of his
staff; and very worthy young gentlemen
they appear to be both. One of his daugh
ters is married Of the others 1 cannot
speak. May God be with them, and com
fort them And may He also be with US,
and comfort US, for fear that our loss can
as little be repaired as theirs"
And Mrs. Francis D. Gage writes to the
New York Tribune, IS follows;
"When closed my letter last evening,
it was with an expression of hope that
General Mitchell would soon be better
But alas for our hopes.
@Standing by his bedside yesterday, he
reached out his hand and took mine, and
locking up in my face he said: ssIteissa
blessed thing to have a Christians hepe in
time like this I answered eneourag-
ingly, and he Immediately closed his eyes
and said no more. An hour after he beck
oned me, and feebly shaking my hand and
said: You must not stay any longer; go
now and come to me in the morning. 1
obeyed and called this morning at half
past seven; on the steps l met the Rev. DR..
Strickland, Chaplain of the New York 48th,
who had been called for. We stepped into
the ante-room together, and waited few
moments, when Major Birch, who had been
untiring in his attentions, entered almost
convulsed with grief. He had just taken
down the last will and wishes of his be-
loved commander. He did not see'us, but
his emotion did honor to his head and
heart. He conducted the Rev. Mr.. Strick-
land to the bedside of the General, and
beckoned me to follow. did not hear the
words of the General as the Rev. Mr.
Strickland stopped to speak to him, but 1
did hear him say, 'kneel down. and then
he asked Mr.. Strickland to make short
prayer. How still he lay while that pray
er went up to the throne of the God Of
battles
{" At Its conclusion, as We arose, his eye
rested on me, and his hand was extended
again. You can do me no good, said he
family. .Do not stay His mind seems
perfectly clear and calm but he is failing
fast. Every hour we send messengers but
no encouragement comes.
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