Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-02-25
Death of Col. william Erwin.

announce the death of one of our most |
esteemed and valuable eitizens-Col. VIM. |
Erwin of the Goth Illinois regiment, and |
brotber>in law of R E. GoodelI Esq He
was killed while at the head Of the right !
wing of the regiment. in the desperate bat
lie on the morning of the 18th inst, by
cannon ball which struck him in the breast
and passed through his body. At themoment
when he received the fatal shot, be was
giving his men words ofencourngement and
caution. While be was mindful of the
/ dangers of the brave soldiers under his
command, be seemed to forget the perils
which surrounded himself His body was
brought to this city on Thursday morning
last by Capt. Bartlesen, who had been de-
tached from the regiment for that purpose,
and Mr.. Goodell, and taken to the residence
OF the latter, whence, at nine O'Clock A. NJ,
it was removed to the Methodist Church
where it lay in state until twelve O'Clock
| NJ. Vast numbers of our citizens visited
/ the church and gazed for the last time upon
all that was left Of the noble man who was
the pride of on: city. Il was indeed
melancholy day Cor Joliet-tAe bells were
tolled and flags hung at half mast and the
insignia Of mourning was present every
where.
AT twelve O'Clock. an appropriate prayer
was offered up by Rev. Mr.. Crews, after
which most touching and eloquent euiogv
upon the life and services of the deceased
was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Kidd. The
body was then taken and placed into
bearse, and preceded by the JoIIe: Cornet
Band which played solemn funeral dirges,
and followed b. our city authorities and
large concourse Of friends and citizens. was
conveyed to the Rock Island railroad depot
and placed on board the cars for Ottawa, to
which place it was taken for burial. TWAS
accompanied by committee appointed by
our city council and large number of our
citizens. When the train arrived at Otta-
wa, the body was taken in charge by C,l
Cushnan and was buried with the hopors
VI Wal ~ iuhCESl Is SuiQ 10 nave OSen the
largest ever before witnessed in that city.
Were we to stop here, we would do in
justice to our feelings. We knew Col.
Erwin we'll His integrity, nobIeness of
heart, aud uniform urbanty and gentle
manly conduct, made him Il favorite with
all classes OF our people. Though u stir
ling Democrat aud Commander of the
Douglas Invincibes of this city during the
political contest previous to the last cleo
ton, his department was always such as to
command the esteem and respect Of political
opponents as we'll as friends.
CT. Erwin was of Irish parentags. He
removed to Illinois when quite young. and
settled with his parents near Ottawa
When the Mexican war broke ont he vol
unteered in the lamentod Col. Hardin 3
regiment, and greatly distinguished himself
at Buena Vista and other battles of that
war.
AT the commencement Of our present diff.
tculties, lie was among the first to rally at
INC cdli Vi lle EFeSlu6nt. lie raised CON-
pany but got in day too late to be accepted
among the three months men When the
ten regiments from this State were called,
his company joined the enc Ter this Con-
gressional district; and though he was Of
fered the Colonelcy; he preferred the second
position and was elected Lieutenant Colo.
mel.
During the time the regiment was in camp
here. his whole attention was devoted to the
improvement of his men in military drill
and to promote their comfort. His kind
ness of heart made him universal favorite
with the soldiers. lie was always at his
post nor did he desert it when the shower
OF leaden bail came. In battle he was
as cool and collected as he was brave and
determined. His loss falls heavily uuon
our regiment, rs it does upon the country.
We can lily afford to lose such a man at
this time of great peril
Col. E. leaves a wife and two children to
mourn his death but 10 their sad bereave-
ment they have the sympathies and regrets
OF thousands Of warm hearts. Their loss.
it is true is irreparable and crushing, but
they have the consolation that his life was
offered up as sacrifice for his country.