The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-11-15

The Last Words Of . Christian Patriot
One by one We lay down our noble dead in
the dust of the land they had loved, and that
dust becomes more dear to US as We incorporate
in it more and more of the humanity we have
cherished. S.rss
Among the brave men who have gone out to
battle, none was more worthy OF the name We
have placed at the head of this article, Christian
Patriot, than Samuel F. Willard, of Madison,
Conn.,, Captain in the 14th Connecticut Regi-
ment. Those who knew him will bear witness
to the truth of the estimate. But it il not for
the sake of praising him that we write this ar
ticle. It is because he left brief record OF
both Christianity and patriotism, which We think
both instructive and mournfully interesting, and
much that is of q private nature, but we venture
to intrude upon the privacy which surrounds
every mans home affections, for the sake of Civ.
ing this complete picture Of the American Vol
unteer soldier, the loving husband, the devoted
patriot, the trusting Christian, going out to bat
tie in the cause to which he willingly gave his
life. No one can read the record without emo
tion-no one will tail to say "such men as these
are the men to make nation strong" The
diary from which we extract the following was
found in pencil on the person of Captain Viii
lard. 1t was his method of keeping notes to be
forwarded to his wife from time 10 time, and
the record here co7ers the Sunday when the
battle was fought at South Mountain, and the
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which fol-
lowed, closing with the last days battle At An-
tietam.
ON Tor OF BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, J
WEST OF FREDERICK CRY,
Sunday Noon, Sept. IA, 1862. }
The regiment has just halted for rest, after
climbing these mountains for miles, and as sit
upon it's summit dot down word to you. The
view from here is beautiful indeed, but am too
difference. While you and the good people of
Madison we're sitting quietly in Church the Scran.
ton Guards were toiling away up these noun
tains in defense of our coutry. This is our
ninth days march, and we are all about worn
out with fatigue and hunger; being on the
march, we have no opportunity to get anything
to eat but hard bread and pork. To-day We
started on our long march on hard bread and
coffee alone marched till four o'clock. We are
now in line of battle in the Middletown Valley
right in sight there is an artillery engagement
nothing very serious.
MoNrAY MORNING,
M1DDLErowN VALLEY, Sept. l5, 1862
These may be my last words; if SO, they are
these:
have full faith in Jesus Christ my Saviour
I do not regret that have fallen in defense of
my country have loved you truly and know
that you have loved me, and in leaving this
world of sin, 60 to another and better one,
where am confident shall meet you. freely
forgive all my enemies and ask them for Christ's
sake to forgive me. If my body should ever
reach home, let there be no ceremony /; ssk 40
higher honor than to die for my country-lay
me silently in the grave, initiate my virtues, and
forgive all my errors.
prefer death in the cause of my country to
life in sympathy with its enemies.
And now, my precious wife, goodbye. May
the grace of God sustain you, and we will meet
at last in Heaven.
Signed in the valley on the battle ground near
Bolivar Heights, Maryland.
SAMUEL FRANCIS WILLARD.
TUESDAY MORNING, Sept. 10th, 1862.
The division moved yesterday at about 10 A.
NJ, passed through the region of the battle on
the previous day-dead rebels on every side-
Our surgeons administered to the wantssof many
of the wounded rebels Saw hundreds Of
wounded rebels as we passed through different
villages, in barns, houses, hospitals 1t was a
very sorry sight for our boys-rebels were
strongly intrenched on the mountain and held a
good position, but fed as the army approached
Generals Mcclellan and Burnside passed in front
of the army-immense cheering. Rebel prison.
ers being brought in all the time, poorly dressed
but fine looking fellows-act as though they
we're glad to be taken in.
TUESDAY MoRNING-later.
The battle has commenced; one man killed
within twenty rods of me by she'll My faith
is in God; if die die in the faith of my Lord
~l c., Nhrt, 1soI< <k.& L.
live. We are now to go into battle. God cave
nay men, God save me, God save the United
States of America, God bless you, my own dear
wife, and may we meet at last in Heaven where
there will be no war or sin.
CAMP NEAR PETERsvILLE, MD.,l
Wednesday Morning, 17th.
We are on the eve Of agreat battle. Yester
day there was an artillery engagement close by
us, and we were lodging shells and balls for
about three hours. One man was killed within
fifteen or twenty rods of me. Several others
were wounded. We have an immense army here;
Mcclellan and Burnside are here in command;
can not say more; we are ordered off with eigh-
ty rounds of cartridges, cannon are booming on
every side; my faith is in God.
passed the battle ground Monday; saw the
dead and dying on every side; pray God we
may be successful, and that you may see me
again -,se
And just here the pencil notes close, suddenly,
memoraby to those who loved the man; for an
hour later he lay dead on the field of victory,
and this pencil.story remains to tell how and
why he died.
It is not often that such simple history of
mans thoughts as he approaches death in a
battle, is preserved. tits because OF this that
it is more valuable. There are thousands like
him in the field. Thousands like him have fall
len. Would to God the end were visible
We can not we'll afford TO loose these noble
sons of our country, and unless we save the
United States of America for which he prayed,
their death will have been all in vain.-[Jour
of Commerce
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