The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-08-22
IFor the Gazette.]
Mr.. Ep1ToR:--


Mr.. EDIToR:--
.. 1 send herewith an extract from letter
written by Rev DR.. Marks, q Presbyterian cler-
gyman, now a chaplain in one of tho Pennsyl- |
vania regiments, who was taken prisoner dur
ing the battle before Richmond. The extract
refers to Adjutant o. Fl. Gather, who died in |
temporary hospital near Richmond 1t APP
pears from DR.. Marks letter, that Mr.. Gather
lived until Thursday the Eth of July. 1t was
supposed that he died instantaneously, from a
wound received on the 30th of June. The de-
ceased was q consistent member of the Presby-
teran church in this place He shrunk from
no duty. He was true to God, to himself, and
his country. Some of us will never forget the
fervency of his addresses at the throne of grace
when he led the devotions of the people assem-
bled for social prayer. He was also teacher
in the Sabbath School, from the time he con-
nected himself with the church, until he left US
for the seat of war. Our friend died in the
| service of his country; in the cause of human
| ity, benefcent government, and religion. We
mourn his early death. We loved him as a bre-
ther We had hoped that God would restore
him to his place in our community and in the
church. But he is gone, we believe, to a high
er sphere OF activity and enjoyment, to the gem
eral assembly and church of the first born,
which are enrolled in heaven There we hope
to meet him, and join hands again where sepa-
ration is unknown. A letter received from our
dear friend, shortly before his death, closes with
the following sentence: eff it is Gods will that
1 should fall in this war, trust he will take me
! to himself, where the clash of arms shall be
heard no more" II. f. S.
In one of these houses "a farm house near
the scene of battle) found Adjutant Gather,
of the 10th Reserves. The hospital was under
the care of DR.. Donnelly, of the Sd Reserves,
who had nobly volunteered to remain on the
battlefield with our wounded men. When |
entered the room where Adjutant Gather was
lying, was much struck by his appearance; his
face expressed fine culture and education, and
purity and elevation of character. These i'm
pressions were confirmed by subsequent acquain-
tance. He was wounded i'll the right Breast
the ball passing through the body He had been
left for Dead but was found alive by some of
the Confederate soldiers, and borne to this house.
He told me in my first interview that he had
been praying to God that some minister of the
Gospel might be sent to his dying bed, to coun.
had answered his prayer. He had been for
years member of the Presbyterian Church,
and during his life in the army he had not for
saken his Savior. l have seldom witnessed q
more impressive scene. The dying officer, fam
ned and upheld by enemies; the floor of the
room covered with wounded men in every pos
ture of interest, or dstress-some listening with
the greatest anxiety, and others too absorbed in
their pains to hear anything. In the presence
OF them all, he bore his testimony, as a dying
man, to the Righteousness of our cause; that he
had no regrets over his early DEATH for he died
for his country. He likewise spoke of his hope
as sinner in the mercy of God, through Jesus
Christ; OF his painful sense of unworthincss,
and that he had accomplished so little of any
value, but that he was not withal afraid to die,
for Christ his Redeemer was mighty to save;
and not by works of Righteousness, but by his
mercy and grace he saved us. At the same time
he indited letter to his parents, full of graft
tude and thankfulness for the past, and hope for
the future, and of joyful expectation of an eter-
nal union in heaven.
This was on Saturday, the 5th of July II
returned on Monday, and found that while ma
ny whom had seen on my first visit were gone,
the Adjutant had revived and breathed with less
painfulness; but he was not hopeful of the end,
but felt assured he must die. | babe him fare
we'll, with no expectation of ever seeing him a.
gain But when | reached Richmond, and at
III o'clock at night was marched into Prison
No. l, l was greeted by many familiar voices
and as | turned the light which bore in my
hand to the faces, found many whom had
/ first seen on the field of DEATH To one of these
officers, when l had spoken iG him and congrat- !
uated him on his safety in Richmond, | said
| "And the Adjutant" 'IIc's there" said his
! friend, pointing to camp bedstead on which
the wounded man was lying. l approached
him; he grasped my hand, and blessed God that
he again saw me. He again assured me that |
he could not live; that the conflict was all over,
and he now longed to be in the bosom of his |
Savior; that he felt no fear nor apprehension
of the future. This was Sunday, the 18th of
July; he did not materially change for the worse
until Wednesday following, when it became
plain he was passing from u.s. On Thursday
morning, the 18th, he called me to him and said
the struggle was nearly over; that his faith in
| Christ continued unwavering He asked me to
pray with him, and commend his departing spirit
| to his Redeemor. Nearly the last words he ut |
tered were: 81 have fought good fight, l have
| finished my course, and henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord &C., &c.
| AS | repeated the first words of the 23d
Psalm he took up the words and repeated much
of the Psalm, saying, with an eye frightened
apparently by the light of another world and
smiling face, ''Though walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, will fear no evil; for
thou art with me, and thy rod and staff COM
fort me-" His end was peace. About o'clock,
p NJ, he passed from us, and went up, we hope,
! from the blood-staiuel gern.aa. 10 u IQti.' !
in the spotless robes o; the g.osHe3.
Thus died young man Of the egrcatast prom /
80, whcm to know was 10 love; who, if God