The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-03-24

account of danger, sealed his devotion tc
his country with his blood, and fer hel
offered up a life full of vigor and prom
Use. We see him passing through the
varied scenes Of youth and early man.
hood, until he has just arrived at that
point in which all the fond anticipaions
Of his early life are about to be realized
and in which he is about TO grasp the
worthy honors which many long years
OF toll and preparation had fitted him,
when suddenly duty calls him to enter
upon an entirely different field Of action.
With a full knowledge Of the dangers
and priva,ions lie was about to incur, we
see him relinquishing the allurements OF
his profession and the pleasures of socie
ty. refusing position and takiur his place
IN the ranks of that company to which
he contributed so much labor and means.
and in the welfare Of which he felt such
a deep interest. Together with Lieut..
Jordan, whose noble spirit has long since
preceded his to brighter realms, we see
him labor day and night for the success
of that cause in which his heart and soul
were engaged. We follow him into the
army. TO the "tented field" see him en-
dure sickness and pain until brought al
most to the brink Of the grave A gain
he is restored to health and vigor. and
when chosen to take the place of the la
mented Jordan. we see him discharpino
every duty of his office with promptness
and fidelity an honor to the regiment,
and The pride of his company. Much
improved in health and appearance after
his severe illness, he continued in the
faithful discharge O. his duties up to that
fatal day when his regiment was called
upon TO pass through the first ordeal Of
battle. From the early part of the dav,
until evening. beneath the burning sun
through fields and swamps, and under
the fire Of the enemy, he advanced with
the line Of skirmiShers. until he reached
the battle field of 1uka A few minutes
more and everything was swallowed up
IN the heat o. battle and the roar of mus
kerry. Well do | remember the last time
| saw him during that terrible struggle.
| thought then | never saw him look so
well as he did AT that time. A vollev
OF musketry had just sent shower of
bullets through our ranks, but he stood
at his post with a proud and fearless
bearing. calmly discharging his duty.
Conscious Of the danger he was in. but
nelved By the justice OF his cause. aid
flushed with desire for victory. he de-
fed the missiles Of The enemy. A half
an hour later, and what remained of the
regiment amidst clouds Of smoke and in
shades Of nighthll, emerged from the
woody battle ground and formed in line
of battle in the open field Companies
reduced to squads. began to count their
loss and inquire for the missing. Among
many others, Lieut. Lewis was not there
Many inquired where he was aud wan
dered what had become Of him. bnt none
could answer About nine o'clock n,
night II was ascerlained that a had been
wounded and carried to house near by.
where lie had received proper medical
attention. The nature Of his wound and
the manner in which he improved for n
few DAYS, gave hope that he would speed.
div recover. 1t however proved the
prolonging Of his life but for a few
months Of intense suffering and pain. All
that was mortal Of him. now slnmbers
IN the tomb, but his spirit lives in the
regions of eternal bliss. 1t is not al 10
say that be Tired and that he died." but
II may. in truth be added, that the lived
and died happily.
Yours. truly,
w. S. MARSHALL.