Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-02-25
From The Southern Presbyterian.
The Dying South Carolinian.

.
The Dying South Carolinian.
Next morning after the battle of Gaines
Mills, as was looking for implements with
which to bury the dead Of my company, |
came upon quiet spot where the ambu.
lance corps had brought together number
of our poor fellows, too desperately wound-
ded to be carried even to the feld-hospitals
in the rear. Here they could convenient.
" be furnished With water and the few 9th.
er comforts which their condition allowed
during their remaining hours. My atten-
tion was particularly attracted to one whose
stalwart form and manly features made him
marked object, even among the heroes,
who lay around him. 1t was evident that
his eud was nigh, though his face was calm
and his eye still bright.
Going to him, I euquiredif be was much
hurt? He replied, "Yes, I must soon die, :"
and showed me his wound. A grapeshot
had shattered his shoulder and penetrated
deeply into his yitals. He said the shot
still remained in bis body. Struck with
the resigned expression Of his countenance,
I asked him of his preparation to meet
death. He told me that s.before he left
home, he had been careless sinner, but
since entering the army..he had been read.
ing his Bible, and this had led him to Sc.
rious reflection; and now, that he was a
bout to die, he felt that though a great sin
ner, he could trust in Jesus Christ for sal
yation. He had but one regret, and that
was the thought of how much pain bis death
would give his sisters and his aged father,
whose only son he was" Tears trickled
down the cheeks Of the dying soldier, as he
spoke Of their grief these loved ones at
home would suffer. Still his language was
that Of perfect resignation to the will, of
God. :
Ny duty allowed me but few moments
to stay with him, and with a few words ap.
propriate to his situation, ] pressed his
hand and bade him "good bye" commend
ing him to the blessing Of God. My regi.
ment was soon ordered forward in pursuit
of the enemy, and I never saw the young
man more. ButI have often thought of
him, and it has frequently occurred to me
that it be consolation to his friends at
home, to know the happy and peaceful frame
of mind in which he met death, and which,
perhaps, he may never have made known
to any ony bat myself-a total stranger.
/ would have written privately to his
friends, bat knew not how to direct the
letter. I only remember that he said he
was an only son, that he had sisters and a
farther at home, and that his name was Mes.
bitt, Of York district, s. G. [ have writ
tenthis communication to the Presbyterian,
hoping that by this means, his family may
learn the above facts, and be consoled in
their sad bereavement.
ACApTA1N IN 4TH ALA. RECT.
FREDERICKSBURG, Jan. ~, 1868.
FThe name of the writer of the foregoing
has been given to the editor of the South
ern Presbyterian, and will be furnished to
the friends, of Mr.. Nesbitt if they desire to
communicate with him. Who can read
this recital without thanks to God that our
brave men have grace given them to die SO,
and that our army contains such'captainsa as
the letter Of this one shows him to be +?
---+se%e-----..-:1 -,srsa-
An Aboitionist for Peace.
A few days since Senator Conway, of
Kansas, one of the most ultra, as we'll as