Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-05-29
JONES COUNTY, May II, 1868.
For the Standard.
CAPT WILLIAM T. MARSH.

FOR the OtanuATu.
CAPT WILLIAM T. MARSH.
This gallant officer fell MORALLY wounded, in the
bloody battle of Sharpsourg, on the 18th Septem-
Der, 1862. He was in command of the 4th regi-
ment N. G. State Troops at this sanguinary fight.
No part of the army during this terrible battle was
more exposed than Gen. g. Il. Andersons brigade,
to which Capt. Marsh's regiment belonged The
cool courage and calm selEpOSseSsion displayed by
Capt Marsh, at all times during this eventful day,
won for him the confidence and admiration OF his
veteran regiment What it suffered in this unequal
contest may be learned from the significant fact
that every commissioned officer present was killed
or wounded.
The history Of the past year has been rich in the
display of individual instances of unoStentatlouS
heroisIn, and the example of Capt. Marsh is con-
spicuouS among those who have lived worthily and
died nobly IN the service of the Confederacy. lie
was member of the Legislature of North Car
DINA when Lincoln declared war on the seeded
States He promptly raised a company of volun-
teers and soon after the passage of the ten regi-
mcnt bill, joined the regim of Col. George t.
Anderson.
His strong sense Of duty to the country, and to
the brave men under his command mpe.led him to
remain in the service although he had long been in
feeble health and was not physically able to under
60 the exposure Of active campaigning.
Up to the date Of Mr. LincOln's proclamation he
was steadfast supporter of the old Union, but
met the issue with more promptness and zeal. He
then filling his second term in the Legislature
and his constituents felt pardonable pride in the
position which his ability industry and high honor
attained in that body. His popularity at home was
the result of these qualities, and not the mere tran
sient applause which expert demagoguism some
times wins from the people
No act, or vote, or speech Of his ever contribu-
ted to the downfall of that magnificent government
the old Union. So long its Constitution was
fairly construed and its domestic affairs admins
tered impartially and in good faith long did Capt
Marsh as a citizen and legislator, yield willing
obedience to Its authority. But when the strong
buwa-kS of the Constitution melted like frost-work
before the fiery breath of ianaticsm and the great
mass of the Northern people turned aside from the
plain and well beaten highways appointed by the
law, to pursue the will O the wisp" of philan-
thropy, in violation of rights, he conformed his
conduct to the altered condition Of the country and
was among the first to take up arms in defence Of
those rights.
A few years before the war broke out, he quit
the practice of law and devoted his entire time and
attention to agriculture. lie embarked extensively
in the drainage and reclamation Of swamp lands in
the lower part of Beaufort county, and had met
with most gratifying success. lie was among the
pioneers of this enterprise in Beaufort county,
which was rapidly converting dreary and inpcnc-
tra6le SwamPS into beautiful and fertile farms and
changing these malariouS and poverty stricken
wastes into healthy and wealth producing districts.
In his death the army has lost a brave and skill
ful officer, and his county an enterpr>iEg public
spirited aud valuable citizen. prompt and fearless in
the discharge Of every duty. ID. II. &.