Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-06-18

wound received.
j Yours, sffecIionately,
NOSES RIFE.
4 Lieut.. Company E. 56lh o. Y, 1.
THE DEATH OF LIEUT.. GEORGE W
i -r t tak AAER1NG. e.. rr.
EDwARD's DEpor. MISS, !
fg rr May 18th, 1858. I
DEAR FArHER: I am called upon t
perform the mournful task Of informing
you of the death Of my dear brother
GEORGE W. MANRfNa, who was killed
lin battle on the evening Of the 10Th oI
May, near this place. a
The circumstances were as folIows:-
The fighting commenced at about eight
O'Clock in the morning. Company A
was thrown forward as skirmishers.-
We fought till 10 O'Clock In this man
ner, driving the enetny's pickets to his
line Of battle, which he had formed on
an eninence. I then ordered a retreat,
and informed the Commanding General
where the enemy's lines were formed in
order Of battle. We we're Immediately
formed and ordered forward. The en-
gagement soon became general. The
portion Of the enemy's lines which our
Regiment engs .ed, was formed along a
line Of fence in front Of an open field,
containing about 30 acres. After half
hours hard Sighting, We started the
enemy back, driving him beyond the
field into the timber. We advanced
across the field and made stand at
the fence, where we maintained our
position for about half an hour. In
the meantime the enemy were being
heavily re.enforced. The 28th Iowa,
being on our left, gave way and fell
back without making stand. In their
retreat, we discovered the enemy COM
ing both in our front and on each flank
with force of not less than ten times
our number. We fell back about one
hundred yards and made stand right
in an open field. We here checked
their centre, but the Regiments on our
right and left having retreated too
hastily, we we're compelled to fall back,
being fanked both on our right and
left. We made another stand in the
field, and tried 10 check the ehemy who
were advancing on us in four columns.
Here is where my dear brother FELL
He was shot twice, once in the right
temple, and once in the left side Of bis
chest. The only word which he uttered
after he was struck by d ball, WAS 40,
Jesus" He died instantly. This was
about three O'Clock In the afternoon.-
My first impression was to stay with
him. but considering that IL I did so !
would be taken prisoner or killed, and
thus the place Of burial and history Of
the death OF my brother would be for
ever lost to his friends, concluded to
rejoin my Regiment, which had re-
treated about one hundred yards be-
yond me, leaving me about half way
between the rebels, who were persuih &
us and my own Regiment. We tried
TO make stand at the fence, but were
too closely persIed by superior force.
We fell back to a ridge beyond the
fence and made a stand, and held the
enemy In check till we were reinforced.
1t was now about half-psst three in the
afternoon. At four, we succeeded in
routing the enemy completely. went
Immediately to the place where i left
my brother. The rebels had taken
everything out Of his pockets except
little blank book. They TOOK his watch
and all his money, also his revolver,
leaving his sword. Our Regiment was
ordered forward in persuit Of the re-
treating enemy. got permission to
stay and take care Of my BROTHER
Sergeant Samuel J. Blake. Corporal
Arius L. Blake, and Andrew J. Nc.
Pbail, Of my Company, stayed with me,
and assisted me in giving him and
others Of the Company, as decent
burial as the circumstances would ad-
NIT OF. / had him conveyed TO shade
by the side OF the road. washed him,
then selected place for his burial. and
set three men to digging his grave. l
lay by bis side on The battle field all
that night. Early next morning we
finished the grave. had him carried
10 it, and after impressing two kisses
upon bis cold temple-one for his aged
father, and one for myself bad him
laid IN his cold, silent resting place. ]
covered him up, aDd after uttering 8
brief prayer that his remains might not
be molested till such time as they could
be moved to Ohio, | left the grave
This was at seven o'clock in the morn
ing. / overlook the Regiment, which
vas encsmped two miles ahead, at
eight. after performing one OF the most
solemn duties OF my life. l shall never
forget the manner in which be uttered
the last sentence, so familiar as though
be was addressing friend. 1bass no
doubt bot -they-were- very words,
that be entered The 6nsl resting place,
of all the good who have passed on be-
Il