Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-07-02
Doath of VIM. II. Lockwood.
HEADQUARTERS 7TH UNION VA. VOL. |
FALMOUTH, VA, June |. '63.

HEADQUARTERS iTH UNION A. VOL,
FALMOUTH. Va, juno l, '63.
MY DEAR WIFE: IL answer to the many
inquiries made by you, Bros. Benjamin and
David, and also in Mrs. Mary Ann Welch's s
letters with reference to the death of my
nephew, WILLIAM, l have to say that i
made every inquiry possible, and the result
give to you and them as follows lie was
on the right OF our lines with his Regiment,
part of the rlth Army Corps, command
ed by Maj. Gen. Howard. They were at
tackled by the enemy at 4 p. NJ, Saturday,
the I'd May. About g. o'clock poor VIII.
LIAM was shot through the head, the ball
passing through the top Of his cop as it lay
near bis brow, as military caps are usually
worn, coming out beind the right ear. He
fell backwards on receiving his death wound
and lay with his head resting on his knap
sack as though enjoying the sweet repose of
the wearied soldier. John Zane, of Go.
A, 25th o. V. l., fell at the same tins, and
lay about 30 feet from WILLIE; saw him
raise bis right hand, reach out and pull
come grass; James Conway, of Delpho $,
Allen county, Ohio, and James Shallot, of
Steubenvlllc, both Of Co. i, and tho same
regiment as WILLIE, saw him fall VIM.
Is. Irwin, Of the same Co. (F) fell wound.
ed, and lay several days within 10 feet of
WILLIE--saw him fall as above described.
lie called to WILLIE several times, but
could get no answer The Rebel RoJbe,s---
before he was dead-pulled OF his boots,
picked his pockets, rifled his pocket book,
in which were money and 10 postage stamps;
the latter were given to Irwin, who gave
them all away but two, which l enclose to
you for my brother Irwin says that as he
would call, WILLIE would raise his right
hand. He heard, l suppose, the voice,
but could not speak. Poor boy, tho wound
was SO dnadly do not think he suffered
much
WILLIE was noble solder-the favorite
ct the Regiment. He was bold and brave
a. Caesar, and beloved by oil who knew him.
He was with me but few days. yet hc was
q great favorite with our Boys, aud his loss
is much lamented by oil who knew him.
He fell in glorious cause, and died fight.
ing manfully for his country, with his face
to the enemy. The 25th Vol. Infantry to
which he belonged, is gallant Regiment,
and 10 one of the best in the service and /
only regret that they were so unfortunate
rs to be associated with the llth Corps. In
my opinion ii is too good Regiment to be
thus sacrificed.
As to how or in what manner our dead
were buried, i am not able to soy, but should
we ever get possession or have access to tho
battle field, will use all my efforts to find
out and mark the spot where my brothers
boy lies, as we'll as the men Of my own
Regiment.
In answer to al your inquiries in refer
ence TO sending WILLIE's remains homo,
let me here say, however may feel and
sympathixe with my brother and sister aud
family, and however hard for father and
mother-and more particularly the mother
must make up their minds, as thousands
OF parents in our land do, whose sons have
met the same noble fate, to submit the facts
snd fate connected with the death Of their
beloved boy, and lot his remains lic where
he was buried, and where ho now sleeps the
long sle,p Of death. They can only be as.
sured that he was noble boy, aud Lost his
life in good cause, whilst defending his
country and Government against their re.
bsllious children.
Such is tho fate Of war.
lam, ~ ever, yours,
Il II IncUwoou