Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-21

John y, Bixby,
The young man whose name stands at the head Of
This article was native OF Worcester, and a Of
Austin W, BiNly, who is still an esteemed fellow
citizen, At tle commencement OF the southern in
Surreci0n he Ind but just completed his seventeenth
year. Though unaccustomed to labor, and too
young to have thought much upon the duties of
citizen to his country the latent virtue of patriot
ism within him was Immediately awakened, and
struggled for manifestation lie and his brother,
| who is now corporal in the 25th regiment, soon
! Joined company, which, however, in consequence
of some informally, was soon di,banded The re-
turn of the 9th regiment gave his ardent patriotism
a fresh impulse, and he impatient to be in the
service of his country. Though he still, as ever
revsrently obedicnt TO his parents he could not be
disunAded. lie pleaded with his mother tor her con
sent. When she reminded him of the dangers to be
incurred, and inquired if he felt prepared to meet
the worst, he replied after little thoughtful hes-
tation, that some must 10 and he might as well go
others She would not do violence to that virtue
! which was almost passion, and gave her consent
| on condition that his father would also give mis-
| With this encouragement he pleaded with his faith
| err, who also could not deny him; but though
doubling his fitness the score both of age and OF
physical strength, gave him leave to visit the camp
| of the 10Th regiment and advise with Capt Studiey
The Worcester company was full, and the young pa
| triot disappointed. Rather than wait and en-
| list with friends and acquaintance in some reg-
| ment vet to be formed he preferred to go at once
| even though with entire strangers. On searchinghe
found single vacancy in the company from North
bridge and enlisted under Capt Philbrck. The
regiment was to leave on the following week for
| the scat of war With brief Through Tor prepare
| ton, he babe cheerful farewell to home and
friends, and was soon at Georgetown, awaiting or
! ders for active service against the foe.
| He had not long to wait, having fallen to regi-
| ment destined to distinction i'll the fortunes and
| misfortunes of war; and for two years he shared
| heroieally its hazards and hardshps through long
series of skirmishes and battles, Though his regi-
| ment was reduced aud recruited by Il large number
OF men, and again reduced to tour score, he lost
little time By sickness and received not an injury.
His exposures were many and fearful, and he had
many har-breadth escapes. On that night made
memorable by the affair at Balls Bluff, he saved his
lite and freedom by swimming the Potomac. In
| the battle OF Antietam bullets struck his musket
| and grazed his neck. At ChanCellorville his cap
was grszcd. and fragment OF shell struck be-
| tween his feet The like good fortune he expert
enced at Getty sburg, though the fighting such
he never saw or heard of. So far as is known to
us his heart never failed him, but rcposed on that
| kind Providence to whom he often con-
strained to ascrbe his preservation AS expressive
| of his feelings, lie cut from some paper and
| sent to his mother a short poem, in which the
| following stanzas:-
"Some unseen power preserved me
In the wild and fearful fight
And strength heroic neryed me
AS / struck for truth and right.
And my heart is still in keeping
With my country's glorious cause;
And until it ceases beating
I'll defend her flag and laws"
After the battle of Gettysburg young Bixby,
and needing rest, was detailed for service in tho
general hospital at that place. His station was
responsible one, but he discharged his duties with
great acceptance patience and fOrtitude endearing
himself to the sufferers under his charge and sleep
ing but three entire nights in twice many weeks.
| This service to have prepared the way for
disease, and about the first Of September lie was
attacked with typhoid fever and died on the 18th
in the hope it is believed of the blessedness of the
| just.
1t is believed, from his wel-known character at
home, and from inquiries concerning him while
away, that he had no bad habits, that he pure
and upright in his intercourse with his fellows and
that his devotion to the cause of his country
genuine and umdiminlshea he ord His death l.
a bereavement to his native city well to his
friends. His parents were permitted the sad salts
HOl u seeing hin III MS sIChIcsS DuI Va
looking upon is lileless form and of burying it in
that field Of many graves, from which, according
to their purpose, it has already doubtless been re-
moved and inferred in the Union Cemetery, then in
| preparation and yesterday consecraed to the mem
| DRY of patriot-martyrs whom the nation will de-
| light 10 honor till the United States of America
| shall disappear from the map of the continent
Young BiXby was one OF considerable number
who have already fallen in battle or BY disease from
this city. Many others, trust, will survive the
war, and return to enjoy the welldoserYed fame OF
their heroic achievements. But shall the deceased
be forgotten when survivors shall be honoIed? Do
not those who have fallen as sacrifices on the altar
of their country deserve special and permanent
memorial? The graves OF some of them will be
marked by stone, and will never be identified by
their friends. A monument better than marble,
however, would be volume containing brief
sketch OF the life and character and deeds and suf
ferings of each Such memorial would be not
only qualification to their respective circles of
friends but valuable portion OF the history of
what the city of Worcester contributed to the que
ling of the great rebellion. Who will take this
matter in hand He who should do it as a labor of
love would be in no danger of pecuniary loss. C.
ACCIDENTAL a late hour on Thursday evening,
as Robnson's hack belonging to the Waldo louise,
was turning out of the railroad track near the Bay
State House. the axle suddenly broken, and tho
vehicle suddenly reduced to level with the
pavement There were five persons in the hack
but was injured
The Horse RAILRoAD.-Last Tuesday thirteen
hundred passengers conveyed over the road.
THEATER-'ihe Corsican Brothers will be repeat
ed tonight, owing to the great of last eve
| ming This afternoon there will Be an entainment
at reduced prices 1t is the last opportunity to see
| the company
| OLDENBURGH & CREssoN of Philadelphia, have
| at the Bay State House an important article for
farmers and agricultural dealers in the shape of
patent churn and butter. worker combined. Every
one who has visited the Bay State House to see the
patent churn, is much pleased with the manner of
its working, and its great advantages over every
other churn in use. The butter made by it is pure