Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-02-04
death of Capt. Rphraim Kee.
H-KApouARrEss % BRIGADE, 6TH DIVISION.
CESTRE l4rH AMY CoRPs, MURfREEsBoRo :
TENNEssEE. Jan. leth, 1888. J

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TESNKssER, Jan 18th, 1865.
Hon. JoHS NJ. SrULL, C'n MEtary. Com,
Tr1mbuH County, Ohio
My DEAR Sir: The painful necessity
Is upon me to the sudden and
unexpected death of Capt. Ephraim Kee,
of Company B. He died this morning of
congestion, of an illness of but twenty
four hours standing. He was on picket
duty with the regiment on the 18th. and
was relieved at 9 A. NJ, on the 18th. Dur
ing the night of the 18th he had a con-
gestive chill-the first indication of i'll
ness, rode into camp in the morning, but
continued to sink away, becoming uncon-
scious during the night of the 18th, and
expired about I! o'clock this morning.
No death in the regiment could have cast
a deeper gloom. He had been in perfect
health, never complaining, always cheer
full and ready for duty. Through our
toilsome marches, from the moment we
landed in Kentucky till now, through
the perils of the bloody battle of Perry
vile, Capt. Ephraim Kee was always at
his post-frst among the foremost, and
the bravest of the brave. In the soul of
Captain Kee there was NJ element OF fear.
To that courage he added GOODNESS, GER
tainty and reliability. By his social quail
tiles and great powers of endurance, he
was enabled to exercise the highest ex-
ample of encouragement to hiscompany.
In all our marches, over the most difficult
of roads, either in intense heat, clouds OF
dust and restitution Of water, or mid the
storms of winter, he always brought his
company through without a man left be-
hind. No man struggled from his COM
pany on the retreat from lexington
The same was true of the lamented Cap
tain Wilson, of Company Fl, killed at
P~erryville.
To all these soldierly qualities, there
was, in the abilities of Captain Kee, also,
a high quality of intellectual WORTH
Few men of his age could WELD a more
forcible pen, or produce and deliver q
more eloquent extempore address.
A citizen, and a soldier, he brought tc
the service of his country, great. talent,
an undivided affection,-and has sacritic-
ed all on her sacred altar. Unscarred al
Perryville, through the thickest OF that
terrible slaughter, he was spared to US
and now falls by the hand of lurking dis
ease, but none the less in the line of du'
ty. Gallant Brother, over thy untimely
grave thy comrades shed the tears of un
reouited sorrow. We charge thy death
upon the enemies of our beloved coun
try, and with renewed determination
VOW to avenge thy loss.
He was attended by Surgeon Fowler
and everything possible done to restor'
action, but all to no avail. With Capts
l.. D. Kee and Robert Wilson, and s.
enlisted men killed at Perryville,-witl
Capt. Ephraim Kee and &c enlisted mel
dead of disease, we feel. dear sir, tina
the l05th Ohio has made great sacrifice
and rendered costly service since Angus
last, and we trust that in the Providence
of God there is in store for the Republic
a future of sufficient value to compensate
! for all our losses.
If you know the parents of Capt. Kee
please give them this letter as a NAL
testimonial to the merits of their SON
Very truly yours,
A.. S. HALL, Colonel l05th o.,
Commanding I'd Brigade, 5th Div,
Centre 18th Army Corps.