The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-11-03
Communicated

CHARLES THOMAS MAGILL, was killed in bat
tie, at Little Rock, Ark, Sept 10th, 1863, age,
~ years, 10 months, and 26 days.
Thomas was the son of A. G. Magill, of Buf
falo Grove, Buchanan County, Iowa he wa
born in st. Claresvie, Belmont County, Ohio
emigrated to Iowa with his fathers family
where he endeared himself to all with whom
he became acquainted, by his uniform kind
ness and christian department. In August
1862, he, with his brother William left HON,
and its comforts, for the dangers, hardship.
and suffering, of camp life, that they might dc
their part to preserve this once happy Union
| Thomas, with others, joined the | st Iowa Cav
airy, with which he has served his country de
votedly, through all their dangers in Southern
Missouri, Prairie Grove battle, and Arkansas
until the evening of the 10th of September
when lie fell, shot through the left breast, while
nobly doing duty for his country and his God
Thomas was emphatically good boy, his
early death has been a source of deep sorrow
in the community in which he lived His sor.
rowing relatives have the assurance, however
to console them, that rs he lived so he died
trusting in that God who has said, Those
that seek me early shall find me-" He had
joined the church about two years since, hi.
walk and conversation giving evidence of hi.
sincerity. The annexed letter was received
by his friends from an officer of the Company
to which Thomas belonged.
LITTLE Rock. ARK, Sept. 18th, 1863.
Mr.. MAGILL You will receive from Will.
lam, ere the reception of this, the sad intelli.
gence of the death of your son, Thomas.
knowing Thomas as / have, | feel Il desire
to say q few words to his afflicted parents. 1t
being my business to make oil details from the
Company for duty, am necessarily well ac-
quainted with the dispositions Of all in the
Company, and but express the sentiments OF
every man in the Company when | say, no one
could have fallen whose loss would have been
more deeply regretted by all. Although he had
not been SO long in the Company as some, yet
had by his universal kindness endeared him
self TO all in the Company, being always ready
and willing for any duty, never known to mur-
muir or complain, cheerful and kind. Thomas
was without an enemy and loved by all, Hav-
ing long noticed the tender attachment and
brotherly love existing between William and
Thomas, we know what must be the family
from whose bosom they came. We know how
agonizing will be the wound inflicted by such
"A loss, and deeply do We sympathize with the
bereaved parents, brothers and sisters, of
Thomas. But one consolation remains his
friends mourn not as those who have no hope.
Never have i seen one so young who manifest
ed more of the true christian. To all it was
manifest that he was meek and humble fol-
lower Of Christ. Oh what consoling thought,
though he cannot come to you, yet you may
all go to him, to dwell forever where sickness
and sorrow pain and death, are felt and fear
ed no more. You know what Thomas was,
and it is only necessary for me to assure you
that all the vices SO prevalent in an army could
have no effect upon him.
Then, dear (unknown) friends, in whom we
feel an interest on account of our mutual be-
let us not murmur, but thank God
for the assurance left US, that Thomas has en-
tered into eternal rest May God in great mer
cy, temper the winds to his shorn lambs, and
finally bring you all to form an unbroken mmi.
~ in Heaven, is my prayer.
p. X. CROSSWAIT
Ord'ly Sergt, Co. d.