Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-07-06
,4aND MIssIssIPPI REGIMENT.
IN:ENqREEcHMENTs,
NpSR CAMS MILL, JuneS7, 1854. ,

NEAR CAMS Mill, june, 1854.
Mr.. John O.. Michel MY dear friend,
I little thought, on the morning Of the 2nd
Of: June, while writing in answer to your
inquiries concerning him, that had escaped
death and wounds, that your last "soldser:
boy" would, ere the rising Of another sun,
fill a soldiers grave; but it was the will of
Him whose hand holds the key Of death
and the gravs; that he should fall while
barring his bosom to the foe; while "nobly
battling for the dearest rights of man"--as
did his brother William, at Bristow, in Oe-
tober last.
Yes, Sylyanus fell amid the din of battle,
Gin the thickest of>the fight" as Davis
Brigade advanced, on the rear Of the enc
my's right flank, on the second evening in
June, about or just after sunset. We ehad
advanced within seventyise to one hundred
yards of the epemy's breastworks- halted,
and were waiting for the brigade on our
left, to come up with ours the battle had
been raging seVeraI.minutes, the regular roll
of musketry had deepened into one eontin.
uods roar, our brave boys, were dropping
lifeless in ranks, and going bleeding to the
rear, when sylvanus fell, sat his pos" BY
his comIades, bleeding and,a ,alnosslifeless.
did not see him fall; but afterthe firing
had somewhat ceased, / askedsif there was
any one hurt in Go. B, r. A. Hall answer
ed, Vanus Mitchell was killed. I turned
with sad heart aud saw, a few PAGES dis.
tant, his PROSTATE, manly form lying out,
its face to-the enemy, and his head all Gov
cred with gore. It was quite dark, and I
could not see where he was struck. at
first shrauk from dipping my hand in the
warm blood of my eomrade in arms, with
whom / had fought oumore than that bloody
field, with whom I had played at school:and
had associated for years, in peace and on
the tented field, my. warm.hearted. and es-
teemed friend: Such were the thoughts
that rushed to my mind. Thought Of his
father, brothers, and relatives, who would
want to know where the fatal bullet struck
him, / placed my hand on his neck, where
the blood was thickest, and found that it had
entered on the left side, and passed directly
through catting his neck vein. / took from
his pocket his testament, pocket knife and
diary, placed his hands, put his hat over
his face, and turned from him to my place
in ranks, for I knew not at what moment
the brigade would advance ior have to meet
a change from the enemy, regrettiug thatI
could not bury him. I waited a short time,
all became quiet, no orders had come. l
had his grave dug, and laidhim in it, placed
bis hands and head, pillowed bis youthful
head on his knspsack, and saw the last
spadeful Of earth strewn over his last rest.
ing place.
+ iAs he will be missed around the freside
at home, when peace will have smiled upon
and returned us to our homes, SO he is
missed in camp by his company. Like his
brother, he had endeared himself toit, in
many ways, and by hisquiet, lgeutlemanly
-
and courteous bearing, had won the esteem
and good will of those with whom he asso.
ciated. know not what his hopes were for
eternal happiness, never having talked with
him as I did with his brother William, bat
have reason to hope that hehas gone rest,
for his daily walk was more christian.like
than otherwise. - ..@F2 go ~
Again Company B, through me, tender
to YOU, and the relatives and friends who
mourn the loss of your second son, who ha.
fallen in the defence Of all that a patriot
holds dear, "the assurance of their sincere
sympathy" May God help you to submit
to His will, with spirit of submission and
resignation, and to draw near and kiss the
hand that holds the rod that has smitten
you so heavenly.
Sincerely, your sympathising friend.
= R. r. WARD, 1st 1t. Com.
Go. B, 42nd Miss Reg.