Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-12-23
@ b I tn ar j !.


Died, at York Hospital, Winchester, Va, Sep
tsmber. Sd, 1864, Lieut.. JoHS IL. HIRE. of Barbour
co., Va, Co. I, 18th Va. Cavalry in the Esd year
Of his age.
Is this all only another added to the long list Of
unrecorded graves that swell the bosom of our
brave old State. This IS alto the many careless
eyes that will light upon these lines; but to the
tear-bedmmed. anxious gaze that watches fof u
hind the cruel wall of the enemv's lines, what a
volume of bighted hopes! For her, and for the
many friends to whom the world is darker since he
is gone, is this humble tribute to mis- memory
penned.
We would fan cmbalm, in und, lug words, the
many noble traits and virtues that formed char
acter SO lovely; but, like the painters art, they
can only give cold outlines. The soul that, like
kaleidoscope, exhibits q variety of coloring and
beauty that no a. can fix, will be wanting-memo-
ry alcne can trace them on her sacred walls, and
there will be bright reco I'd in many fond hearts
We deem it not too nuth to say. that purer Of
feling was never sacrificed npou our counry's
blood ined alter Carving with him the holy
inhue noes OF hia mothers religion sacred tails
man, he passed terough all the vicissitudes Of q
campaign OF nesrly four ears. uncomtamna ted -
Ever, as be returned to those who loved him. there
they could read in the clear. calm depths of his
mild, blue eye, "unsp Cited frem the srorld." No
prcfane word ever passed his lips, Y. viii
tne 1eheyoe" OF S'no ne' no intoxicating draught
ever MS blood With frenzy, which is but the
base counterfeit Of true courage. With high and
firm sense OF honor. he shrank from no duty. how
! ever arduous, from danger, however imminent
rWhen he expected to survive the wound which
Gender ed the amputation of his leg necessary, his
chief regret was, that it WAS caused by the acct
de, tai discharge Of gun in the hands of ono of
| our own men, whilst enroute for the field. But
none the less, dear boy. as thy bl led shod upon
thy cOuntrys alter, none the less does it cry unto
! God for vengence upon the cruel foe who, for q
mere arrag of empty words, is drenchng our boz
dsrs in he best blood Of the land, and spreading
desolatlon to every hearthstone He died far
/ L..
whom he trusted, raised MIN up friends in a
| strange land who minstered to his every want
| with the kindest sebcitnde. 4 BENSON rest upon
the ladies of Winchester Nav their uniiring,
out for them entire deliverarce from the vandal's
| tread. His body sleeps, with kindred dust, PEAR
his mothers mai6en horne. Ills love fo that moth
| er was croWning virtue.
i letter wrssen by him on the Of dsnoer,
contained thisanessage: "Ten mother not Y. be
uneasy about W ill and me, har, but si'ne
to die, aud it could never be in better cause =
For my part, ! am perfectly resigned to my fate.
Nay, do not greye. dear mother,
Though the~trial's come at last,
! Nor let thy frail and dropping frame
Sink meath the bitter blast.
What matters it, the hour
I We nav the ransom due
i For our immortal heritage,
# but the heart be true!
Our noble cause mr. spirit nerves
To bear the crue! pain,
And onor senls the sacri6e,
! It will not bs il vain.
Then think Of NE as sleeping
A calm and peaceful sleep
4 Res,gnediv awaiting
The angels call to meet.
+ With thee, my dear mother,
On that far. sunny shore
t. Whose angel hosts assemble.
And war and strife are Ger.
Sept 2ed, 1864. FH1sSn.