Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-06-28
OBITU AIRY.

DIED. April llth. 1859 in the 5th Corps Hospi-
tai at CITY Point, Va LEsuEL SHAW late compa-
ny X, 55th Regt Pa. Vet. Vols. aged "a years, 9
months and % days He died from the effects of
a wound received during the battle of the Boyd
ton Plank Road fought on the 29th day of last
March While occupying his position in he bat
tie line, commander of his company, he was
struck by a musket ball, which entered the lower
part of the abdomen and passed out through the
left thigh. shattering the hip jointA The follow
ing is brief sketch of his military history;
Captain Shaw mustered into the company
which he afterwards had the honor of command
ing, as a private. Harrisburg, April LIST, 1862
For his good conduct and soldiery bearing he
was promoted TO Sergeantcy the following Nov
ember. For bravery in battle and his consum-
mate knowledge of military tactics, he received
the warrant Of First Sergeant, January Ist, 1864.
Shortly afterward he was mustered in Second.
and subsequently comm issoned and mustered as
First Lieutenant of his company. During a re-
connoisance in force, made by corps 9th in
the direction of ii atch Run, October 2Sth 1854,
he saved our division from being cut off and cap
tured. by penetrating the enemys advanced
lines and discovering that he was moving in two
columns upon our rear. Jpou returning to our
lines he reported the situation to Gen Craw-
ford, who Immediately ordered his forces to fall
back to place Of safety, which reached bare
ly in time to save ourselves from being hemmed
in by the converging columns of the foe. For
this cool and daring action he was breveted Cap
tain by Secretary Stanton and the President. and
confirmed by Congress. During part of last
winter he taught our Regime entail Military Sch ool.
ceived in the defence of his country.
As soldier. his great ami bition seemed to be to
do his duty well in every position which it was
his fortune to fill If he desired to be honored at
all. il was to receive that honor which voluntarily
flows from the performance of mel itorious
tions. Perhaps there has been but few men more
calmly brave than he, even amongst those vete-
rams who have been taught courage by facing the
hattle-storm and charging the lines of stub
born foe upon the field of a hundred bloody con-
ficts. However, the soldier was far surpassed by
the All that we look upon as being noble,
just. and kind, shone in his character with tran
scendent lustre. Yet, while his life was con-
summate model OF morality, he trusted in the
blood of Christ for Salvation.
After he was wounded was by his bedside in
the hospital We had been mess-mates together
and loved each other dearly. Though heavy
cross, told him of the dangerous character of
his wound, and that, perhaps, he would not long
survive il. AT this intelligence he was not sur
prised for he had been forewarned of his fate for
weeks l asked him if he had any message to
send home. speaking calmly. he said: Benny,
if should not survive, write to my Mother, Mrs
Mary Shaw. Say 10 her that l was mortally
wounded while in the discharge of my duty, and
that think am prepared to go" While with
him, heard him utter no word of complaint
Dear friends while We bedew his memory with
the heari-tears of affection. let them be radiant
with the sunshine of hope. for by faith we know
tn at when the spirit of the departed breaks away
from its clayprison it rises above the cold atmos
phere of deathful sin which surrounds this world,
and that il floats up into the presence of the ho-
ly Angels. and into the glory of the Godhead
who gave it being.
1t is glorious thing TO die,
| n this our nations. present strife,
When, for the life OF liberty,
She's pouring out the blood of life
1t is glorious thing to live,
Amid the wrong this age has given;
So, when we're mustered out by death,
Our names are on the Rolls of Heaven
These these are thine tho thou art gone,
In memory thou still shalt live,
As one who for his country gave
his life-gaye all he had 10 give
These, these are thine, when thou didst die
A palm of sanity victory,
The amarauthus of the sky
Gods gifts in Christ awaited thee.
B. R SMITH,
Chaplain 5kth Regt Pa Vet Vol