The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-09-20
OBITUARY.

KILLED in battle, near Spotsylvania c
e., in May 1864, WILLis BONNER, d natiy
of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, in the 2ls
year Of his age. ,.,s IS .a .,,e,
The deceased at the COMMENCEMENT o
| the war was d cadet at the Virginia Militia
~ Institute. ara left that Institution forth,
purpose Of Joining the Confederate Army
He became attached to Capt. sbreve's Com
pany Of. Cavalry that was organized il
London County, va, and commenced his
military career almost with the firing Of the
I first gun son this side Of the Totomac-bis
Company being frequently engaged in the
series of. skirmislles that preceded The first
battle of Manassas. During the eventfnl
three yaars that followed, sup to the Begin
ming of the campaign Of 1864, at the close
Of which the sun OF The Confederacy went
down on the plains around ,Richmnnd,
Willis Bonner may be said literally TO have
lived in the saddle.
His command under q succession Of able
officers was engaged in nearly all the fighting
from the Potomac to the RappahannocE
and from the Rappahannock to the Chicka-
hon,iny, and on no field of battle did they
suffer Virginia S proud fame to be tarpished.
On the day that be met his death he was
acting as courier for Gen. Louax, and was
conveying despatch along the line 81 bat
tie to distant part ofthe field, whe,ihe was
seen to fall from his horse The despatch
was taken from him and sent by another
courier toits destination, and it was observed
that he was struck in the head BY a rifle
ball. lathe, varying fortunes Attending the
memorable six days fighting in the Wilder.
ness, that part Of the field on which he fell
was occupied alternately by Federal and
Confederate troops, and his COMPANIONS not
being able to fnd the body at the close of
the battle, INDUCED the hope that he had
only been stunal mud had beenitaken3pris.
oner. Recent information has, however dis
PEELED this hope, and there IS no longer a
doubt but that Willis Bonner, in. common
with thousands of other noble Confederate
youths, has persisted iu the path Of duty and
honor.
In the battle in which 1e was killed, as
many had fallen in performing the.lsjnd Of
service that was required of him, that he
was admonished by his commanding officer
that it would be safer not to ride, but not
needing this well meant advice, be Continued
in the saddle until he met his death, as he no
doubt preferred 10 meet it, on horseback, in
the thickest of the fight, and in the full &C.
coutremenis of war.
The writer of this knew him from his in.
fancy, and admired aud loved the boy for his
frank and manly bearing and bis singuIar'y
sweet aud amiable DISPOSITION. These were
the traits that Epenlng, into the nobler quail
tiles Of truth, honor, and courage, became
in an eminent degree the characteristics OF
his early manhood ChiyaIrous, brave and
honorable, he was warmly beloved by his
companions ii arms and frequently elected
the concentrations Of his commanders for
the prompt and efficient discharge Of thea
variohs duties that were assigned him. His
remains doubtless repose ia some unknown
and secluded spot in the pines ofsSpotssyi.
vania, through whose waving branches The
winds moan solemn requiem, and upon
whose tops, the last rays Of. the setting sun
linger, with subdued and mellow light.