The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-03-24
For the Jeffersonian Democrat.
The Fathers Advice.

my son, DO true to you, God. be truo to
your friends, DO true to yourself"
lheso were the parting words that fell
from the lips of a fond father, as he .bade
adlou to his son, who was going forth to bat.
tic in his couutry's cause. 1t was NV good
fortune to become acquainted with youpg
Wellington in tho carly period of tho war.
Tor We went out in the same COMPANY.
and together. side by sidc we fought thro'
many dark and bloody days. Together We
were promoted from the ranks, sharing
each others joys, each others woes. and
both were given positions upon tho staff of
tho brave and gallant General --. Close
was the tie that bound us heart 10 heart
and each learned the story of the others
early life. .......
just at the breaking out of tho war, Lieu.
tenant Wellington married young and
beautiful girl, who gave him. with her hand.
a mino's wealth of love. Lifo was mado
sweet to him by all that could be most al.
Turing, and hold out to him Joyous aud
happy future. But. when tho cloud Of war
closed over our land. and the wisest of our
statesmen look ed forward with gloomy fore.
bodings. when our cause seemed darkest
and our country called loudest for do.
tenders, he resolved to 20. Leaving all
his young vito with almost blind idoIatry.)
he placed himself between his country and
his country's foes. Prompt in the dis.
charge of his duties, bravo almost to fault,
he rose from position to position, winning
the confidence and esteem of his superors
Scrupulously careful in his department, and
strictly adhcripg to principles of honor and
right, he won the respect of all with whom
he chancod to be associated.
Often he told me of his fathers parting
words. and the impression they made upon
bis mind ; and the whole course of bis ac-
tionsseemed to be directed by the words,
My son, be true to your. God. be true TO
your friends, be true to yourself"
At the terrible battle of Franklin, Tenn,
when our Division was ordered forward to
check the tide of the almost victorious rob.
els, Wellington was among tho first to load
the way. Stern and savage was the fight,
and hand to hand the battle ragged. The
crashing shell, the plunging bayonet, the
whirrinc sabre, scattered death thick and
fast among friends and foes. No troops
could Withstand the furious bravery of our
men, and the enemy wero driven from our
works. Just at this moment, q soldier
approached me with the sad Intelligence
that Lieutenant Wellington was mortally
wounded, and wished to see me. followed
him few rods to tho rear and there, tre,ch'd
upon the ground. was my wounded comrade
The gathering shade revealed to me that
over his life was gathering deeper, darker
night-tbe night Of death. The crimson
tide and glazing eye told too plainly that
the sad work was done. In agony of heart,
l knet beside my friend, clasping in my
own his cold and stiffening hand. and, as
sobbed bis name. he reused himself with
tho last mortal energy, and, drawing me
closely to his breast. he whispered, .Tell
my wife, tell my father, tell my mother, that
have been true to my God, havo been true
to my friends, have been true to myself
and, murmuring with the last lingering
gasp that name dearest of all to him, "wife" !"
he died. Another noble victim was added
to the list of our countrys fallen brave
Yes he was one of the noblest of men, and
my heart bled when thought of tho be-
reaved whom he had loft Young wife,
over whose youthful heart the pail of death
has settled, crushing out the joys of life,
and making life's bliss deep, dark chaos of
misery aged father, upon whose head has
fallen this stroke of agony; fond mother,
ber eaved of thy hearts pride and joy; know
that thy husband, thy son, was, to his latest
hour, "True to his God, true to his friends,
| true to himself"
How noble, how comprehensive. was that
fathers advice! A fit and just procept to
follow in every calling in life. It's appro-
pirate for the more quiet walks of civil life,
as for the active duties of the field. BY
this rule Wellington squared his life, and
by it he found he was prepared to die; and.
when the grim messenger bade him away,
he cheerfully acquiesced, for he had been
"Trne to his God, true to his friends, true
to himself"
SELMA.