Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-14

burning enthusiasm, left camp. Trousdale
near Nashville, and moved into Virginia,
where they we're placed under the command
of General Loving, under whom and GEN
eral Lee, they were throughout their cele-
brated campaign in the mountains of Wes-
tern Virginia. In the latter part of the
winter Of 1861, they were at Winchester
transferred to the command Of the eelebra-
ted Stonewall Jackson, and shared with him
| the giories, privations, tolls and hardships Of
| his perilous campaign in the Valley.
They then marched to Manassas, Fred
ericksburg, and finally Yorktown, thence mp
the Peninsula under General Joseph f.
Johnston to Richmond, distance of more
| than twelve hundred miles.
No portion Of the army, in any part OF
the service has undergone more privations,
hardships and dangers than General An
derson's brigade, and none have borne them,
with more heroic fortitude and manly cour-
age. 1t is true in their heavy marches, they
were not engaged in any battle, but they
were often exposed to heavy skirmishes, and
the still more deadly foe to human life, the
inclemency Of the season.
Major Howard amid it all, bore himself
with manly courage, and marked humanity
and kindness towards those under his COM
manG r
But the hour of his trial in the open field
had not come. 1t was reserved for the 3ist
of May 1862, on the glorious but ensanguined
field of :" ,Seren Pinesf' estszff
But a short time prior to this memorable
engagement General Anderson having re-
signed his command, Col. Hatton was pro-
NOTED to his place, and Major Howard adj
vanced to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel.
In this new position he entered the field on
the 3lst MAY, and there for the first time in
open and deadly strife, demonstrated his
manly prowess, and amid the death and car
mage around him, won imperishable honors.
Throughout the engagement, he was in the
thickest of the fight, urging his men on to
deeds of noble daring; and white one hun
dred and seyenty-four of his already wasted
regiment lay dead and wounded on the field,
including the brave General Hatton, Colo
mel Howard proyidentially escaped without
mark on him.
This brilliant engagement still more en-
deared Colonel Howard to the gallant
Seventh Regiment. New hopes, fairer pros
poets, and brighter fields of glory opened up
before him. His men were inspirited and
impatient of delay. They longed to push on
to the still more bloody field, that lay just be-
fore them, and win brighter laurels and
more imperishable renoxn. But God who
sees not as man sees, and whose ways are
past finding out, had reserved for this gal
liant officer a sterner fate. The battle in
front of Richmond came on, and Colonel
Howard, though in feeble health, was again
on the field, and at his post. Day after day
the battle ragged, and day after day the IA
nous .Seuenth" was held in reserve. But
at length their hour CAME, and on the 9th
of June, 1852, the regiment was ordered for
ward. Here again both officers and men
bofe themselves nobly, and with shouts of
triumph swept the field, and calamity charg-
ed the enemy's works; but they were met
by superior numbers and repulsed. In this
charge Colonel Goodner was wounded
and disabled, and the command devolved on
Lieutenant Colonel Howard, who, on foot,
Immediately placed himself at the head of
the regiment, rallied the forces, and with a
desperate effort renewed the charge, carried
the works, and stormed the battery; but
alas fell mortally wounded, Fqfe
The sun was Just setting; the field was
won, and thefearful contest for the day ended.
Colonel Howard's wound was examined,
and at once pronounced mortal. He heard
the sad announcement without a shudder
The next day he was borne to the city OF
Richmond, where he fingered for twelve
dreadful days. His sufisTings, though in
tense, were borne with christian soldiers
courage, and although young, and surround
ed by every prospect of earthly honor; and
far frorn his home, his wife and child, he
never nurmured or uttered sound of dis
content. Resigned to soldiers fate, and
humbly trusting in Saviours grace, death
had no more terror for him in the private
chamber than IN the storm of the battle
field. He vas calm, conscious, and collected
to the end; spoke often Of homo, his mother,
wife, and little child.
As the hour of dissolution approached,
and his only brother, gallant young officer,
stood weeping over him, he gently remarked,
George, be cain; it should be a consola-
ton to you to know, that die at my post
l fel. in front" And turning to his chap
lain, said: "When we take calm, philo- 1
sophical view Of death, there is but little in
it. 1t has no terror for me. meet it cheer
fully, trusting alone in the merits and grace
of the Savior for salvation eF
Thus saying, the dying. patriot soldier
meekly folded his arms across his breast,
and gently breathed his last In accordance
with his request his remains were brought |
to Tennessee, and inferred at Greeneyille,
under Masonic and military honors, in the
presence of large and mourning assemblage
of the citizens. .s.
Thus lived and thus died brave and gal
liant man and while we mourn his loss, we
are not lett, in his death, without the Chris
tian's hope.
How blessed the righteous when they die;
When holy souls retire to rest
How mildly beams the closing eye
How gently heayes the expiring breasts
So fades the summer cloud away,
So sinks the gale when sttirms are Ger.
So gently shuts the eye Of day,
So dies the wave upon the shore" /