Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-03-09
In MEMORIAM.

record the death Of WILLIAM NIXON,
who ended bis earthly career at Prince
ton, on Wednesday night last. His dis
ease was that most deceptive but fatal
of all complaints, consumption. 9a'
In the year 1859, if we remember
correctly, WILLIAM NIXON came to
our city and took a situation as
compositor on the Daily JOURNAL. He
retained his place, though his health was
not good, until the Summer of '6l, after
the war broke out He then, with one
or two other compositors in the Office,
enlisted in Capt Thompson's Company,
which was afterwards known as Com
pany E, of the 14th Indians regiment
whose reputation is worldwide. So
feeble in health was WILLIAM when he
enlisted, that many predicted he would
not live to reach the scene of hostilities.
To the surprise of all, however, the cool
air OF Cheat Mountain, where his regi-
ment was irst ordered, and the healthy
outdoor exercise, proved so beneficial
that he became not only strong but cor
pulent Every symptom of the disease
which had before claimed him for
its own, departed. WILLIAM Nixon was
true patriot and q faithful soldier.
His life seemed precious in the light of
kind Providence, and be passed IN.
scathed through the terrible battles
which almost annihilated his regiment
At Fredericksburg, after atormiug the
heights, in which the Fourteenth left it's
dead nearer the enemy's trenches than
any other regiment, Nixon was placed
on picket duty, and, when our army re.
tired across the river, was captured by
the enemy. Here, again, Providence
interposed in his favor. Instead of be-
ing carried South to endure the horrors
of Belle Isle or Andersoaville, young
NIXON was paroled within day or two
after be was captured During his pa
role b. was permitted to visit his friends
and receive their congratulations at bis
restored health and gallantry as sol
dier. Being exchanged, hereturned to
the army and continued in the service
until the expiration of his term of en-
listment. In Gen. Grants advance on
Richmond, through the terrible battles
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court
House, and Cold Harbor, WIN. NIXON
was true soldier, standing by his col,
ors, to defend which but few OF his COM
rades were spared.
Being honorably mustered out, imme.
diately after the close of the battle of
Cold Harbor, NIXON returned to our
city, and resumed bis situation upon the
JOURNAL. Ambitious, desirous of max
ing money, and feeling great confidence
in bis restored health, be over-exerted
himself, and, before he was aware of it,
his old disease came upon him suddenly
and ferociously. A violent hemorrhage
of the lungs was bis first intimation of
danger. At once he began to sink, and
after a few months struggle he has gone
to his rest.
WILLIAM Nixon was a young man of
fine suseeptibilities and taste. He was
affectionate and gentle as a woman
quiet, peaceable and pleasant. 1t was
his peculiar passion to make friends all
ways and never enemies. We never
knew young man more fortu nate in
winning the confidence of those with
whom be came in contact His com.
panions in the Office thought highly of
him, and as mark of their esteem, the
printers of both the JOURNAL and Cou
rier-he, for time, being foreman of
the latter paper-will 60 to Princeton
to-day to attend his funeral.
1t seems hard that after passing safe
ly through three years of terrible bat
ties and dangers in a thousand forms
that WILLIAM NIXON should thus fall
pray to disease. Bat we are not to
question the inscrutable ways of Deity.
{" Man proposes but God disposes."
May everlasting JOY and peace be the
portion, of the gallant lad who thus pre-
maturely passed away. IA