The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-28

CHATS complimentary allusion to Monsieur
Lincoln, presume ?" said quiet voice behind ,.g
Right, SIR, replied the poet, "and hope that
"Ohi Of COURSE" said the last speaker, who had
quietly joined us during the recitation of the
verses. ''only (smilin9)the gentleman you allude
to is bound to be shot, not drowned"
He who made the lfjesting remark was q
Young man OF about twenty-seven or eight; of a
slight, but remarkably compact and agile figure
his face, although its features were somewhat
Irregular struck the observer as being full of quiet
power and resolution. Nothing could be frmer
than the closely compressed mouth-and notwith-
there was fire in his rowing, gayish-blue eyes
an almost haughty-poise Of the head, and general
air OF repressed but indomitable vigor in his whole
organization, attitude and bearing which bespoke
an ardent but iron will. One hand, as he stood
reetedoarelessly upop the nuzzle ofthe columbiad,
and we could not fail to remaak that, though thin,
small, and white almost as woman's, it was yet
full OF muscular strength.
Such was the appearance Of John Mitchell, cap
tain in the Provisional Army of the Confederate
6tAtess As we first saw him. Subsequent COM
1nunications placed us in possession OF the fact
that, before the war, he had been civil engineer,
prosecuting his profession with ieir chances OF
success IN Eastern New York. No business, per-
as this and Often We RpVe hsssneS to ohs
eyer s the evening ire in quarters as with quiet
the circumstances OF many backwOod's encounter
with Yankee speculators and the small railroad
Omclals OF amDlt1Ou6 villages and pufedup
tionsl But there can be no doubt that Providence
destined Mitchell to be soldier-and above all,
an accomplished artillerst. Had he been sum-
moned to serve upon the great theatre of the war
in Virginia, we feel convinced that he would have,
won reputation not inferior to that Of Pendleton
or Pelham. AS it was, both officers and men soon
leaned lin SUMTER 70 regard him with particular
confidence and respect. He was no martinez. in
the offensive sense OF the term. vet his aubord-
mates knew that the slightest wilful disregard Of
duty would inevitably be detected and punt shed.
His sense Of the responsibilities of the service was
most lofty, and IL he did spare Others assuredly
he never spared himself. Universally tsespeoted
and admired there were 'select few" who de-
One Of those gallant young officers who had
Of Sumter under Anderson, wlSain the. walls 81
that fortress he was fated to live, oct and die. It
was partly due to his ceasaless Vigilance and iudi-
Cioug discipline that the garrison there became so
effective body Of men. ,,..... @.E u,
The long, weary, terrible siege Of Charleston
was always the same Whoever might despond.
he never desp0nded-whoeve might wayer. h.
never wayered. At last, while dischargina his
Arduous duty as usual, Fate Gn the material shape
ried, sadly nangied,. to his quarters From the
first, he knew that bis wound was mortal. More
over, it inflicted upon him the acutest agony.
BET bis was Spartan courage and Spartan nerves.
Truly, he could Justly have said to his comrades,
VARYING ,l tne words Of Addison, ''come and soc
Hours Of untold, undreamed-of pain, the tom
muscles racked, the quivering flesh on fire, and
thon, those precious lfe-drOps exhausted, the
yogng hero passed quietly 70 A:= rest "
near the city he died in defending, they buried
him, while strong mon grieved, as only strong
men can, and many tsara from gentle eyes were
shed over his remains. st,jr,S