The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-12-04
ORANGE COURT HOUSE. VA FRIDAY MORNING DECEMBER 1868

In duel on the morning of the 18th in
stan:, about 6 o'clock having been shot
the neck. 1 was with him
when he expired. and heard the word
other" pass from Ills lips. His death
was almost instantaneous. AS | ana
sure it will be satisfaction to yourself
and Major Pollard to know the circum-
stances which led to this melancholy
event, here give them: At the mess
table, on the preceding evening, every
thing had gone on up to u certain period
in the utmost harmony and hilarity,
when Captain s. mos: unhapplly
turned the conversation to the subject
of slavery. Being q violent abolition
ist, he became ungnarded in his re-
marks, and said many things derogato-
nv to all slave-owners, whom he de-
nounced in body. The other officers
present did what they could to inter-
pose and check his language, which on
iy became more offensive and insulting,
as also to allay the indignation eyident-
ly rising on the part of your son. IA
"We rose from the table in confusion,
and sought our quarters. greatly grIev-
ed at what had taken place, and not
free from strong sdspiciont that Lieuten-
ant Pollard would seek apology or re-
dress. The same night | received
message from hun, and by the hands OF
the surgeon he sent a note to Captain
S. demanding a retraction OF the
words he had uttered, and in the pres
ence of all before whom they were
spoken. This not being granted,
meeting was fixed for the next morn-
ing at 6 O'Clock. 1 accompanied your
son to the ground. The ball OF his an
tagonist pierced hisneck. and he fell
We placed him at the foot OF neigh
boring tree, where his servant lsham
had already deposited his cloak, sash,
and cap. L ie doctor Immediately opel-
ed his collar to search the wound, but 1t
was apparent that he was beyond all
mortal aid. and in a moment or two he
breathed his last. Icannot close with
out adding that no one could stand bet
ter in the service than your son did,
He was a brave young soldier, and high
minded beyond his years. His uniform
modesty of demeanor and unaffected
goodness won the hearts of all. Every
man in his detachment mourns his loss,
and no cne feels his death more keeuly
than he by whose hand he fell. We
deliver at the same time a small packet
containing watch and a few other per-
sonal objects which we know he valued,
and Isham tells us that he had put to-
oether, sealed, and addressed to your
Self, before retiring to rest on the night
before that fatal morning. Accept my
warmest sympathies ON this terrible
bereavement, ard believe me to remain,
dear madam, yours, most faithfully,
sf m hif JOHN DEAs.n
Here the narrative OF Mrs. Pollard
ends. aHH iA'ii N'
On an afternoon in the following
month of June afuneral procession was
seen to leave the portico of the house of
Alta Vista. 1t was composed of Mrs.
Pollard. her children, with numerous
relatives and friends who had collected
together from the neighboring planta-
tions, and also of 100 negroes, their SER
wants, who Joined it on the lawn. bal
The latter were dressed liz their best
apparel. coarse and homely, but tidy
aud neat, and, as these people are won't
to do, giving way, now and then, to
loud bursts of grief. They were head
ed by uncle Isham and uncle, Major a
slave then eighty years of age, who mad
been the personal servant OF MIR. Wit
liam Rives while serving in the army OF
the United States during the Revolu-
tionary war, and is still living llS4S)
with the Rives family at Oak Ridge
plantation. Passing through the gar
den, the procession entered the ceme-
tery beyond. and on the spot which un
| Gle Ben had cleaned and weeded on the
morning OF the 18th OF Nay, next to the
grave of his sister Lucy, Henry Pollard
was laid. On a marble tomb rising owe
it NAV be read these words: "Here res
TIE mortal remains of Henry, son o
Richard and Pauline Pollard, of Alt
Vista. who died in Louisiana on t.,
18th Of May, 1884, aged twenty-iiv
AS to the other actors in this strang
but true tale, Captain s. became
prey to remorse. His days and night
were passed in vain ard fruitless re
prets. In numerous conflicts whicl
took place on the froutierwhere he wa
stationed, with the neighboring tribe
of Indians, renegade Texans, Mexicans
and others, his recklessness and DARN
were remarked by all. During the IN
yasion of Mexico by Genera! Scott hi
regiment was attached to the divlsio
under General Garland. lG bore col
spicuous part In all the actions from I'll
taking ofVera Cruz to the capture {
: the CITY OF Mexico itself. AS the arm
approached the capital, the fortifit
heights of Chapulsepee, Cherubusc
: and Molino del Rey were stormed wi
| | great slaughter. Brevet Colonel,
Captain s. had now become, IL
1 the attack on Cherubusc6. He snatc
!. ed the regimertal color from its beare
{ and planted it on the parapet, whle
v with a few others, he was the flrst
gain. He was struck almost instant
q Reously by three muskei balls, and, a
: ter falling, he placed his forage cap oV
O his face and expired.
d Lieutenant Deas / knew rather in
r matelv when passed through Detro
i in lS4i. He was then senior lieutena
!. of the Fifth regiment OF infantry.
Il dined twice with him at the mess VIII
the Mexican war broke out. lie h
d become captain, and was with the
l. vision of the army under General Ia
n lor. which entered Mexico from Tex
"a crossing the Rio del Norte. lie v
Ia disabled for some time from a seve
n wound which he received at Kesaca
I. la Palma, and was shot while swimmI
re the Rio Grande witha few men of
- company, just few hours before the
Il, tack ON Matamoras.
y mr.. LEMECIERs LECTURE ON THE
d, RILLA. og ~
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