Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-06-07
Dratb or Mai. Wells j. Hawks.

1t is with profound regreat we an
nounce the death of MAJOR WELLS }
HAWKS. who died at his residence IL
Charlestown, on Wednesday, 2Sth nit.
at 3 o'clock, p. NJ. Although the pro
tracted and painful illness OF the deeeas
ed had somewhat prepared the commu
nity in which he lived for this sadevent
vet his death has filled the public mine
and heart with unfeigned sorrow ano
disclosed the firm hold his life and char
acter have taken upon them.
He was a native of Massachusetts, but
more than thirty years ago, he became
citizen of Virginia. BY his industry,
strict integrity, thorough qualification
for his occupation and unfailing courte'
sy and fairness towards all with whom
he had dealings, he, at once, entered
upon a most successful career in bust
ness and won the confidence of all with
whom he came in contact.
From the first he identified himself
with the interests of his adopted State,
and, az evidences of the faith OF bis
trustworthineSs which he inspired in
those who knew him best, he was twice
elected, by the people OF Jefferson conn
ty, as Delegate to the General Assem-.
bly,: chosen Mayor Of CharlestowD, u
Director on the part of The State III the
Bank of she Valley, School Commits
sioner OF the county and Treasurer of
the Board Of Education. He performed,
in turn, all these various services with
marked fidelity to duty and always with
an increase OF the estimation in which
he had been previously held by his ftl-
low citizens.
When the late civil way began, he
never, for moment, taltered or wavered
as to the course of conduct he woEld
pursue. In full sympathy with the PEG
pie among whom his fortunes had been
cast, he entered the contest an earnest
supporter of the Southern cause, and
from the first blow struck in the Valley
of the Shenandoah until the shattered
and exhausted army of Lee laid down
its arm on the field Of AppomattoX, he
stood at the responsible posts assigned
him with heart fall breast high ear
nestly seeking to lay strong and deep
the foundations OF the new nationality
around which clustered his fondest hopes,
Early i'll the war he attracted the at
tention of General Jackson, and from
the formation of the First (StonewslD
Brigade, he became member of that
great Chicitains military family and
remained at his side until the close of
that brilliant career whose wonderful
incidents and achievements fiji so large
space i'll history of the sanguinary
struggle. Even when dealh itself was
glazing the eagle eye of the dying war
rior the last name that faded from his
receding memory was that of our late
departed friend. Says DR.. Dabney who
has so charHingly told the story Of that
great life Ills yagrant thoughts i'll
sleep were obviously wandering back
to the field Of strife; at one time he was
heard to say quickly: y. i. Hill pre-,
pare for action, and several times: Tell
Major Hawks to send forward provis
ions for the troops.
After the fall Of Jackson Major Hawks
was transferred successfully TO the stats
of Generals Ewell and Early, both of
whom rcposed in him the utmost conf
dence, and held him.pcrsonally and off
cialy, in the highest estimation. And
the quick disccrnmcnt Of General Lee,
on more than one occasion of unusual
Importance designated him for special
duties and entrusted him with the exc
cution of commands on which momcntus
enterprises hinged.
The Junior Of this paper was mess
mate of the deceased for the last three
years of the war, and is one Of the two
surviving members of the entire mess
Capt. John. j. Lock being the other.
All who were thus intimatel y associated
with him ever regarded him rs 4 genial
and constant friend, and an honorable,
upright gentleman.
To this people who knew him solong
and so well we feel it is unnecessary To
speak of his many virtues and the ADM
rable traits OF his manly character. BY
the community at large his loss will be
felt as that Of a good citizen always pre-
pared to secure or lead any active enter
prise looking to the public welfare.
The poor will miss him. His kind
disposition and ready hand, always "as
open as day Of melting charity, relieved
their wants freely and often secretly.
The wretched, to whose hearthstone his
presence was sunshine, will miss his
coming in their dark homes. The Wild
ow and orphan will be mourners at ms
new made grave, for he minlstered to
their necessities. His death is al ire
parable loss to us, but, we trust, gam
to him, as he calmly expressed his Will
ingness to meet the great summons.
His last audible utterance was "lry,
and seemed an obedient response to the
final command OF the Christian General
whose standard he so faithfully followed
Let us pass over the river and rest
under the shade of the trees. Ere
Press.