Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-12
LEDGER.
Monaay grenlnr, Jun-l b.. Issa
The Groom faDaY.
sa1 Antonio Express. 4th.

- |N a HMNAAI 6&11e
at Eve a,i a half o'clock last evening,
at the residence of Colonel BlantOn
Dunc,n. rftsr an illness of not quite
two weeks The fever was malignant
malarial. nf q nlust virulent character.
which Do fed all that medical skill and
loving hearts aud hands could do. On
Thursday a change for the better
seemed 10 come. aud physicians and
friends were iubilant over the pros
poets OF his recovery, but that very
night, at ll:3O, a severe rignr COM
meuced, and shortly afterwards the
fever ran up to 1861. rendering the
case a desperate one. On Friday again
the symptoms again took a more favor
able turn, aud up to Z am. Saturday,
it seemed that Providence intended
to permit the recovery of this noble
nd gallant young man. AT that hour,
sudden change again occurred, and
the physicians, Surgeons Middleton
and Howard, pronounced it hopeless.
1t then became necessary to ac-
quaint him with the fact. Colonel
and Mrs Duncan gave him the pain
full information, and it was received
with that heroism and unfinching
manhood which characterized and
stamped him as one of the nOblest and
truest types of our race. The great,
beaded drops rolled from his brow,
and a look Of horror passed over his
eyes-but no terror, no fear, no dis
may. Only the anguish of separation
from those who were most dear to
him, for a moment filed his great and
generous heart Then he realized the
situation, which up to hat instant he
had supposed involved only a longer
illness, and as the bright aud glorious
promise of his future career and
happy days became crushed beneath
the unreleDting approach of death, he
barred his brow to the blow, just as he
would have marched at the command
of duty to the lannon's mouth, know
ing that the next moment he would
have been blown to atoms. Tue lock
of inquiry which had first gathered
UPON his face at this unusual ap
preach Of his betrothed's parents to
his bedside, simply changed into a
grand look of resignation. The first
inquiry made of him was who should
be sent for among the clergymeD, as
death being probable, he should be
prepared for it. II have been reared
in the Catholic faith, but of late | have
not attended to my duties as | should
have done. l would like to see
Father Johnston"
Then his immediate thought was
for the proper arrangement Of his
business affairs, but he was assured at
once on that point, and told TO turn
his attention to the greater and impor-
tant questions of the future life. Lieu
tenant Hewitt was to be married on
next Tuesday, 9th of June, to Miss
Katharine. eldest daughter of Colonel
Duncan. That gentleman asked him
if it would make him happier to be
married then and there, and Hewitt
eagerly responded in the affirmative.
Miss Duncan was attacked with the
same malarial type of disease on Sun
day, the 2lst, and her life was despair
ed of for days. She was improving
for two days past. She likewise most
eagerlydesired the union, heart broken
as she, too, was. at the information
conveyed for the first time, that death
was so near to them. Father John
ston married them as they were placed
side by side, upon the lying soldiers
bed. Lieutenant Hewitt, in the most
affecting terms, tl,en babe farewell to
his wife, until they could be reunited
in heaven.
Shortly after this, about II noon, be
became unconscious, and never was
restored to lucidity up TO the time Of
his death at $50.
Father Johnston administered all of
the rites of the Catholic church, and
the dying mar calmly awaited for the
summons which was 10 take his soul
into the presence of his Redeemer.
While Lieutenant Hewitt was so i'll
at headquarters. two miles distant, the
surgeon in charge considered that
both of his patients would certainly
die, if separated; and therefore
Lieutenant Hewitt was brought to
Colonel Duncan's residence to receive
the unremitting care and attention
which tenderness and devotion for
him would bestow.
1t il questionable whether Mrs.
Hewitt can sustain the terrible blow
without sinking under it. A relapse
will be fatal aud Frustrated under
the calamity, every nerve has given
away aud LETT nothing but grieving
and mournful sobs and means.
Lieutenant Hewitt was the son Of
Surgeon Hewitt, of the United States
army whose widow and family reside
at Bridgeport. Connecticut. He was
appointed to the military academy by
General Grant. aud graduated with
distinction in his class Of 1879 His
regiment, the Twenty second, was
stationed in Colorado, where the H.
dams were troublesome, and his con.
duct there was gallant and meritori-
GUS. Since being stationed here, he
has for the past year acted as post
COAuLnlaodly "ulHOud Sluk HIS uuNg Win
promptitude and signal ability.
All who came in contact with Lieu
tenant Hewitt loved him for his ster-
ling attributes and grand character
istics. There was in him the making
of one Of the grandest men of the
age,
Dispatches of sympathy and con-
dolence to Colonel Duncan's family
and Mrs. Hewitt are being sent from
the officers at the various posts in
Texas.
The funeral will take place from St.
Mary's church, ST.. Mary's street, on
Monday, at 10 am. The body will be
buried in the National cemetery at
this city.
MI. G. E. Young, of City,
Pa, writes: Disease and suffering
II laI- 1- 7