Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-22
Death of an Augusta Soldier.

| lieu. y. Nm. Jones' sChTast IN the Camp
in the RELIGIOUS Herald.l
On the night before the last days bat
! tie at Second Manassas, occurred one oil
the most touching episodes of which ]
heard. Col. W. S. 81. Baylor II ought
really to call him General, for Stonewall
Jackson and r. E. Lee had both recon
mended his promotion, and his commits.
sion had actually been made out when news
of his lamented death reached Richmond j
one of the most widely known and loved
young men in the State, was in command
of the famous old ''Stonewall Brigade y
which had the year before won its name
and immortal fame on these historic plains.
Sending for his friend, Capt. Hugh White
son of the venerable DR.. Vim. s. White
of Lexington, Stonewall lJackson's old
pastor, and himself a theological student
who commanded one of the companies
10 the brigade, "Will'' Baylor las we used
familiarly to call him) said to him: II
know the men are very much wearied out
by the battle to-day, and that they need
all of the rest they can get to fit them for
the impending struggle of to-morl NV.
But cannot consent that we shall sleep
tonight until we have had brief season
of prayer to thank God for the victory
and preservatioe of the day, and to beseech
His protection and blessing during the
continuance Of this terrible conflict. !
Hugh White entered at once into the pro.
pnsal, Rev. A. G. Hopkins (then chaplain
Of the Second Virginia Infantry, now pas.
tor OF the Presbyterian church at Charles
town. W. Va, and one of those faithful
chaplains who was always found at the
post of duty even when it was tie post OF
hardship or of danger), was found in the
bivouac near by and gladly consented to
lead the meeting. The men we're quietly
| notified that there would be prayer meet.
ing at brigade headquarters as soon as
they could assemble, and nearly the whole
! OF this brigade and many from other bri.
gades promptly gathered at the appointed
spot. 1t was tender, precious season OF
| worship there In line Of battle and in full
hearing of the enemy. Col. Baylor enter.
ed into it with the burning zeal of the
young convertible had found Christ In
camp only short time beforehand Capt.
Hugh White. with the ripened experience
Of the Christian of long standing, and
many of the participants, realized, with
Jacob of old, that the place was 'none
other than the house of God, and the gate
of heaven" In the great battle which
| followed the next day. when the Confed-
crate line was pressing grandly forward
and driving everything before it, Will
Baylor, with the flag of the Stonewall Brl.
gade in his hands and the shout of victo-
ry on his lips, fell in the very forefront of
the battle and gave his brave, noble, young
life to the land and cause he loved SO well
and served SO faithfully. Hard by, and
about the same moment, Hugh White was
shot down while behaving with most con.
splcuous gallantry, and those two young
men who mingled so lovingly in the pray
er meeting of the night before had enter.
ed through the pearly gates, were walk
ing golden streets. and were wearing fade
less crowns Of victory
THAT crown with peerless gories bright
Which shall new lustre boast,
When victors wreaths and monarch's gems
Shall blend in common dust"