Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-06-20
THEY REST FROM THEIR LABoRs.
Major Henry Hagan, the Confederate Veteran
Answers to the Last Call-Other Deaths.

Major Henry Hagan, the Confederate Veteran,
Answers to the Last Caii-Other Deaths.
Major Henry Hagan, gallant Con-
federate veteran well-known in this
section and to many of the old soldiers
who wore the gray, has crossed over
the river to rest under the shade of
the trees" After years of affection
death at last came to his relief, and
Tuesday night about ten o'clock he
answered the last summons. Major
Hagan was native of Frederick coun-
ty, Nd. He came to Shepherdstown
early in life and located on farm
near this place, In l847 he was mar
ried to Hester A. Lemen, who sur
wives him. About 1850 they removed
to Cumberland, Nd. When the war
broke out he returned to Virginia and
enlisted as corporal in Company F,
First Virginia Cavalry, commanded by
Col. VIM. A. Morgan. He served
from the beginning to the end of the
war, at its close returning to Shep-
hsrdstown, where he was for number
of years superintendent of the Poto-
mac cement mill. Seven or eight
years ago his eyesight began to fail,
and for several years he had been to-
tally blind. His health gradually
failed also, and death was to him, no
doubt, welcome relief Major Hagan
became a member of the Episcopal
Church in this place some years ago,
and the funeral service will be held in
that church this Thursday afternoon
at half-past two o'clock. He was IA
years of age.
Major Hagan's war record is splen-
did one. At the first battle of Bull
Run he displayed such courage and
proved to be such fighter that Gen.
J. E. B. Stuart sent for him and had
him detailed to serve at his headquar-
tiers. 1t was through his influence
that the corporal was soon made a lieu
tenant, and ever aftsrward the gener-
al had the warmest regard for and the
greatest confidence in the hard-hitting
soldier. Major Hagan remained with
Gen. Stuart until the latter received
the wound at Yellow Tavern that
later caused his death. Then he was
transferred to the staff of Gen. Wade
Hampton, and served with the same
conspicuous gallantry in that position
until the close of the war. The major
had frame like that of some sturdy
oak, and, as Cooke put it, big beard
and "a laundering voice" The in
teresting and often thrilling incidents
in which he had an active part during
the four-years' struggle would fill a
volume, and the old soldier spent
many happy hour in his late years
recalling the stirring scenes with his
old comrades. He had genial, hap
ply disposition--a cheerful, hearty man
with whom it was pleasure to talk.
There was the wa rmest friendship be-
tween him and many Of the proml-
nent Confederate officers-indeed, few
men were better known and better
liked than Henry Hagan. The writer
remembers a meeting between the
major and General Fitzhugh Lee in
Washington some years ago-an attec-
tionate reunion when the two old
veterans actually Rugged each other
on Pennsylvania avenue in their de-
light at seeing one another again.
Major Hagan is frequently mentioned
in the popular historical novel by
John Esten Cooke, "Surry Of Eagle 8
Nest" and next week we will reprint
some of the interesting incidents in
which he figured.
The news of Major Hagan's death
will be received with regret by his old
comrades-in-arms and his wide circle
of acquaintance. May he rest peace
fully beneath the clods of his beloved
valley.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Spohn died at
her home in Shepherdstown Wednes-
day morning about II o'clock, aged
IA years, 9 months and % days. She
had been in declining health for sew
eral years. About two weeks ago her
illness assumed a more serious form,
and her strength gradually failed un-
til death relieved her sufferings. The
deceased was native of Middletown,
Nd. In 1S43 she was married to
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