The National tribune., 1900-06-21

the dearest treasures of our hearts are
ruthlessly borne from us by the relentless
hand of death. Youth and manly N1gor
cannot stay his coming, and the young and
the aged are alike his victims. The Lieu
tenant was killed at the beginning OF the
battle by a minie-ball. The ball struck
!. him near the center of the upper part of the
chest, passing directly through HIM. He
was about three PAGES from me when he
! was struck, and, though deadly as the shot
was. he did not fall instantly: he turned TO
me and said. I'm killed, Captain" then
made o!.e step towards me and fell into my
arms. saying: Take care of my things and
send tI'am 10 Mother" These We're the
last ana only words he said after he was
shot. let him down slowly to the ground,
but he WIS dead-died without struggle
or moan.
The Lieutenant was a claSsmate of mine
while at Hopedale. o. He went into the
service with me. and i'll the same company.
When he received a commission he asked
me 10 take him into my company. told
linn he was my choice in the regiment.
Being old SchoolmateS and friends. II
almost seemed like old school days when
we both got into the same tent together.
i loved him rs Il brother. He was always
so kind and SO cheerful; in dark days he
always looked at the bright side, and lent
"a ray of hope to others more dcSponGlng
We lived together as brothers: always
shared alike whatever pleasure and hard
ships that came in our way. He was u
brave and true soldier: always did his
whole duty as an officer and Il Christian
soldier.
We buried him on the battlefield at the
foot OF Il large pine tree. and marked the
vault 80 that il may he found at future
time. | laid him and Corpl Gray, of my
company i'll the same grave. We Duit u
vault of logs, and on the bottom we Iald
pine bOughS. covering it all over smooth. |
lot nd va hid tho bodies
that then put two blankets over them. and
covering that with pine boughS again and |
: covered with earth, and building up the
vault closed il III at the top. We buried i
them the best We could. Lieutenant was |
buried with his full suit on. | have every |
thing belonging 10 him, and will do with |
them us lac requested in his oying mo-
mentS.
Please accept our united sympathies as
a regiment i'll Your sad bereavement, and |
with much respect, | am, dear sir.
JOHN W. CARSON. Captain, Co. c, SSth |
Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.
CADIz, O., April 8, 1865.
SiR. ALEXANDER BRANUM, Bridgeport,
DEAR SIR: send by the Hack the effects
of your son, Lieut.. j. III. BranUm of Co. c. |
9Sth Ohio Vol. Inf. whose company / had |
the honor To lie member of. The Lieu
tenant was killed on the 18th of March at |
the battle of Bentonyille, near Goldsboro |
n. c. He was killed at his post while |
nobly doing his duty, and in his death the |
country has lost one of her noblest and |
bravest defenders. and society a good mem
Der. He was loved by all who knew him. |
and the 9Sth viii deeply mourn his loss. |
Hewas buried by the boys of his company |
as well as it could be done under the cir
cumstances. | left the regiment immedi- |
ately after the fight, and brought every
thing belonging to the Lieutenant. Please
accept my sympathy in your hour OF sad |
bereavement. and believe me
Your friend, FRANK HATTON.
CThe end) |