Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-18
A BRAVE YOUNG CONFEDERATE
7 he brsvest are the tender, t;
The loving are the daring

ne DrAVcSt are Un6 teuu6IS
The loving are the daring
"In memory OF Msjor Charles c..
Hume, @. s. A., son OF Charles and
Frances Virginia Hume; born in Cul-
pepper, Va, February 2, A. D. 1912;
died May 20, 1868, in this vici nifty,
iu the line of duty-a brave young hero
in the army Of Northern Virginia"
The foregoing inscription on a
stained glass memorial window in
Pickewaxen Episcopal Church, Charles
county, Maryland, preserves at once
the record OF the close of gallant
young life, and of the fidelity and ten
derness of friends who valued it be-
cause it was heroic. 10 the centre OF
the window is broken column. Above
this is q Maltese cross bearing the
legend, Faithful Unto Death" and be
low, a medallion holds the words, "Pro
Dio; Pro Patria. Pro Libertata."
Death came to the "Young Hero"
IN the beginning of the first year
OF his legal manhood; yet when
he was already an old soldier
upon whom the severe exacions of the
most perlous service to which the Con-
federacy could devote ils children had
wrought their mysteries Of manhood's
lhoughtiulness, skill and constancS.
The service in which he met his death
was one that had long and successfully
engaged him-tbat of passing through
the lines OF the enemy confronting the
army of Northern Virginia; gathering
Information of his position, numbers
and purposes; and then, repassing to
communicate the results of his observe
lions to this immediate chief, Gen. J. E
8. Stuart. This line of dangerous duty
led him more than once into the very
capital OF the enemy, and always in
the rear of the grand armies that we're
moving "on to Richmond" II involved
toe necessity Of immediate and FIRE
uuent personal contact and intercourse
with Federal soldiers, when not only
his usefulness as scout but bis life de.
pended on his art In concealing his
IDENTIFY. Every step he took was
perilous: yet for years his fortune main
aimed the ascendent. Uncommon
uealth, strength and courage; dexterity
and sulf-possession under conditions
however sudden, unexpected aud SEEM
iogly hopeless, together With thorough
knowledge OF the country and people,
fitted him for his difficult part in the
grim tragedy OF war.
The last chapter OF the life OF this
ideal soldier is gathered from the pro-
sale official reports which neither praise
nor blame, but yet cannot conceal the
pathos OF the closing scene. b..
Captain Joseph Croft, commanding
Compa ~ B, h regiment, Maryland
yoluD tsers (Union), was on guard duty
on the Maryland side OF the Potomac,
at Chapel Point, Charles county, Oh
May 20, 1868 90 the evening OF that
dav a detail from the company was pa
trolling the river. The detail consisted
of Lsttimer and Sylvester Stockman,
brothers, and Charles Keeler. They
discovered three men in a fodder house
and demanded their surrender. Two
simpson and Brown, surrendered; the
third, Watt Bowie, escaped.
The patrol, With their two prisoners,
proceeding towards the company's
quarters, were joined by another man,
who seems to have mistaken the party
for friends, the hour being about tWi-
light. He discovered his mis- AXE OF
once. but two late to escape arrest
The march was continued, the, now,
three prisoners in front. The last
prisoner was Hume. Beginning con-
yersatiou with the patrol, he asked the
name OF their command, and suddehiy
facing them, said: "You are Harper o
Ferry prisoners and have not been ex-
changed !" This was denied by the
men. who asserted that they had been
regularly exchanged. Hume repeated
! his charge, and added II will Kill you
all. He instantly fired his pistol at
Sylv ester StockmaD, wcundiug MS
hand; but the fire was promptly an
swered by both OF the guard and Hume
fell dead at the muzzle oftheir muskets.
| The other prisoners threw up theif
hands, making no resistance, and were
marched 20 the oompsny's quarters
Hume's body was left until detail,
ssnt for that purpose, conveyed lt 70
camp. At the time OF his death, Hume
wore an overcoat, and under 1t full
Confederate uniform, rank of msJor;
and on one hand was large plain gold
ring. Besides, quite sum OF money
and papers of great value to the Con,
federate government were found on sno
taken from bis person.
Citizens OF Charles county who mao
been friendly to Hume were permitted
upon request, to give his body burial
and all that remained OF the valiant ano
faitbful scout was consigned by gentle
hands to mother earth at Pickewsxer
Church, the Rev. J. M. Todd officiating
This is all. The soft sky bends
O'er him, tapped 10 earth away;
Her benignest Influence LENDS
Dews and rains and radience SENDS
Dovn upon him night and dsy.
over him the springtide weaves
All the verdue OF her May;
Past him Drift the sombre leaves
When tae heart Of autumn grieves
Der bis slumbers.
What so sweet as youth; what so oesu'iiui
courage; Al
What 40 grand as love Of country; what 30 o.
vine as eelf-davotion!
] To him who was young, brave, pssfsou'