Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1905-01-12
IN MEMORIAM.
Beautiful Tribute to the Sold
Jerry Record and Cheerful,
Heroic Endurance Oftfle
Late John B.. Baker.

greet the beginning cfa New Year,
the Great Orderly called John B.
Baker and che fell on sleep" Let
US humbly trust he went down into
the dark valley unafraid, and e.
merged from it's shadows to greet the
glories Of the eternal morning.
MI. Baker was the eldest son of
the late Col. Jesse ]. Baker, and was
born April 80, 1912. He never mar
ried. In boyhood he went to school
at the Goldsboro Male Academy and
subsequently to the Hampton, Vir-
ginia, Military Institute. In the
spring of 1861, just prior to the be-
ginning of the war, he was at home,
and on the 18th of April, when Gov
ernor Ellis ordered the G%oldsboro
Rifles to proceed to Fort Macon and
take possession of the fort, he was
one of that gay and gallant band
who marched away gladly to do and
dare in the defense of his State and
beloved Southland. How faithfully
that duty was performed read but
the story of the Company (known
during the war as Company A, 9th
Regiment N. @. Infantry whose
history is written in the blood of our
best and bravest on nearly every
battlefield from Newbern to Apo
mattox. North Carolina sent many
brave and worthy men to the front in
the trying days of lS61-65, but none
Drawer, none truer, none Q faith
tul to duty than Orderly Seageatt
John B. Baker. Fearless in battle,
cheerful and patient on the weary,
toilsome march, friendly and pleas
ideal Southern soldier. Participant
ing in nearly all the battles in which
the 9th Regiment was engaged, he
was never wounded, but escaped un-
hurt. He had, however, some4close
calls, and at Bristoe Station had his
canteen cut from his shoulder by a
minnie ball. He was twice taken
prisoner, being catured first Sept II,
1861, at Sharpsburg, and again at
Reams Station, Aug. %, 1864. His
frstimprisonment wasforonlyashort
while, when he was exchanged and
returned to his regiment. The sec
ond time he was carried to Harts Is
land, New York, and confined there
till the end of the a
On his return home after the close
of hostilities, he engaged in farm
ing. Some time in the seventies,
while demonstrating with IN Of his
negro farm hands about some dere-
LECTION of duty, the negro struck him
a blow on the head. While the blow
gave him no material trouble for
some time, it eventually eliminated
in palsy and paralysis from which
he suffered for % years and to the
end of his life. For Is years he was
unable to go to the table, and for II
wears could not use his hands to feed
himself or hold a book or newspa-
per. Through all these years of
pain and suffering he displayed the
same fortitude which characterized
his conduct in The army. He was
never impatient or complained.
While his sickness was long and ted
ious, he was supremely blessed with
loving and devoted sisters to minis
ter to his peeds. The unremittlng
care, the sweet, loving ministrations
anticipating his wishes, day and
night, through the weary years of a
quarter Of a century by his sisters,
Mrs. Olive Hunt and Miss Annie
Baker, are known only to Him
whose grace was sufficient for them
Their loving attention was beautiful
it was lovely, it was divine. It shall
beaccounted unto themfor righteous
and shine in their crown for
ever as the stars in the Permanent.
The aged mother, in her 85tf
year, helpless with rhenamatism
still abides, and with an unfalterins
faith, and her eyes turned toward
the everlasting hills, is patiently
waiting for the call of the Master.
One by one the old Confederate
are striking tent to join the home
ward march. Let us all hope the.
may all answer "here" in the Div
ouac of the blessed.
Companion of boyhood days, com
rade in battle, friend of mature years
hail and farewell!
Lightly lie the turf upon thy man