The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-05-06
Col. Henry M. Shaw.

WIZ AAAA "
Letter Written by Gen. Cling
man to the Widow of the
Gallant Confederate Relat-
ing the Circumstances OF
His Death, While at the
Head of His Command
Near Kinston, N. c., Feb.
lst, 1864.
Kittrell. n. e.. May 3. 1909.
EDITOR GOLD Leaf found the fol-
lowing letter in an old wartime paper.
the Raleigh Confederate, OF Feb. Is,
1864. | send you a copy of it for publ
cation in order that Col. Shaw's grand
children. who live in Henderson and
Oxford may zee it. | much regret that
did not find it during the lifetime OF my
friend. Major W. B. Shaw. | am told
that the family does not possess the
original letter. Probably it never reached
them.
Col. Shaw was killed before daybreak.
on the morning of Feb. /. 1864 His
regiment. the 9Th North Carolina. formed
part of the force with which Pickett was
advancing against New Bern. While
seated on his horse at the head OF his
regiment he was instantly killed by
random shot coming from a force some
200 wards distant that his advance
guard had engaged in the dark. Col.
Shaw ranked with the ablest and most
gallant officers that the State produced.
0. W. BLACKNALL.
Following is the letter referred to:
Camp near kinston. Feb +. 1864.
Mrs. HENRY NJ. SHAW,
MADAM:-The most painful duty has
devOlved on me OF communicating to
YOU the death of your brave and noble
husband.
Az we were riding together at the
head of the Brigade on the morning OF
the LIST inst, about three O'Clock. he re-
ceived the wound, and his death was
immedia te and seemingly without pain,
while the placid smile that rested on his
cOuntenance after death struck the be-
holder as implying a satisfaction that he
had fallen in the discharge OF duty.
No more exemplary officer, no truer
and more patriotic man has fallen in
this bloody conflict, and no one more
sincerely lamented by all to whom he
was well known.
As the ranking Colonel of my Brigade
for nearly eighteen months, my associa-
tions with him were constant and init
mate. and | can say with perfect truth
that he was more attentive to all the du
ties of his position than any officer
have ever been in contact with. and the
drill and discipline'of his Regiment made
it the object of the highest commenda-
| tion wherever it was seen.
| have, too, seen him in positions OF
| the greatest danger, and when under
| the heaviest fire his courage, his GOODNESS
| and his self-pOs-essiOn were not sur
| passed by any soldier in the army. |
| can bestow no higher praise on him than
! to say that his merit as a public man
and officer was equal to his worth in the
social relations of life.
For such an irrepar,ble loss. that
you may receive consolation from Him
| alone who can give as well M take
| away all that is best in life, is my sincere
| prayer.
With sentiments of the highest respect,
am,
Very truly. etc.
+. l.. CLINGMAN.
Brigadier General.
The publication OF this letter in the
| Raleigh Confederate and the doubt
| expressed bv Mr.. Blacknall as to
whether il ever reached the family of
Col. Shaw. is explained in the follow
ing which accompanied it's trains
mission TO the Raleigh paper:
| Camp near Petersburg. Va,
| February 10, 1864.
| MIR. EDITOR:-The above letter having
been handed me by General Clingman to
| be forwarded to the wife of the lamented
Col. Shaw, and owing to the fact that
she resides in the enemy's lines. and the
uncertainty OF its reaching it's dpstina-
ton. request that you will give it a
place in your columns
Respectfully, etc.
G. W. GRANDY.