Monday night, January 12, 1863.
We have been in deep affliction. At last this cruel war has taken a victim from our family. On Thursday, the 8th,
I received a dispatch from Mr. Stuart, stating that Addy was dead, that
his remains would be brought to Staunton, and requesting me to meet
Sister in Lynchburg on Friday. I felt that I had received a staggering
blow, and oh! the overwhelming sympathy for his heart-broken mother — he
her only son. — And such a son! — So obedient, affectionate,
sympathizing — so upright, truthful and brave. Before he was quite
seventeen years of age he entered the army as an "orderly" to Col. Harry
L. Edmundson of Roanoke Co. The schools had been disbanded and he was
left unemployed and without an associate, all the youths of
Christiansburg about his age and older,
being in the service. He became so restless and unhappy, that when the
comparatively safe and easy position alluded to was offered to him, his
parents withdrew their allowed
him to accept it. He went through the Kentucky campaign, returned to
Wytheville, Va., went thence with his regiment to Richmond, and soon
afterwards to Petersburg. From every point he wrote to his mother,
cheering her up, and assuring her that he would be happy if he only knew
she was not in trouble about him. Again he wrote that the regiment was
on the point of moving, he knew not whither — next, only four days
afterwards, came a dispatch saying that he had died of pneumonia, after
an illness of twenty-four hours, and his remains would be forwarded. I
met his mother at a hotel in Lynchburg. Friday night, and returned with
her to Staunton on Saturday — a most mournful journey. Never can I
forget that night as we sat in a dark room, she talking about her loved
and loving boy, and I trying to comfort her. Mary, who came to Lynchburg
with her mother, returned home next morning in the three o'clock train.
And there we sat in the dark, till she shivered with cold, and I
persuaded her to lie down. He was a son to love and be proud of. He was
cheerful, social, accommodating, conscientious and a universal favorite.
Long ago, he came forward, of his own accord; and made a profession of
religion — recently, when about to march, he wrote to his mother, "I go
cheerfully, trusting in God." On one occasion, upon his mother, with tender solicitude inquiring as to his habit of prayer, he said, "Why Ma, I pray as I am going to school." We have learned
by telegraph to-day that in his last moments his mind was unclouded and
hopeful. He died at Franklin, N. C., on Blackwater River. He was a
universal favorite, for he was always ready to do a kind act, to whoever
needed it. His battalion was dismounted on a recent occasion and
required to march on foot, owing to his position he was permitted to
retain his horse, but he tendered it to a soldier who, he thought, was
less able to walk than himself. All his acquaintances, of every rank,
have testified to his noble traits, and expressed affection for him. But
he is gone from us — God has ordered it so, and oh let us bow to His
will. His stricken mother broke forth into praise when she received the
dispatch this morning, stating that in his last moments his mind was
unclouded and hopeful. Notwithstanding the arrangements I had made in
Lynchburg, the remains passed through that place and went to
Christiansburg. They will arrive here to- morrow evening. It is painful
to me to write these lines, but I want to have some tribute to the dear
boy. — God grant that we all may have true faith in Christ and obedience
to Him, so that we shall at last meet in heaven. Mr. Stuart is at home,
sick.
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
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