William DeWolf Memoriam

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IN MEMORIAM

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM DEWOLF,

OF THE 3D REGIMENT U. S. ARTILLERY.

From the CHICAGO TRIBUNE of the 5th of June, 1862.

Died. At the residence of Hon. I. N. ARNOLD, Washington City, on the morning of June 2nd, Lieutenant WILLIAM DEWOLF, of the 3d U. S. Artillery, in the 21st year of his age.

Truly has the dart of "the insatiate archer" found a shining mark. Scarcely two months have elapsed since this young hero went forth from our midst, full of life and promise, bearing the honorable scars which, as one of Taylor's Battery, he had gained in the conflict at Belmont; and scarcely refreshed from the toils and sufferings at Fort Donelson, yet hastening with loyal zeal to take his newly appointed place, the reward of his services, in the army of the Potomac. After a period of service before Yorktown, his fortune was to accompany his battery, (Gibson's Flying Artillery) in the advance toward Williamsburg, and it was in the charge upon an advanced portion of the enemy's cavalry, on the day preceding the battle of Williamsburg, that the wounds were received, which, after four weeks of alternation of hope and fear on the part of the mother who watched, and the friends who waited, have terminated his youthful career. How gallantly he bore himself upon that fatal field, his mournful comrades will tell. Dismounted by a shot, which, tearing through one limb, at the same time stretched his horse lifeless, he lost no time in seizing another steed which rushed riderless past him, and plunging again into the fight, continued, though badly wounded a second time, to encourage his men, and maintained his position until his battery was withdrawn from the field. This was the closing act of one who has been, in no ordinary degree, beloved and honored among us, for his frank, loyal, affectionate temper, noble gallantry of sentiment, his pure and spotless life. His example, alas, is also his legacy. His remains will be brought back to his home by his sorrow-stricken friends. The Sabbath bell, which so lately sounded the requiem of his brave companions in arms, will again toll out to call a mourning circle, not alone of crushed friends, for a whole city will shed tears of grief and sympathy over one who will long be remembered with pride, and tenderest affection.

FUNERAL OF WILLIAM DEWOLF.

From the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, June 12th, 1862.

The remains of the late lamented and gallant Lieut. WM. DEWOLF, of the Third United States Artillery, who died upon the 2d inst., at Washington, from his wounds received at the battle of Williamsburg, were buried on Sunday, from St. James Church, Rev. Dr. CLARKSON officiating. A very large audience was in attendance, and the funeral services were unusually solemn and impressive. The Rector, during the course of the services, delivered the following touching eulogy upon the lamented dead:

Another of our noble boys has fallen. Here lies all that could die of one of the bravest and manliest, and best of the youth of our land, who have ventured their lives for their country. If it is a sad duty for us to lay away in the dark tomb one who was so pure and lovely in character, so faithful and prompt in duty, and in whom were garnered so many hopes of hearts already pierced through and through with the shafts of life's sorrows, it is certainly a consoling reflection that he lived this life, and died the death of a dutiful son, a useful citizen, and a heroic Christian soldier. We, who have known him for his lifetime, as child, boy, youth, man, soldier--know very well that since this dreadful war began, death hath laid his cold hand upon no nobler heart. Generous and open as the day, ingenuous and guileless as a child, gentle and loving as a woman, bright-hearted, faithful, true and prayerful! What more can be said of any man--what less could be said of him? Oh, how wonderful are God's providences! If we had taken up the list of our brave forty-seven, (God bless and keep them all), and had gone over it carefully to see which one of all would be the hardest to spare, we should, as we thought of his home so long darkened by the shadows of a great grief, and of his own heroic qualities so pre-eminently useful in his country's need, have said, "Take any one before William DeWolf." But God knew better what was best for him, best for those who loved him, and best for us who held him up as our model, and he wrote his name, the second on the list of our noble roll of martyrs. Two have gone already--forty-five yet remain. God grant that this list of our martyrs may grow no longer! But this can hardly be. Somewhere on the walls of the tower yet to be built to this church that we love, shall we cause to be carved in the enduring rock the honored names of these gallant youths of ours, who have sacrificed their lives for us. There those names shall stand, and as we and our children come into and go out of God's house, we shall associate these names with our holiest and best thoughts. We shall call to mind their virtues, and tell over their heroic deeds, and hold their memories in grateful reverence. What an unspeakable comfort it ought to be to us, now, as we begin to bury our dear lads, that we gave them our blessing when they went away--that we have followed then Sunday by Sunday with our prayers, as well as all the while with our solicitudes. We have prayed not only that God would save and protect them, but chiefly that He would forgive them all their sins for the Savior's sake, and make them ready to die; and we believe that God hears our prayers. And once more to you, young men, the friends and companions of this beloved youth, has come a solemn and striking message. I beseech you to hearken to it and be wise. Come consecrate the freshness and vigor of your young life to that Savior who we believe accepted and owned as his child this dear departed youth. Oh! remember that when you come to die, there will be nothing--not youth, or talent, or human love, or human fame of any worth, save only the blood, the precious blood of Jesus Christ, that cleanseth from all sin. Among the last rational sentences that fell from the lips of this brave lad, the last music that his voice and spirit sang before he joined the angel choirs, was that beautiful hymn, "Heaven is my home." He little thought how very soon he would be tasting the delights of his new and glorious abode. What a beautiful and blessed hour for such a burial, the quiet and holy evening of Whit-Sunday, "so lone, so calm, so bright, bridal of the earth and sky." This was the day that in the early time God's spirit was poured out with pentecostal power upon the church. Come, Holy Spirit, Comforter, soothe and bless these aching hearts! Come, Holy Spirit, Lord and Life-giver, awaken these young hearts to the life immortal, and shed upon us all the dews of divine grace, so that when our last conflict on earth is over and we are laid to our long sleep, it may be with the joyful hope of rising again in the likeness of our Lord and Savior.

Extract from a private letter to the CHICAGO TIMES, dated Washington, June 5th, 1862.

On Tuesday morning last the gallant WILLIE DEWOLF breathed his last. He, you know, was wounded at or near Williamsburg, Va., one month since, receiving two balls in his left leg. This was the third battle in which he took a part, and gave evidence of true courage and much ability. His wounds were not considered dangerous, but the typhoid fever, as is usual, supervened, and caused his death. A mother's love and devotion soothed his dying moments, and calmly, peacefully, he obeyed the behest of the God of battles to surrender his soul to Him. Chicago has offered up no nobler victim as a sacrifice to the infernal demon of rebellion--none truer, braver. May the consciousness of this fact alleviate the terrors of his death to those who knew and loved him.

In Memoriam

Wm D Wolf

With J. H. Kinzie letter 7/16/62 With S. S. Church letter 7/15/62 With Mark Skinner letter 7/16/62 With J. L. Scripps letter 7/16/62 With J. L. James letter 7/15/62 With A. C. Coventry letter 7/15/62 With C. H. May letter 7/16/62 With Elliott Anthony letter 7/16/62