Obituary

Messrs Editors:-

Thinking your readers might feel interested in knowing of the circumstances attendant on the death of William A. Smith, Orderly Sergeant of Company “F”, 7^th Illinois Cavalry, and formerly a resident of our County, I herewith send you a copy of the letter I received from his brother-in-law.

Camp on the Coffeeville Road,

Mississippi, Dec. 12^th, 1862

Dear Sister:-

With a heavy heart do I take my pen in hand to communicate something very sorrowful to you and the friends.  I must inform you that we have had some very  severe fighting with the rebels between here and Coffeeville, in which we have suffered some loss in killed and wounded.

Among the killed, I am sorry to tell you, is your husband Wm. A. Smith…. He fell like a soldier on the evening of the 5^th inst., in the skirmish at Coffeeville.  We were at the time, compelled to fall back, but in a few days, myself and Chance went back with Captain Webster under a flag of truce, and we found that he had been buried after the fashion of all soldiers on the field, without any coffin and wrapped in a blanket.  We took him up, had a good coffin made for him and buried him right.  He had new clothes on and we left them on him and put one blanket under his body and one under his head.

He looked as natural as if he was asleep, I think he must have died an easy death.  He was shot in the back while in the act of turning his horse to retreat.  Four shots hit him and I think one passed through his heart.  His horse was shot under him.  He had seven dollars in his pocket.  The man that buried him got it and gave it to a wounded soldier and he gave it to me.  We buried him on the farm of a man by the name of King.

Now sister, bear the shock as calmly as you possibly can and put your trust in HIM who has promised to be a husband to the widow and a father to the orphans.  You have the sympathy of many warm friends in this Company, who have vowed to avenge William’s death.

I as ever remain your brother until death.

John B. Chandler

We were married eleven years ago the 12^th day of last August.  I am left with five little emblems of Love.  He was an affectionate companion and a kind father.  He has been in the service fifteen months and sixteen days.  In that time he has written me many interesting letters, some of which I would like to have printed in your paper, if it is thought desirable.

It was hard to give him up, but I feel resigned to the will of God, and my heart says, “Sweetly sleep companion, at the appointed time I will come to thee”.

Mary Smith

Fosterburg, December 21^st, 1862