Co A, 9th Regiment, SC Infantry,. He joined the CSA as a Corporal and made it to Sergeant Major.
========
John Alexander Stewman, Esq.
The many friends and numerous admirers of this most excellent and worthy citizen, have, with deep and painful regret realized his death. His aged and widowed mother, and affectionate sisters and brothers are bowed down with this mournful inseparable and additional affliction. He was born December 21st, 1824, and died in Richmond Va., 9th February 1862.
For eight years he was Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Lancaster District, which office he filled with great credit to himself, with entire satisfaction to the people, and with the highest commendations of the Bar and Court. In after years, the neat, proper, and business like manner in which that office was conducted by him, will be referred to as a model for his successors. That alone would be a monument to his memory.
Immediately after South Carolina had seceded, and when she stood alone and called upon her sons to rally to her standard, he promptly and patriotically responded to the call, and enrolled his name amount the "Lancaster Greys," went with the Company to Charleston in April last, remained with it (as a Corporal) until the company entered the Confederate service with the intention of being ordered to Virginia. He accompanied the l there he was detached from the ordinary drill of that corps as the Clerk of the Adjutant. During that time in all the marches of the company, when a battle was expected, he shouldered his rifle and went with the company. A vacancy having occurred in the office of Sergeant Major of the 9th Regiment, he was appointed to that office. In the courteous and efficient discharge of the duties of these positions, he was respected, appreciated, and esteemed by the entire Regiment. From principle, he was a patriot; from principle, he was a correct, upright, honest man. The writer of this tribute had known him from boyhood, knew him intimately, knew him most favorably; but it was his camp service, where for four months he was one of his mess and his bed fellow, that his patriotism, his sterling integrity, his purity of thoughts and sentiments, his condemnation of wrong and his firmness and devotion to right, shone brighter and brighter and fully developed the man. There around the camp fire, he remembered and spoke in tender and affectionate strains of the aged and devoted mother who had borne, caressed, and nurtured him. Her welfare and comfort were his great anxiety. There too, he was often found alone in the tent, reading the Holy Bible, which he had taken from home, and would arise from its perusal with a joy and satisfaction as if he had found a sweet consolation in its teachings.
His remains were brought home and buried with the honors of War on Saturday, March 1st. The large and sorrowful train of relatives and friends in attendance on his funeral, evinced the loss of one highly respected and much esteemed. A very feeling and appropriate discourse from James, 4th Chap. 14th verse, "what is your life," was preached by Rev. J.N. Craig, his late comrade in service, and Chaplain of the 9th Regiment S.C.V.
Four brothers, with a gallantry and patriotism which reflects honor upon the name and their memories, were volunteers in the Confederate service, two of whom, Phillip and John A., here fallen by disease. Miles and Samuel are still in service in Virginia.
Young men of Lancaster, sons and brothers, go to the grave of John A Stewman, reflect upon his life, recall his many virtues and excellencies. Imitate him in all the relations of life, you will find it profitable. In him you find a noble example of a model man; noble impulses will arise in your minds which will stimulate you to likewise be a man. He was a self made man, acted well his part - "there all the honor lies."
Farewell, dear friend! Farewell, noble and patriotic man! It was your sad destiny to die far from home, away from the tender and soothing cares and attentions of that "Good old mother," whose affectionate embrace would have been a sweet consolation to you in the dying hour, but we must submit to the Providence of God. - You have been cut down in the vigor of life, and in the midst of your usefulness. To your friends and relatives, to the human vision, it would seem that such men ought to have been spared, but 'God called thee hence, he thought it best." J.H.W.
The Lancaster Ledger - March 5, 1862 - provided by: Catoe4