Killed in Action
Malvern Hill, Virginia
1st Rockbridge Artillery
"Charles Wyndham Gay.--On Tuesday, the first day of July, Charles Wyndham Gay, in his 21st year, eldest son of Charles S. and Margaret L. Gay, of Augusta county, Va., and a member of the Danville Artillery, was killed on the battlefield below Richmond. His devoted comrades in arms, among whom was one of his brothers, wrapped him in his blanket and carefully laid him in an adjacent church-yard, thence to be removed by warm hearted and affectionate friends to the city of Richmond, and now reposes under the sweet shades of Hollywood. No rude or unfriendly hand touched him after the fatal missile had done its work.--He was tenderly cared for by those who knew him; was mourned over by sympathising hearts, as the solemn words were spoken by God's minister. He was borne to his quiet resting place by loving hands, and his grave was watered by tears of affection and covered with flowers fresh and beautiful as were the hopes of his young heart a few hours before! And yet, father, mother, brothers and sisters, were far away! God reward those who thus cared for the young soldier in his death!
Attached to the blanket containing his body was found a slip of paper, on which were written his name, place of residence, and some particulars of his death, concluding with these words: "He died nobly in defence of Southern freedom."
And so the young hero sleeps well. His work is done, his duties over, and his bright spirit has winged its upward flight to God who gave it!
Among the many who have fallen in defence of our sacred cause, no purer, truer, or more noble martyr, has yielded up his life. None but those who knew his inner nature could fully appreciate his virtues. A student by habit and choice, a ripe scholar for his age, matured in thought and judgment beyond his years, truthful to a proverb, following duties in its thorniest paths with cheerful alacrity, pure and modest as a girl, never known to utter a profane word, a son who never gave a pang of grief to a parent's heart, and, above all, as we feel assured, a Christian warrior, he fell, with his Bible near his heart, in the front of battle, just as the true hero prays to die.
Soon after the war commenced he consecrated himself to his country's service, never pausing to inquire who will go or who will stay, but, taking his younger brother by the hand, he stepped forth to fight for country and for freedom. Once only did his mother, knowing how delicate his health had been, venture to suggest to him that some other situation could be procured for him, equally useful, and perhaps less exposed, than that of a soldier. He burst into manly tears, saying, "Mother, I did not expect that of you!"
Ever after, that mother's prayers followed him like angels, and bore him through the trials and perils of war; and in the final moment, we doubt not, with a wall of human agony heard in the spirit land, gave him over to angels' hands, to be borne by them to his Saviour's side. And still let us who remain, though sorrowing and in tears, with cheerful faith that "all is full of blessings," with undying love of liberty and unfaltering trust in God, pray for peace and fight to win it! and the dawning smile of our favoring God shall grow brighter into the perfect day of National Independence."
(The Daily Dispatch, July 22, 1862, Richmond, VA)
via Sassytazzy
Malvern Hill, Virginia
1st Rockbridge Artillery
"Charles Wyndham Gay.--On Tuesday, the first day of July, Charles Wyndham Gay, in his 21st year, eldest son of Charles S. and Margaret L. Gay, of Augusta county, Va., and a member of the Danville Artillery, was killed on the battlefield below Richmond. His devoted comrades in arms, among whom was one of his brothers, wrapped him in his blanket and carefully laid him in an adjacent church-yard, thence to be removed by warm hearted and affectionate friends to the city of Richmond, and now reposes under the sweet shades of Hollywood. No rude or unfriendly hand touched him after the fatal missile had done its work.--He was tenderly cared for by those who knew him; was mourned over by sympathising hearts, as the solemn words were spoken by God's minister. He was borne to his quiet resting place by loving hands, and his grave was watered by tears of affection and covered with flowers fresh and beautiful as were the hopes of his young heart a few hours before! And yet, father, mother, brothers and sisters, were far away! God reward those who thus cared for the young soldier in his death!
Attached to the blanket containing his body was found a slip of paper, on which were written his name, place of residence, and some particulars of his death, concluding with these words: "He died nobly in defence of Southern freedom."
And so the young hero sleeps well. His work is done, his duties over, and his bright spirit has winged its upward flight to God who gave it!
Among the many who have fallen in defence of our sacred cause, no purer, truer, or more noble martyr, has yielded up his life. None but those who knew his inner nature could fully appreciate his virtues. A student by habit and choice, a ripe scholar for his age, matured in thought and judgment beyond his years, truthful to a proverb, following duties in its thorniest paths with cheerful alacrity, pure and modest as a girl, never known to utter a profane word, a son who never gave a pang of grief to a parent's heart, and, above all, as we feel assured, a Christian warrior, he fell, with his Bible near his heart, in the front of battle, just as the true hero prays to die.
Soon after the war commenced he consecrated himself to his country's service, never pausing to inquire who will go or who will stay, but, taking his younger brother by the hand, he stepped forth to fight for country and for freedom. Once only did his mother, knowing how delicate his health had been, venture to suggest to him that some other situation could be procured for him, equally useful, and perhaps less exposed, than that of a soldier. He burst into manly tears, saying, "Mother, I did not expect that of you!"
Ever after, that mother's prayers followed him like angels, and bore him through the trials and perils of war; and in the final moment, we doubt not, with a wall of human agony heard in the spirit land, gave him over to angels' hands, to be borne by them to his Saviour's side. And still let us who remain, though sorrowing and in tears, with cheerful faith that "all is full of blessings," with undying love of liberty and unfaltering trust in God, pray for peace and fight to win it! and the dawning smile of our favoring God shall grow brighter into the perfect day of National Independence."
(The Daily Dispatch, July 22, 1862, Richmond, VA)
via Sassytazzy
Killed in Action
Malvern Hill, Virginia
1st Rockbridge Artillery
"Charles Wyndham Gay.--On Tuesday, the first day of July, Charles Wyndham Gay, in his 21st year, eldest son of Charles S. and Margaret L. Gay, of Augusta county, Va., and a member of the Danville Artillery, was killed on the battlefield below Richmond. His devoted comrades in arms, among whom was one of his brothers, wrapped him in his blanket and carefully laid him in an adjacent church-yard, thence to be removed by warm hearted and affectionate friends to the city of Richmond, and now reposes under the sweet shades of Hollywood. No rude or unfriendly hand touched him after the fatal missile had done its work.--He was tenderly cared for by those who knew him; was mourned over by sympathising hearts, as the solemn words were spoken by God's minister. He was borne to his quiet resting place by loving hands, and his grave was watered by tears of affection and covered with flowers fresh and beautiful as were the hopes of his young heart a few hours before! And yet, father, mother, brothers and sisters, were far away! God reward those who thus cared for the young soldier in his death!
Attached to the blanket containing his body was found a slip of paper, on which were written his name, place of residence, and some particulars of his death, concluding with these words: "He died nobly in defence of Southern freedom."
And so the young hero sleeps well. His work is done, his duties over, and his bright spirit has winged its upward flight to God who gave it!
Among the many who have fallen in defence of our sacred cause, no purer, truer, or more noble martyr, has yielded up his life. None but those who knew his inner nature could fully appreciate his virtues. A student by habit and choice, a ripe scholar for his age, matured in thought and judgment beyond his years, truthful to a proverb, following duties in its thorniest paths with cheerful alacrity, pure and modest as a girl, never known to utter a profane word, a son who never gave a pang of grief to a parent's heart, and, above all, as we feel assured, a Christian warrior, he fell, with his Bible near his heart, in the front of battle, just as the true hero prays to die.
Soon after the war commenced he consecrated himself to his country's service, never pausing to inquire who will go or who will stay, but, taking his younger brother by the hand, he stepped forth to fight for country and for freedom. Once only did his mother, knowing how delicate his health had been, venture to suggest to him that some other situation could be procured for him, equally useful, and perhaps less exposed, than that of a soldier. He burst into manly tears, saying, "Mother, I did not expect that of you!"
Ever after, that mother's prayers followed him like angels, and bore him through the trials and perils of war; and in the final moment, we doubt not, with a wall of human agony heard in the spirit land, gave him over to angels' hands, to be borne by them to his Saviour's side. And still let us who remain, though sorrowing and in tears, with cheerful faith that "all is full of blessings," with undying love of liberty and unfaltering trust in God, pray for peace and fight to win it! and the dawning smile of our favoring God shall grow brighter into the perfect day of National Independence."
(The Daily Dispatch, July 22, 1862, Richmond, VA)
via Sassytazzy
Malvern Hill, Virginia
1st Rockbridge Artillery
"Charles Wyndham Gay.--On Tuesday, the first day of July, Charles Wyndham Gay, in his 21st year, eldest son of Charles S. and Margaret L. Gay, of Augusta county, Va., and a member of the Danville Artillery, was killed on the battlefield below Richmond. His devoted comrades in arms, among whom was one of his brothers, wrapped him in his blanket and carefully laid him in an adjacent church-yard, thence to be removed by warm hearted and affectionate friends to the city of Richmond, and now reposes under the sweet shades of Hollywood. No rude or unfriendly hand touched him after the fatal missile had done its work.--He was tenderly cared for by those who knew him; was mourned over by sympathising hearts, as the solemn words were spoken by God's minister. He was borne to his quiet resting place by loving hands, and his grave was watered by tears of affection and covered with flowers fresh and beautiful as were the hopes of his young heart a few hours before! And yet, father, mother, brothers and sisters, were far away! God reward those who thus cared for the young soldier in his death!
Attached to the blanket containing his body was found a slip of paper, on which were written his name, place of residence, and some particulars of his death, concluding with these words: "He died nobly in defence of Southern freedom."
And so the young hero sleeps well. His work is done, his duties over, and his bright spirit has winged its upward flight to God who gave it!
Among the many who have fallen in defence of our sacred cause, no purer, truer, or more noble martyr, has yielded up his life. None but those who knew his inner nature could fully appreciate his virtues. A student by habit and choice, a ripe scholar for his age, matured in thought and judgment beyond his years, truthful to a proverb, following duties in its thorniest paths with cheerful alacrity, pure and modest as a girl, never known to utter a profane word, a son who never gave a pang of grief to a parent's heart, and, above all, as we feel assured, a Christian warrior, he fell, with his Bible near his heart, in the front of battle, just as the true hero prays to die.
Soon after the war commenced he consecrated himself to his country's service, never pausing to inquire who will go or who will stay, but, taking his younger brother by the hand, he stepped forth to fight for country and for freedom. Once only did his mother, knowing how delicate his health had been, venture to suggest to him that some other situation could be procured for him, equally useful, and perhaps less exposed, than that of a soldier. He burst into manly tears, saying, "Mother, I did not expect that of you!"
Ever after, that mother's prayers followed him like angels, and bore him through the trials and perils of war; and in the final moment, we doubt not, with a wall of human agony heard in the spirit land, gave him over to angels' hands, to be borne by them to his Saviour's side. And still let us who remain, though sorrowing and in tears, with cheerful faith that "all is full of blessings," with undying love of liberty and unfaltering trust in God, pray for peace and fight to win it! and the dawning smile of our favoring God shall grow brighter into the perfect day of National Independence."
(The Daily Dispatch, July 22, 1862, Richmond, VA)
via Sassytazzy
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
