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Saturday, April 28, 2018

"Suicide of a Conscript"

A few days ago a man named G. W. Hendricks was brought from Russell county to this city, as a conscript loth to do his duty and prone to desert. He was taken before the proper authorities, where he was soon discovered to be "non compos mentis." On Sunday night he was accommodated with lodgings at the Powhatan Hotel, and on Monday morning died, from what afterward proved to be an overdose of morphene, obtained no one could tell how. His friends took charge of his body for embalment and transportation back to Russell county. We are told that the unfortunate man served at Fort Donelson, was taken prisoner there by the Yankees, cruely treated with his brother soldiers at the prison (Camp Chase,) and since his return had escaped the conscription by reason of being over thirty-five years of age, until Congress amended the law; then he attempted to put in a substitute, but failed, the substitute not being accepted. Being brought to Richmond as a conscript, the desperate act which he committed culminated his career and quited his anxieties. - Richmond Enquirer, March 4th.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

"Carry me home", The Death of Nathan W. Easterly

Southern Virginia and Tennessee Advocate, Abingdon, VA

Obituary of Nathan W. Easterly
July 31, 1862
On Friday, the 27th of June 1862, in one of the late battles near the city of Richmond, NATHAN W. son of Rev. C. EASTERLY, of Russell county, Va., was killed by being shot through the breast, only living a few minutes after receiving the fatal messenger, which time was spent in fervent prayer - his last words being, "carry me home."A marked change had been noticed by his comrades in arms for some time previous, which affords strong grounds of hope, that he is now in heaven.
Nathan volunteered and joined Capt. McElhaney's company, under the immortal Fulkerson, who fell very soon after Nathan. Nathan was with Fulkerson in the memorable retreat from Laurel Hill - also with him under Gen. Jackson, at Bath and Romey, where he caught cold and was confined by affliction in the hospital during which time he was visited by his father, who brought him home. When his father started to obtain leave of absence, Nathan said "do not get a discharge only get a sick furlough, the country needs my services, and I wish to return so soon as able." During his stay at home, he was married, March 20, 1862 to Miss Elizabeth E. Fugate, who now mourns his loss. Soon after this union was formed, he returned to his company, and was with Jackson in all the battles in the Valley, except Kearntown, and demeaned [sic] himself as a patriot and soldier, as an extract from a letter to his wife, by his Colonel (Williams) fully testifies: "It has been my pleasure to lead Nathan in several engagements, and I have no hesitancy in saying that I never have seen a more gallant and punctual soldier. His aimiability attracted the love of all who knew him, and his brave conduct whilst engaging the enemy, excited the admiration of all his commanders. His loss is deeply lamented by his commanders and companions."
The deceased was born Sept. 9th, 1840, and at the time of his death belonged to Company "C", 37th Regiment Va. Volunteers. Nathan W. Easterly was a young man of fine intellect, and fair education, noble, generous and brave. But he is gone, having died at his post, among the bravest of the brave, as a noble patriot, fighting the enemies of his country.
JAS. T. SMITH.
N. B. Greenville Banner please copy.