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[71] one whose life had enjoyed almost too much repose, and whose mind almost too much leisure; and whose bonds were the set habits of unmarried life and the warm endearments of parental and sisterly love. From these he must break away; but beyond this effort, all was new life and joy and strength; the career at last open for strong manhood never yet adequately developed; the final outpouring of faculties reserved for this. Whatever might be the sacrifice to others involved in his departure from home and in his death on the battle-field, it is certain that to no one chronicled in this book did the war bring a nobler opening of a new career. His previous habits had given him self-control, uprightness, generous feelings, cultivated tastes, and the warmest affections. War called for all these and more: he gave all it asked for, and died in the giving.

The following testimony may well close the tale.

Headquarters, defences of New Orleans, New Orleans, June 3, 1863.

Sir,— It is with unfeigned grief that I approach the sanctuary of your household to condole with you upon the occasion of the death of your brave and noble son.

But I have thought it my duty, not only as commander of the division to which he belonged, but as his personal friend, to say to you, that his blood relations cannot regret his loss more than do his comrades in arms.

At the time of his death his regiment had passed temporarily from under my command, and I therefore leave the particulars of it to those who were present on the field at the time.

From the time he took the field in Maryland up to within a day or two of the assault on Port Hudson, where I was not present, through our dreary camp in the marshes near New Orleans, and through our brilliant campaign on the Teche, he commanded his regiment with signal success, and endeared himself to every one, not only by his high military qualities, but by his strict morality and his high nobility and honor. His regiment—Thirty-eighth Massachusetts—was one of the best in the service, and, with him at the head of it, marched with the steadiness of regulars to the attack and capture of Fort Bisland. I wish I could express to you the deep sorrow I feel at his loss.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

W. H. Emory, Major-General.

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