[251] to less than one third of its original number. He left the Major calm, quiet, and apparently comfortable, and did not apprehend any early change in his condition. Estes and another private remained in attendance, and the former was absent some fifteen minutes, between one and two o'clock, to take some food. Major Willard had been induced to go to sleep; and he was asleep, lying on his left side, when Estes returned. A motion of the right shoulder was noticed; presently his lips were seen to move; his eyes were open, and cast upward. Estes felt his pulse, and found none; he felt his hands, they were cold. He called the surgeon, who confirmed his fears that all was over. Sidney Willard had entered into his rest.
As he lay in the repose of death in the home of his youth, his expression was natural and life-like, as of one who had returned wearied with conflict, and had sunk into a calm but thoughtful and semi-conscious slumber.
On the 17th of December the mortal remains of Major Willard were brought home, with loving care, to the city he had left but four short months before, in the pride of manly beauty and the fulness of his strength. On Saturday, December 20th, in accordance with his almost last uttered wish, he was laid to rest in Mount Auburn, where a simple cross of granite marks the spot.
