Obituary
“Killed in Battle at Sharpsburg on Wednesday last – Capt. James S. Colwell, Co. A, 7th, P. R. C.,” Carlisle (PA) American, September 24, 1862.
Thus has fallen in the cause of his country a brave soldier, a true patriot, and a Christian gentleman. The breaking out of this unhallowed rebellion found him a lawyer in practice at the Carlisle bar, and though retiring and modest in his disposition, his highly cultivated and acute mind, and his marked talents were fully appreciated by his fellow citizens, his rank promised to be among the first jurists of the country. His kind and amiable disposition had endeared him to all who knew him. His high moral character and exemplary life had made him a bright example in our midst. A wife and children clustered around him, and added the charm of domestic life to the advantages of his position. His wife and children were to him as dear as life.
The war broke out, and from a stern sense of duty alone, he sacrificed the comforts of home and his professional hopes to take up arms for his country. There was no ambition in this; he desired no place ; he sought no renown ; he saw, amid the sulphurous clouds of war, no future official honors ; he sought none, but moved by pure patriotism alone ; he became a soldier ; that kind and amiable gentleman soon became the stern soldier o the real war. On many battle-fields he proved his courage and military skill, beloved by his men, where he led they followed, and he was always willing to lead. He has fallen and left a vacancy which it will be hard to fill with his equal. His wife and children mourn not alone, the whole community mingle their tears over his untimely death. He has died the death of the patriot, as he lived the life of the Christian. Let the lofty marble mark his last resting place and thereon inscribe a fitting records of his virtues.
The war broke out, and from a stern sense of duty alone, he sacrificed the comforts of home and his professional hopes to take up arms for his country. There was no ambition in this; he desired no place ; he sought no renown ; he saw, amid the sulphurous clouds of war, no future official honors ; he sought none, but moved by pure patriotism alone ; he became a soldier ; that kind and amiable gentleman soon became the stern soldier o the real war. On many battle-fields he proved his courage and military skill, beloved by his men, where he led they followed, and he was always willing to lead. He has fallen and left a vacancy which it will be hard to fill with his equal. His wife and children mourn not alone, the whole community mingle their tears over his untimely death. He has died the death of the patriot, as he lived the life of the Christian. Let the lofty marble mark his last resting place and thereon inscribe a fitting records of his virtues.
Links
Depicted ContentColwell, James Smith