Jamieson, John

DIED--June 27th, 1864, JOHN JAMIESON, Co. B, 98th Reg't Ohio Volunteers.

The noble boy whose name is above announced, and whose mortal remains lie in Northern Georgia, deserves more at our hands than the mere recital of his fall.

He was born in Indiana County, Pa., May 26th, 1842. His family removed to Jefferson County, O., in the Spring of 1860. He connected himself with the U. P. church in Blairsville, Pa., in his 17th year. Rev. Mr. Conner was the pastor. When the voice of his country called her sons to arouse and gird on the sword, he was diligently and successfully prosecuting a regular course of study at New Athens, Ohio, preparatory to the work of the Gospel ministry, to which he seemed to be peculiarly fitted. He regarded the call of the country the call of duty, and laying aside his books, having first obtained the consent of a widowed mother, who looked upon him as the solace and comfort of her declining years, he responded by enlisting in Co. B of the 98th Ohio. That was a sad parting between that fond mother, and her loving boy. But both were sustained by a sense of duty and an unfaltering trust in a covenant God. He became in time a member of the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in all its fatigues, privations, and battles. He was never in the hospital, nor was he ever off duty but of a few days at one time. He bore all the vicissitudes of he camp, and march, and field, with the heroic firmness, and untiring patience, and unmurmuring endurance that so largely characterize our brave men, and that so well became the Christian soldier. He was always at the post of duty and ready for every emergency. He won and retained the love and confidence of both officers and privates--his comrades in arms. "He received his death wound about 10 o'clock in the forenoon of Monday, the 27th, during a charge made by our regiment upon some rebel breastworks and lingered until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when he expired. His death was caused by a musket ball passing directly through the bowels. His remains were decently interred by his comrades in a shady grove, and the grave marked with his name, company, and regiment, so that it could easily be recognized. John was a brave and faithful soldier, and met his death doing his duty. He was beloved by every one, and his death had cast a gloom over all. Although your loss is irreparable, you have the consolation of knowing that he sacrificed his life in the cause of justice and truth. The officers and men of the company tender to you their heartfelt sympathy in your great affliction." Thus wrote his Captain to his mother. He needs no other eulogy than these lines contain.

How sweetly and sacredly came to that stricken mother, in this sad bereavement, in this blasting of her hopes and this withering of her joys, these testimonies of his fellow-soldiers to his faithfulness and merit. But there is a higher, holier consolation far. John was prepared for death. In the last letter he ever wrote to his mother, under date of June 7th, he said, "I pray daily, and if I fall I have hope of meeting father and mother, brothers and sisters, in heaven. His last message, whispered in the ears of attendant sorrowing companions, was; "Tell my mother I tried to do my duty to my country, and that I was prepared to die." And thus, in the assured hope of a glorious immortality, amidst the din of battle, he passed away to meet the loved ones gone before, to join the triumphant host of the redeemed, and to be at peace forever with the Lord. Whilst we deeply sympathize with surviving friends, yet, in viewing all the circumstances of this case we cannot but say, Happy, happy boy!

"Lo, the pain of life is past,
All his warfare now is o'er;
Death and hell behind are cast,
Grief and suffering are no more.
Yes, the Christian course is run,
Ended is the glorious strife:--
Death is swallowed up of life!" ---D. P. L.

Presbyterian Banner, Pittsburgh, PA 24 Aug 1864