History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

BRANCH OF HIS SON PETER. 239
and by his upright, honest, and consistent traits of character, com-
bined with true manly virtue and nobility of soul, endeared himself
to all around him and won the love and esteem of all who knew him.
At the call of his country he left home and friends and went forth to
meet a soldier's fate. Though he died not upon the battle field, he
is none the less a martyr to his country's cause. For a few short
weeks he lingered, and then calmly yielded his spirit to the God who
gave it. Kind messmates and friends watched beside his couch,
whose sympathising hearts anticipated his wants."
The following is from the Marion Commonwealth : " It is our
melancholy duty to chronicle the death of our esteemed townsman,
Thomas J. Montague, who died about two weeks ago at Rienzi, Miss.
He left here in December last with the Curry Dragoons, and to all
appearances bid fair to win many laurels on the battlefield and return
to enjoy the liberty his valor helped to win, but before that noble
spirit had an opportunity of meeting the enemy in deadly conflict he
sank down in death. Dying in a hospital instead of on the field of
strife makes him no less the hero or martyr. He was buried in this
place on Saturday last, with military honors, and many a heart
breathed a sigh as the arms sounded to him a last farewell ; many
an
eye was moist at the thought that he, who was so much beloved could
be seen no more. Tom. was a noble boy ;
and
well may all of us
sympathize with his widowed mother, for in him she offered a sacri-
fice well worthy the cause for which he died."
Two of his comrades, John K. White and Amji Godden, wrote to
his mother from Rienzi : " We, his comrades, have lost one of our
favorites, a comrade and brother in arms whom we all loved. We
did all in our power to save him. Rev. Mr. Howell visited him
often. He was cheerful and did not complain; he told Mr. Howell
that he had a hope in Christ and was not afraid to die. He gradu-
ally grew more feeble and died imperceptibly, even as a fire would
cease to burn. All his intimate friends join with us in tendering to
you and family our earnest and heartfelt sympathy."
" Here sleeps the martyr's weary head,
Here moulders holy dust,
With the wild wood moss overspread,
Resting in silent trust.
Rest, weary dust, lie here an hour.
Ere long like blossom from the sod,
Thou shalt come forth a glorious flower
Fit for the eye of God."