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

240 DESCENDANTS OF PETER MONTAGUE.
568.
Dr. John F. Montague, son of Thomas [180], b. April 8, 1838,
in Marion, Ala.
He was a surgeon in the confederate army, and died April 28,
1863, at Tullahoma, Tenn. The following notice of his death was
sent to the Marion Commonwealth : " Headquarters, 9th Ala. Bat-
talion, Cummings Brigade, Tallahoma, Tenn., May 2, 1863. Death
has been in our midst and taken from us one of our most worthy
soldiers, one that every man of oar battalion dearly loved, and many
were the tears of bitter grief shed over his grave. Dr. John F. Mon-
tague has passed from our midst. He was taken with congestive
chill and died on the 28th ult. and was buried the next day with mil-
itary honors. Chaplain McVay of the 38th performed the funeral
service. John was the last son of a widowed mother, his other
brother having fallen in this contest for liberty. We mourn his loss
for we loved him much. His form was the perfection of manly
beauty, strength and vigor, combined with grace and dignity. His
high, pale forehead was shaded with locks of a darker hue. A smile
of sweetness and gentleness ever played over his fine features. His
manners were pleasing and polished, his language chaste, pure and
beautiful, and had ambition found a resting place within his breast,
his were talents that would have given him a lofty standing among
the military spirits of the age. But he dedicated his brilliant gifts to
medicine and was in the medical department [with Dr. Kirksey] when
he died. He was kind and courteous to all, and at all hours of the
night and day he was ever ready to give aid and comfort to the sick
soldiers. He loved his aged mother and his sisters, and often spoke
of them and expressed a hope that he might live to go through this
contest and return to them. But such was not the will of Providence.
He was no laggard in this struggle, but freely gave his life as a high
and holy sacrifice upon our country's liberty, and fell at his post,
discharging his whole duty. Though he died away from home, on
the tented field, kind friends administered to his wants, and the best
medical aid was given to him. Lieut A. S. Hinton commanded the
funeral escort, and marked the place of his last rest on earth. We
shed our tears over his new-made grave."
" A sky without a cloud,
A sea without a wave,
These are but shadows of thy rest
In this thy peaceful grave.