Suffolk Christian Sun

November 11, 1864

Page 2

OBITUARIES

Among the many gallant youths of the “Old Dominion” who have fallen in the cause of Southern Independence, and our civil and religious liberties, and in defence of the soil of their native State, it becomes our sad duty to record the untimely death of private STEPHEN E. PIERCE, of Company “D,” 16^th Reg’t. Va. Vol. Infantry, Mahone’s Brigade, who fell in the hard but gloriously contested, battle of the “Crater” near Petersburg, Va., on the ever memorable 30^th of July, 1864.

Though many noble and chivalrous spirits have offered up their life’s blood in the same hallowed cause, our hearts have seldom been saddened by the fall of a more worthy and promising young man. As a soldier, patriot and Christian, he possessed many noble and redeeming qualities and was respected and admired by all who knew him. A universal favorite and loved by all, his loss is keenly felt by the surviving members of his company, who will ever cherish with a brotherly regard the memory of their lost comrade.

Entering the service of his native State at the early age of 17 years, immediately after the secession of Virginia from the Federal Union, he was stationed with his company at Norfolk, Va., until the evacuation of that city in the early part of May, 1862, when his command was transferred to the Army of Northern Virginia, then in front of Richmond, and up to the time of his death had participated in nearly all the engagements that his brigade had been called to take a part—besides innumerable skirmishes as a sharpshooter. And whether on the ____ the perilous duty of sharpshooting; the wild excitement of the charge in line; or the hand to hand encounter, he ever manifested the same cool and fearless determination so characteristic of the Virginia soldier; and in his last battle he fell amongst the foremost of his no less eager comrades, his face to the foe. He was ever mindful of his duties to God, his fellow man and his country—discharging with scrupulous fidelity his obligations to all.

His eminent character and exalted virtues deserve to be long remembered and cherished, and kind generosity to be respected and imitated. As a son, he was affectionate and dutiful; as a brother, loving and kind; as a friend, sincere and true. May God comfort his bereaved relatives and friends, and give them strength to say, “Thy will be done.”

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]