Greensborough Patriot
February 12, 1863
Page 1
DEATHS
THE BRIGHTEST STAR FALLS FIRST
With much regret we announce the death of our esteemed
friend, Lieutenant J. C. Stafford, who departed this life in Winston,
North Carolina, January the 21st,
1863, from a wound received in the battle of Fredericksburg. He left his home and kindred forsaking
everything that was dear to him to rush to the defense of his beloved
country. In his death the country loses
a good and brave soldier.
Lieutenant Stafford has left behind him many warm and
devoted friends, who know well how to revere and appreciate his memory. In life we always found him courteous,
honorable and kind; and with friendship’s pure sensibility of feeling for his
loss, our humble pen inscribes to his memory the following lines:
O sweet be thy slumber—the long and the
last,
May glory celestial
encircle thy brow;
The dawn of the future to which thou hast
past,
Beam bright and
resplendently down on the now;
Full many deplore thee and tenderly weep,
While friendship now
lingers and points out the spot.
Around where thy form is now silent in
sleep,
A memory blossoms that ne’r’ll be forgot.
The green turf now hides thee away from the
view
Of those who once knew
thee in life’s brightest day.
May summer’s sweet flowers in beautiful
hue,
Shed fragrance around thy
frail casket’s decay.
In the bloom of thy manhood we laid thee to
rest,
And took the last look at
thy image so dear;
We saw the turf cover thy motionless
breast,
And
turned from thee sadly with many a tear.
MISSES W. L & M. W.
[Transcribed
by Sharon Strout]
