Greensborough Patriot

October 23, 1862

Page 2

Lt. Col. Fulton of Stokes

Through the politeness of a friend, we are permitted to lay before our readers the following interesting letter from Brig. Gen. Trimble, to the father of the lamented Lt. Col. Fulton, of this State, who fell recently gallantly bearing the flag of his regiment. Such a tribute from the pen of his commander will be gratifying to his friends:

Front Royal, Va., Oct. 1, 1862

Samuel Fulton, Stokes County, N. C.

Dear Sir: The names of those who nobly die for their country have ever lived in a people’s grateful memory. He who falls in battle, inscribes his name upon the records of his country’s glory in characters which can never perish while freedom lives.

Such a man was Lieut. Fulton, of North Carolina. At an early period he entered the army, and joined the 21^st North Carolina Regiment, in which, by promotion, he had obtained the rank of Lt. Colonel.

His regiment was attached to the brigade commanded by me, and, brought into every action which took place in Northern Virginia, from the battle of Winchester on the 28^th of May, to that of Manassas on the 28^th of August—including all the actions near Richmond—that is to say in all Jackson’s battles. I, therefore, who knew him well, can speak from personal knowledge of his merits.

He mingled in a remarkable degree, kindness and civility with discipline and military duties. He was the favorite of every soldier. His merits were exhibited without pretension; and his courage, the chief element of his character, shown without bravado, and always surpassed the expectations of his friends. In many charges against the enemy, the battle flag was seen in his hands leading the regiment to victory. His death wounds were received while thus bearing the colors in the charge at Manassas, on the 28^th of August. He expired the next day with the same flag waving over him, which he had borne in triumph against the foe.

I have felt constrained my dear sir, to offer this tribute of respect to the virtues and gallantry of your son, who I considered one of the most valuable officers of my brigade, and whose honorable and gentlemanly deportment gained my warmest esteem.

Accept, sir, my sincere and deep sympathy in the distress you and your family must feel for the loss of such a son. May this testimony to his merits and manner of his death, assuage, in some degree, the pangs of those who knew him and loved him well.

His State should be proud of his name, and ever cherish his memory, and her sons should now, and hereafter emulate his virtues and his patriotism.

I write this from a sick bed, where I am suffering from a wound, or I would write more at length.

I am sir, respectfully your obedient servant,

I. R. TRIMBLE

Brig. Gen’l. 7^th brigade

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]