Conf Pam l2mo #521 No. 78. A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LIFE, CHARACTER AND DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN B. ANDREWS. iiy RKv. WALTER w, rnA»«, or N. c. It it believed tliat there are aa many pious officers and soldiere in the Confederate Army, as have ever been drawn together in camp, or on the feld of battle since the days of Cromwell. This is no doubt oti« gr«at Mcrct in that aetonishing courage which they have tihibited, and those glorious victories whick they have achieved. It is aa acknowledged fact tkat the best ofhcers -and the bravest soldiers in the def»»ce •f our rights are those who ar« good soldiera of the cross of Christ. By this dcRDlating and cruel war the church has been robbed of some of her strongeet pillara and brigheet ornaments. Many of our oflicera are tatn of devoted piety, who have, and do exert a salutary, moral and religious influence ovor the men under their commaad. This wa8,inahigh degree, the character of Capt. J. B. Andrews. The faith tkat waa found in euch lively exercise in the life, which shed such a lustre in the character and imparted such triumph to 'the death of this officer, this, like the faith of Timothy, (so kighly commended by an inspired ptn) first dwelt in his mother, and also in his grand-mother. It is an unspeakable blessing to have the resbrainti, the instruction, and the ex- ample of pious parents, in that important period of our his- tory when .oui«- habits *re forming, when our principles are becoming fixed, and our characters are taking their complex- ion for eternity. Capt. Andrews was a native of Rowan County, North Carolina. He graduated with distinction in the University of his native State, May, 1854, just one day after he had reached liis majority. He then engaged lor a time in teaching with Mr. Bingham, in Alamance county. Subse- «]ucntly lie was associated wath another gentleman in the charge of the Classical and Military Academy in Wilmington. In 185G his health and hie desire for mental improvement led him to travel in Europe. Soon after his return from his for- eign tolir, he was elected Professor in the Concord Female College, located in Statesville,.and uneler the care of Con- cord Presbytery. - This position by his promptness, bis energy, his gentlemanly bearing, his active piety — he filled for more than a year, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His kind feelings and amiable disposition commended him to all who knew him. He resigned his place in the College, and at the earnest solicitation of many parents, he opened in the town of Statesville a Classical and Military Academy. This institution was very prosperous under bis judicious manage- ment. His influence oyer his pupils was both great and good.. He governed his Academy with eminent success He reverenced the majesty of heaven — he was a man of prayer — his pupils, both loved and feared him. His place in the house of God at preaching or prayer meeting was never vacant unless from Providential hindr|ince. He was not only present, but was ever ready to assist by leading the devotioasof the congrega- tion. The example which he set before, and the influence which he exerted over the young men where he resided was highly favorable to morality and religion. At the commencement of hostilities in our country, he raised a company of Infantry composed largely of his own pu- pils. He joined the gallant Fourth Kegiment ei North Caro- lina >State Troops — shared in all its hardships, trials and tri- umphs from Carolina to Manassas — from Manassas to York- town, Williamsburg and the Pines, and was never again seen at home until the day of his death. In the series of bloody battles around Richmond, while m the gallant dis- charge of his duty, a ball wounded his hand and lodged in his breast. When ho ha-d so far recovered, that he was about to leave Richmond on furlougti, he was. taken with the fever. Erysipelas ensued, and about 3 o'clock A. M., on the 23d of July, in tj^e 30th yearof^his age, his spirit left its tenement of 3 clay, and returned to ^od who gave it. His remains wer^ brought home and intered in Statcsville, where he will sleep undisturbed by the clash of arms, or the shock of battle until the mornmg of the resurrection. Three davs after- wards his venerable mother— a mother in Israel-^was lai.t by his side. They were lovely and pleasant in their live^. and in their deaths they were not divided. Perhaps noouo in Western North Carolina, for many y«ars, has exerted so fa- vorable an influence upon th« cause of education, religion and patriotism with so little ostentation as Captain Andrews Some twelve or fourteen officers from Statesville and th^^ vicinity are, or have been, in the army instructed by Captain Andrews, or holding their position through his influence. But above all he lived the life of the Christian. And while he was fighting the battles of his country he did not forgeUo. fight the good fight of fajth. He died the Christian's death, and IS doubtlc.^8 now in the enjoyment of tha't rest that re- mains for tlie people of God. When about sixteen years of age he connected himself with the Presbyterian Church in OrreensboroTwhither his father had moved from Eowan. Thus early in life was his heart iflvigorated with those ajniable qualities, which, assisted by an intellect of more than ordi- nary power enabled him to exercise that self control whicJ> so admirably fitted him to govern others, and qualified him lor the highest positions, either in civil or military life A short time before his dissolution he remarked to his phy- sician that he was about to die. The physician replied • ''but you are not afraid to die.'^ His answer was "No ^" "Have you a'ny messatre for your friends and companions at home ?'' Yes r was the reply. -Ttll them that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from aU sm, I believe this ! " As it was elo- quently remarked to the large assembly of bereaved friend« and weeping relatives that stood around his new-made grave he might have told us of his devotion to his country, and re- minded us that he fell in defence of her rights, and thereby evinced his patriotism; but his immortal spirit just before Its departure to the Celestial City, turned with all that inten! sity^ that arises from a well fouuded hope beyond the grave to that most important subject that can possibly engage the 4 hiind oi men. And he has iu a few words, and those amoiig the hist that he uttered, preaclifd the most impressive ser- mop that we have ey»r heard. Let the surviving members of his company, to whose temporal tind sj^iritual welfare he was much devoted — let surviving oHicers and soldiers of the llcgiment to which h« belonged — ^let his former pupils and friends hear him, yea, let all hear him, for being dead hcyot sp«aketh. His dying testimony confirms a great gospel truth, which has conveyed Qomfort to the bosoms of many living oTHcers, and illumined the pathway through tke dark valley and shadow of death of raany departing soldiers. It is wor- thy of all acceptation. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleans- eth froiu all sin I'^ THE BLOOD OF CHRLST. C. M. There is a fountain filPd with blood, , Drawn from ImmanueFs veins,* And sinners plung'd bwieath thatflooil, Lose all their guilty stains. Th» dying thief rejoic'd to see ' That fountain in hi» day ; And there may I, as vile as ho, Wash all my sins away. Dear dyi;^ Lamb, thy precious blood Shall nev«r lose its power, Till all the ran»omM church of God Be saved to sin no more. E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, ^H'?.®48^i° glove has been my theme, Andiiehall be till I die. N Hollinger Corp- pH 8.5