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 6^ 
 
 MEMORIAL 
 
 EDWARD S. COLWELL, 
 
 /A/?'^' 
 
IIeadquakteks, IIaskin's Division, 22d Aumy Corps, 
 
 Detautment of Wasiiinotom, March 8, 1S64. 
 
 Orders : 
 
 With feelings of the deepest sorrow, the Commanding Officer of 
 this Division announces the decease of Lieutenant Edward S. 
 CoLWELL, Acting Inspector of Artillery, at three o'clock this after- 
 noon. 
 
 The gentlemanly deportment of the deceased had endeared him 
 to all who knew him. His industry and judgment, as manifested 
 in all the positions he was called upon to fill, give the most con- 
 vincing evidences of his value as an officer, and his Avorth as a man. 
 A modest, unobtrusive gentleman, he illustrated, young as he was, 
 in the highest degree, all the noble characteristics of the true 
 Christian. His loss to the service will be truly felt, and his un- 
 timely death will be deeply mourned. 
 
 The officers at these headquarters will wear the appropriate 
 badge of mourning for thirty days, in respect to his memory'. 
 
 By order of Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. IIaskin. 
 
 11. Chandler, 
 
 A. A. G. 
 
 Official : 
 
IIeadquauters First Bkigade, IIaskin's Division, 
 
 22d Armv Corps, Fort Bunker Hill, D. C, March 9, 1864. 
 Orders : 
 
 It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of a comrade 
 and fellow-soldier, First Lieutenant Edward S. Colwell. He died 
 at three o'clock last evening, from injuries received b}' a fall from 
 his horse, in Washington, the day previous. 
 
 Lieutenant Colwell entered the service as Second Lieutenant of 
 Captain Paul T. Jones's Independent Battery, at Fort Delaware, in 
 December, 1861; he joined this regiment by the transfer of that 
 battery in November, 1862; was soon after made First Lieutenant, 
 and early last summer was appointed to the Staff of the Divi- 
 sion Commander. 
 
 His military career was distinguished for the uniform blending 
 of courtesy with devotion, cheerful promptitude with earnest in- 
 dustry, quick perception with sound judgment. 
 
 To those who knew him, his best eulogy is the impression which 
 he has left upon their hearts; to those who do not, it is not in 
 words to conve}' the beauty and worth of his character, and the 
 bright promise of his usefulness so suddenly closed. 
 
 By this melancholy event his friends and the regiment sustain a 
 loss that is measured only b}^ the sorrow which it creates. Honor 
 the memory of the Christian soldier, faithful to his country and 
 his God. 
 
 II. All duty, not necessary to discipline, is suspended in the 
 Brigade for the day, and the flags will be at half-mast until sunset. 
 
 III. The officers of the Second Pennsylvania Artillery are re- 
 s^iectfully invited to meet at regimental headquarters, at 10 ^ o'clock 
 this morning, for measures of resj^ect to the deceased. 
 
 By command of Col. A. A. Gibson, U. S. A. 
 
 (Signed) Benj. F. Winger, 
 
 Lieut. A. A. A. Genl. 
 
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Edward S. Colwell was born in Philadelphia, on the 12th of 
 April, 1841. His early j^ears w^ere marked by that mildness of 
 temper and gentle firmness Avhich were shown in all his after-life. 
 The expression of these virtues was so visible in his face as to give 
 increased attraction to a countenance otherwise remarkably win- 
 ning. He was noticed from his earliest school-days for his diligence 
 and exact attention to duty, and for unusual self-reliance and 
 perseverance. He seldom asked assistance in the performance of 
 his tasks, seeming to feel that what he had to do must be done by 
 himself. 
 
 He entered the Classical Institute of the Rev. Dr. Coleman, in 
 1852, and pursued for six years the studies, usual at his age, and 
 preparatory to entering College in an advanced class. 
 
 His inclination then led him to prefer a course of studies adapted 
 specially to the pursuits of business. In 1858, he entered the 
 Polj'tcchnic College of Philadelphia, with the view of devoting 
 himself to mathematics, chemistr}', and drawing as applied to the 
 arts, and to studies pertaining to mechanics, to skill in civil engin- 
 eering and mining. During the pei-iod of his continuance in these, 
 his application was of the most incessant and unwearying charac- 
 ter. His diary, only seen since his decease, aifords proof that for 
 weeks in succession, the greater part of his nights was spent in 
 his preparations. His disposition thoroughly to master all he 
 
uiulertook inatlc liim extremely i^ainstaking. It is well known 
 that owing to his diffidence, he never did justice to his attain- 
 nieiits in reciting that which he was so nnwearicd in acquiring. 
 
 In 18G0. he left the Polytechnic School, favorably impressed 
 with the utility of its course of instruction, and the thoroughness 
 of the attainments made by its students. He completed his course 
 of studies in that Institution, and received its diploma. 
 
 From his seventeenth year his mind had been seriously affected 
 on the subject of religion; these impressions increased in depth and 
 earnestness, until in his twentieth year they resulted in his making 
 a public profession of his faith in Christ, in the Central Presbyterian 
 Church of Philadelphia, of which the Pev. Ilenr}^ S. Clarke, D.D., 
 recently deceased, was then pastor, and who was much gratitied 
 by the evidence of piety which his conversation evinced, and by 
 his full preparation for this important step. The entries in his 
 diar}', during the remainder of liis life, happily furnish al)undant 
 proof that he neither forsook nor forgot that profession, but con- 
 stantly and prayerfully struggled to maintain the Malk and con- 
 versation of a Christian man. He often laments his deficiencies, 
 examines himself with severe scrutiny, renews good resolutions, and 
 asks for heavenly aid to keep them. The prevalent and strongest 
 desire of his life was to be useful, — more and more uscfiU. His 
 consistent and firm Christian conduct made a distinct inijiression 
 upon all who were familiar with and around him. 
 
 In June. 1800, he went to Plymouth Iron Works in Consho- 
 hocken, to acquire a knowledge of the business in the various 
 bi-anches there carried on, and soon evinced a capacity to compre- 
 hend all the })rocesses of manufacture, which drew from the con- 
 ductor the most unqualitied testimony in his favor. His industry 
 and attention to every duty with which lie was intrusted gave the 
 most entire satisfaction. In less than a year he so fully qualified 
 
himself to conduct a furniice, that the next year aftei* he entered 
 the army, one who well knew his fitness asked him to take 
 charge of a blast furnace on the Schiiylkill. with tempting prospec- 
 tive advantages. He declined, on the ground that if it was right 
 to enter the army at the beginning, it was right to remain in it 
 until the end of the contest. 
 
 At the close of the yQixv LSOl, he was oftered by a friend the 
 commission of Lieutenant in a company of heavy artillery then 
 forming, which, without looking for a higher i-ank. l»elieving it to 
 be the duty of young men when called lapon, to render inilitary 
 service in the great emergeiuy of the country, after obtaining the 
 full consent of his parents, he accepted. This com])any was after- 
 wards attached to the Secontf Artillery Regiment of Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers, under Colonel A. A. Gibson, in command at Fort 
 Delaw^are. This post was then as it still is a receptacle of rebel 
 prisoners. The position of otficers having such duties to perform 
 is trying and irksome, and during much of the time whilst he Avas 
 there, it was, owing to the great disproportion between the size 
 of the garrison and the numbers of the prisoners, not a little dan- 
 gerous, requiring on the part of Colonel Gibson and all his officers, 
 great vigilance and the utmost military precaution. How Lieu- 
 tenant Colwell performed his duties will be seen in the accom- 
 panying letter of Colonel Gibson. The position was for him one 
 of severe self-denial by the deprivation of many ^^rivileges, literar}-, 
 social, and religious, to which he had been accustomed, besides 
 being his first j)rolonged absence from home. However much this 
 was felt, it was not known to detract in any way from his faithful 
 observance of every duty. He devoted himself earnestly to the 
 acquirement of a full knoMdedge of all the military details pertain- 
 ing to his position, and to preparing himself for any and every 
 duty with which he might be charged. Colonel Gibson, finding 
 
that many of the 3'oung officers of his garrison were willing to 
 learn, devoted such portions of time as could be spared for the pur- 
 pose, to regular military instruction. Of this teaching by an 
 accomplished officer of the regular army educated at West Point, 
 these youthful soldiers availed themselves to their great advantage. 
 
 The society on the island out of the fort consisted of but a few 
 families. Lieutenant Colwell found among these some friends who 
 will lament his untimely departure as deepl}' as any of the many 
 he found in his absence from home. lie united Avith these and 
 others in every attempt made whilst he was at Fort Delaware to 
 secure the establishment of regular religious services at the fort, 
 as, during his stay there, the post was without a chaplain. 
 
 In November, 18()2, his regiment was transferred to Fort Lin- 
 coln, one of the many defences erected for the protection of Wash- 
 ington. This fort is on a beautiful eminence near the railway to 
 Baltimore, and was felt to be a pleasant and healthful change 
 from the damp soil on Avhich Fort Delaware stands. But to one 
 who went into the arm}' to be actively useful, garrison life in any 
 fort, seems a waste of time and energy. Lieutenant Colwell was 
 not however long suffered to remain in performance of mere gar- 
 rison duty. Ilaskin's division of the Twenty-second Army Corps, 
 to whicli liis regiment now belonged, consisted of about ten thou- 
 sand men. In such an army the enforcement of discipline and 
 the punishment of offences against it became a part of the daily 
 routine. Courts-martial were in constant session in Washington. 
 He was detached for duty as Judge Advocate in one of these 
 courts, and, for about four nionths of 18G3, was constantl}^ engaged 
 in this service, riding in and out from Fort Lincoln, about four 
 iiiik's to Washington, daily. This wus an arduous and responsible 
 duty, involving much thought and attention, and avast amount of 
 writing. Jlis long continuance in this position attests his per- 
 
formaiice of its duties to have been satisfactory. It is known that 
 ho was weary of this incessant application to a service not spe- 
 cially acceptable, but it is not known that he sliglited or neglected 
 it on any occasion. The Commander of the division, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Haskin, of the J^egular Arni}^, in July, 18G3, applied for 
 him as Acting Inspector of Artillery for the forts and batteries, 
 north of the Potomac. Of these, there are nearly thirty within a 
 range of three or four miles from Washington. It became his duty 
 to visit these defences as often as once a montli, unless other duties 
 interfered, to inspect the drill and appearance of the artillerists, 
 and note the condition of every gun, as well as that of the am- 
 munition, shells, balls, and all missiles belonging to the ordnance 
 at each post, and to make report of his inspection, exhibiting every 
 important deficiency, irregularity, and failure of duty. Also to be 
 present at all experimental firing, and make a note of the results 
 with a diagrain of the course or effect of each ball or shell after it 
 struck the target or the embankment. 
 
 He continued in this service for eight months until the unhappy 
 event which tei-rainated his life. On the 7th Mai'ch, 18(J4, in 
 mounting his horse, the animal threw himself entirely over back- 
 ward so quickly as to cast him violently to the ground, the back 
 of his head striking first. The blow produced concussion of the 
 brain, and his consciousness never fully returned. He lived about 
 twenty-two houi's, and expired in the presence of his parents, who 
 arrived at his bedside three hours previous to his departure. 
 
 In addition to the general order which precedes this notice, the 
 Commander of the division thus speaks of the deceased in a private 
 letter: 
 
" IlEADljUARTEnS, IIaSKIN's DIVISION, 
 TWENTV-SECOND AhMY CoRI'S, DEPARTMENT OF 
 
 WAsniNGTON, March 17th, 1864. 
 
 '• Shortly after lie joined this command, my 
 
 attention was called to him by his manly and prompt execution 
 of his duties, both with his eompan}^ and on courts-martial. . . 
 . . . I applied for him as Artillery Inspector of this command, 
 in which capacity he had been with me since the 13th of July last. 
 Nearly the whole time ho has boarded in the same house with my 
 famil}' and myself. I have had a good opportunity to know him 
 well, and I can justly say, I never served with a more upright, 
 honorable, and attentive officer. His moral character was unim- 
 peachable. I believe he was a sincere Christian, and for so young 
 a man 1 never saw one so modest and retiring, who made so many 
 sincere friends as he did Avhile with mo. 
 
 " From his office as Inspector, which required him to report all 
 irregularities, it was but natural that some should speak dis- 
 paragingly of him. I never heard a word against him, on the 
 contrary many officers of this command have voluntarily spoken 
 to mo in }>raise of him both as an officer and a gentleman. 
 
 " Although the streets were very muddy when the body was 
 taken to tlio depot, an unusually large attendance of officers were 
 ])i\'sent, and walked (three miles) to the depot as mourners. As 
 foi' my own family, my wife and daughters had the higliest respect, 
 esteem, and friendship for him, and have deeply mourned his 
 death. The officers of my office mourn the loss of an agreeable, 
 accomplished, and highly esteemed com])anion. As for myself, I 
 nevei- had the death oi' a iriend affect me more dee])ly, and his 
 memoi'v will he ehei'islied as much as that of al>rother. 
 
 '■ J. A. IIaskin." 
 
It is only just to mention before closing this sketcb, that the 
 deceased was remarked for other qualities than those already 
 noted. 
 
 He was economical, regular, systematic, and careful. Ilis papers 
 exhibit a full account of his expenses since he was sixteen years 
 of age, since which time he kept a diar}^, in which the entries 
 almost dail}' note not only what concerned himself and his feelings, 
 but public events, such as the progress of the city in its growth and 
 improvements. His letters, during his connection with the army, 
 and occasional absences before he entered it, amount to nearly three 
 hundred, addressed chiefly to his mother. The letters addressed 
 to him were carefully wrapped np and indorsed, as indeed all his 
 other papers. If he had foreknown the hour of his departure, he 
 could scarcely have left his papers in better condition. His pay was 
 only that of a Lieutenant, with some allowance for his advanced 
 position, 3'et he saved a considerable proportion, and had a deposit 
 account with a banker in Washington. 
 
 In his absences from his post on furlough, Avhich were few and 
 short, he carefull}^ arranged all his affairs, all his property, and 
 effects, as if for final absence. Among these were the carefully 
 preserved gifts from his boyhood. He has thus left behind him 
 memorials of his childhood, youth, and manhood, so numerous and 
 touching in their character and careful preservation, as to make 
 his care in this respect very rare. 
 
 His whole demeanor in life was so quiet, unobtrusive and iin- 
 demoiistrative, that he could only be well known to those whose 
 opportunities brought them in contact with him in the perform- 
 ance of his daily duties. 
 
 His religion was not manifested in acts which could be observed 
 and noted, but was inwrought and compact with his quiet life, 
 which was so consistent with true godliness, purity, and devotion 
 
to the Sivviour, as to be observed by all Avho saw much of him. 
 His diary, however, contains frequent mention of his religious 
 experience, his struggles, his self-distrust, Avhich was a pi-evailing 
 sentiment with him, and affords abundant evidence that the sub- 
 ject of his peace with God was ever present with him. The reli- 
 gious books he read are so marked as to show conelusivel}^ the 
 nature of his feelings and the prevailing bent of his mind. Taking 
 the whole together, they leave not a doul)t as to his being a true 
 child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, whose follower he was, 
 with few infirmities in thought, in word, or in deed. 
 
Fort Bunker Hill, D. C, March 17, 1804. 
 
 Stephen Colweel, Esq., 
 
 1031 Arch Street, Philadelphia. 
 
 jVIy dear Sir: You ask of me recollections of your sou. It 
 is seldom that a request admits of such pleasure in the execution, 
 and still more seldom that the subject itself inspires eulogy in pro- 
 portion to its consonance with truth. 
 
 My acquaintance with Lieutenant Colwell began at Fort Dcla- 
 w^are, when he reported for duty in Cai^tain Jones's Battery. I 
 remember well my first impressions of him, formed from his quiet 
 demeanor and silent reserve, on account of which there was no 
 clue for any opinion as to his real merits and worth. He was 
 passive, unobtrusive, and of polished modesty. The next thing 
 that I noticed was his steady industry, as shown in the tiresome, 
 and, to the novice, the perj)lexing task of "making out muster 
 rolls," wherein his patience was a constant coefficient of his labor. 
 He was as serene as a Stoic, and imperturbable as an automaton. 
 Soon after, the officers recited to me in tactics. I was struck by his 
 ready answers, and clear comprehension of them. At posts of 
 duty he turned up promjitl}" to the calls, and with the ubiquity of 
 an apparition. With an insufficient command, the prisoners, now 
 beginning to be numerically imposing, tasked the resources of us 
 all, and burdened us with constant apprehension. It was soon in 
 
current repute that Lieutenant Colwell was the most efficient 
 officer of the guard at the jiost, the meaning of which those only 
 can understand who were there at the time. His vigilance, firm- 
 ness, tact and intelligence, necessary to this duty, would have dis- 
 tinguished an officer of thorough training. In addition to his 
 routine duties he w^as called upon to take charge of the review of 
 the prisoner's correspondence, and to submit what might be objec- 
 tionable to transmission. This alone was a large work, to which 
 he devoted the spare moments day and night while on guard, as 
 well as at other hours; but nothing escaped his eye, and the sound- 
 ness of his judgment and thorough perception, assured my confi- 
 dence in every paper that bore his signature of revision. Once 
 or twice he w^as appointed Judge Advocate of courts-martial, in 
 which I assisted him, and in which he became an adept as by 
 intuition, and after he left Fort Delaware, he established a reputa- 
 tion in my brigade, and in Washington, for acuteness and intelli- 
 gence in this branch of duty. Doing whatever he did from princi- 
 ple, well-regulated habits of thought and industry, directing a 
 mind gifted with faculties so compensated and counterpoised that 
 accuracy was always the result, it is not strange that, young as he 
 was, and unused to a profession in which science expends itself to 
 attain perfection, he should rapidly become efficient in his grade, and 
 be appreciated accordingly. As he was at Fort Delaware, so was he 
 liere, but with this ditterence, that he so improved his advantages 
 and enriched his experience, as greatly to enlarge his usefulness and 
 increase tlie weight of liis influence. He became daily more and 
 more necessary to the service, and few men under corres])onding 
 circumstances had fairer jn'omises of advancement. 
 
 How often have I heard others say in reference to him, what 1 
 said ni^-self, "I never was juore mistaken in a man in my life." 
 Like a book, he was not to be judged by external appearance. The 
 
conclusion which I formed of him, in due time was precisely what 
 every one else formed of him when they knew him. His conduct 
 was always so well regulated, his conscientiousness was so apparent, 
 his prudence so uniform, his firmness so constant, his deportment 
 so proper, his self-control so complete, that he held but one place 
 in individual estimation. Ilis strength of character was revealed 
 in gentleness, which in others is often revealed by the luarsh attri- 
 butes of defiant will. He was naturally wluit man may become 
 by cultivation and the subduing influences of time. He Avon the 
 hearts of all in proportion to intimacy of association. 
 
 It comes to my recollection that when I gave the reluctant assent 
 to his assignment to duty on the staff of the Division Commander, 
 I told him I did so xipon the understanding that it was not to 
 be a first step out of the regiment. Alas, for us all, how has it 
 proved ? 
 
 The emotion, to Avhich I was witness, of Colonel Haskin, and 
 his allusion to the distressing event, outspoken from high apprecia- 
 tion and personal attachment, are the truest and best comment 
 upon your son as an ofiicer and companion. 
 
 All that I have said, or can sa}*, flows into this summing up of 
 his life, — he did his duty. 
 
 I love most to go back and linger upon those first days when we 
 lived in rooms adjoining, with the door opening into both, making 
 our quarters almost common, and thereby our life, wherein the 
 leading feature was sociability, relieved of the checks of military 
 restraint, with all the charms of harmonious mutual trust. That 
 trust I know was still mutual when, for the last time, I shook 
 hands with him, a day or two before his death. And can it be that 
 he is gone I 
 
 May the assurance of Him who gave to you j^our son, that 
 he is not dead, but sleepeth until the reveille, when we shall all 
 
rise and fall in together, some in the front rank and some in the 
 rear rank, and hear the loved answer to their names, assuage 
 3'our grief and cheer the hope of meeting him, which brightens 
 as the break of day ai^proaches. What I say to you I say to Jtis 
 mother. 
 
 I am, ray dear sir, 
 
 With very great regard, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 A. A. Gibson, 
 
 Col. 2d Art. P. V. 
 
Fro7n the inoceedlngs of a meeting of the officers of the Second Penn- 
 sylvania Artillery, assembled at Regimental Headcpiarters, Fort 
 Bunker Hill, D. C, March 0, 1864, in j^ursuance of Col. Gibson's 
 orders of that date. 
 
 On motion, the Eev. Thomas P. Hunt (Chaphiin) took the chair, 
 and Lieutenant Thomas II. Mumford was appointed Secretary. On 
 motion, Major Thomas AVilhelm, Captain Edward Rowand, and 
 Lieutenant J. Norris were appointed a committee to ])repare reso- 
 hitions expressive of the regret felt in the loss sustained by the 
 death of Lieutenant Edward S. Colwell, a brother officer; which 
 w^ere presented and adopted unanimously, as follows : 
 
 JResolvedj The remark, that " Heaven loves to gather to itself the 
 lovely," is seldom more forcibly brought to mind than in the sudden 
 and unexpected removal of Lieutenant Edward S. Colwell from 
 friends mortal, to join friends immortal in the light and love of 
 eternity. If, in the light of Him who searches the heart, Lieu- 
 tenant Colwell ever lacked one thing, that thing was supplied by 
 Him who giveth liberally to the needy. In the eyes of men he 
 presented a character in which there was nothing wanting. In 
 him was daily seen progression from strength to strength and a 
 cultivation and exhibition of love to truth for truth's sake, and 
 devotion to every duty from a love of duty, and a regard to the 
 rights of all from a love of right; so that he jo^'fully, faithfully, 
 wisely, winningl}- rendered to Ca?sar the things that were Ca'sar's, 
 and to Clod the things that were God's. 
 
 Resolved, That on hearing of the death of our deceased friend 
 
and comrade, and since that time, we can and do truly express our 
 feelings in the words of Montgonierj' : 
 
 " Our hearts grew cokl, they felt not then, 
 When shall they cease to feel again ?'' 
 
 Our consolation must be found in resignation to God, and our profit 
 in emulatinii: and in remembering the virtue of our friend. 
 
 Besohrd, That our sympathies be extended to the parents and 
 family of the deceased, with the assurance that while we mourn 
 with them their loss, we also rejoice with them in the privilege of 
 mourning over one worthy of those tears and sighs that know no 
 regret nor shame. 
 
 Resolved, That we wear the usual badge of mourning thirty da3's. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished to the 
 family of the deceased, and that these proceedings bo published in 
 the "Philadelphia Inquirer" and "National Intelligencer." 
 
 Thomas P. Hunt, 
 
 Chaplain 2(1 Artillery, P. V., Presiding. 
 
 Thomas II. Mumfoud, 
 
 Second Lieutenant 2d Artillery, P. V., Secretary. 
 
Headquarters Battery D, 2d Artillery, P. V., 
 
 1st Brigade, IIaskin's Division, 22d Army Corps, 
 
 Fort Bunker Hill, D. C, March 10, 1SG4. 
 
 Mr. Wm. S. p., 
 
 Superintendent Male Sabbath School, Central Presbyterian Church, Phila. 
 
 Dear Sir: A few days since our beloved friend and fellow 
 teacher, Edward S. Colwell, met with an accident, which has 
 terminated his usefulness here on earth, as a living example of all 
 that was lovely, pure, and hoi}'. 
 
 In the death of Lieutenant Colwell we all mourn the loss of a 
 most excellent officer. As a gentleman and Christian, exemplary 
 in the highest degree, his worth was soon discovered, and he 
 was placed in a high and responsible position, where the loveliness 
 of his character shone far and wide, and " none spoke of him but 
 to praise," and felt proud that they could say they knew Lieuten- 
 ant Colwell. Our appreciation of him as an officer and gentle- 
 man, is better expressed in the order from division headqutirters, 
 and in the resolutions adopted by the officers of this regiment, 
 both of which you will see in the " Inquirer." 
 
 But you and our fellow teachers are called upon to mourn his loss 
 in another character, that of a faithful, zealous, Sabbath-school 
 teacher, in Avhich we were looking forward to the time Avhen this 
 war should be over, and " the sword shall be beaten into the 
 ploughshare, and the spear into the pruning-hook," and he in the 
 midst of one of those forms, doing good as he had opportunity. 
 But it has pleased God to take him into His heavenly kingdom, 
 and thus disappoint our hopes of his future usefulness. We must 
 
bow in humble submission to His will, believing that '-He dooth all 
 things well," and thank Him that we had the love and companion- 
 ship of our young friend so long, and that in his life and example 
 he has plainly said, " Be ye also followers of Christ." 
 
 He and I entered the army about the same time. We have most 
 of the time been in the same command, and I have had opportunity 
 to see that of which I write. 
 
 We paid our last respect to his memory by following in proces- 
 sion his remains from Seminary Hospital, Georgetown, to the rail- 
 road depot, thus officially showing our appreciation for him. 
 
 Desiring to mingle my sorrow with yours and our fellow teachers, 
 I shall, on Sunday morning, at the hour of your meeting, ask Clod 
 to sanctify this affliction unto us, for the good of our souls. 
 
 Requesting an interest in your prayers, I remain 
 Sincerel}^ j^ours, 
 
 Nicholas Baggs, 
 
 Captain 2J Artillery P. V., Commanding Battery D. 
 
ADDRESS AT THE EUNEEAL, 
 
 ON MARCH 12, 1864, 
 
 BY THE EEV. H. A. BOAEDMAX, D.D. 
 
 THE REMAINS WERE INTERRED AT LAUREL HILL. 
 
 A SCENE like this suggests two very different trains of thought, 
 accoi'ding as it is contemplated from one or another point of view. 
 In one of its aspects, it points directly to the revolting character of 
 the war in which we are engaged. There, in the fulness of his 
 manly strength and beauty, shrouded for the sepulchre, lies Edward 
 CoLWELL. And all over the land, in every city, and village, and 
 hamlet, the spectacle we witness is repeated; " the beauty of Israel 
 is slain upon our high places," and groups of mourners are follow- 
 ing them to the tomb. The flower of our youth are falling by tens 
 of thousands, and we may read in the costly sacrifices it is exact- 
 ing, the essential w^ickedness, the monstrous criminality, of that 
 rebellion which is seeking the overthrow of our wise and beneficent 
 Government. 
 
 But you will not care to follow this train of reflection. Let me 
 turn to one more befitting the sad occasion which has called us 
 together. 
 
 Having known Edward Colwell from his cliildhood, I may be 
 permitted to say, that he was worthy of all the respect which can 
 
be paid to his memory. Eeared within the shelter of a refined 
 Christian home, he was, in a remarkable degree, free from the 
 infirmities and faults which are common among boys. Intelligent, 
 modest, affectionate, gentle, he was also conscientious, firm of pur- 
 pose, and resolute in maintaining his convictions. As a son and 
 brother, he filled his allotted sphere in a manner which left little 
 or nothing to be desired; the ties which bound him to this house- 
 hold circle gained ncAv strength and tenderness every day. It was 
 a fine stock upon which to graft religion. And when the dew of 
 Divine grace came down upon him, and his well-balanced character 
 was transfused with the influence of true religion, it seemed to 
 supply all that was wanting to fit him for any service which might 
 await him. 
 
 Little could he have anticipated what that service was to bo. 
 He had no predilection for a military life; on the contrary, he had 
 a positive distaste for it. But the basis of his character was 
 Christian principle. It was not impulse, not passion, not ambition, 
 to which he gave his ear, but duty. "What is the voice of duty? 
 What will God have me to do ?" This had come to be the controlling 
 element of his life, and this it was which took him into the army. 
 When the summons came, he tore himself from the home where 
 he had l)een so fondly cherished, and laid himself upon his country's 
 altar, to live or to die in her defence, as his Heavenly Father might 
 appoint. 
 
 This transition is more than most men can bear. The camp and 
 the garrison have proved a "burning, fiery furnace" to Christian 
 character. You will liave known instances in Avhich jn-ofessedly 
 religious men have come out of this furnace sadh' dwarfed and en- 
 feebled in their piety, if not fatally demoralized. But here is a 
 young man who wallced up and down amidst the flames, without 
 having even the smell of fire to pass uj)()n him. It is the signal 
 
honor of Edward Colwell tluit lie never compromised Lis Cliris- 
 tianity. In daily contact with seductions which were fatal to the 
 virtue of too many othei'S, he preserved his purity and rectitude 
 inviolate. lie made no parade of his religion, hut it so pervaded 
 his life that the gayest of his comrades paid willing homage to it. 
 "He would sometimes look at us," said one of them, "in a way 
 which we felt more keenly than we should a sharp reprimand from 
 any one else." Young as he was, the soundness of his judgment, 
 his prudence, his fidelity to every trust, and his uniform courtesy, 
 commended him to the esteem and confidence of his superior offi- 
 cers; and at each of the points where he was stationed, they 
 assigned him to positions above his 3-ears, and above his rank. His 
 sudden deatli gave form and expression to the high estimation in 
 which he was held. Upwards of eighty of his brother officers, 
 many of them his superiors, assembled spontaneously to escort 
 the remains of the young Lieutenant to the depot; and the com- 
 mander of the post paid him a just and affecting tribute, which 
 met the cordial response of all to whom it was addressed. In his 
 comjDrehensive and beautiful "Order," Col. Haskins says: "The 
 gentlemanly deportment of the deceased had endeared him to all 
 who knew him. His industry and judgment, as manifested in all 
 the positions he was called upon to fill, give the most convincing 
 evidences of his value as an officer, and his worth as a man. A 
 modest, unobtrusive gentleman, he illustrated, young as ho Avas, in 
 the highest degree, all the noble characteristics of the true Cliristiau. 
 His loss to the service will be truly felt, antl his untimely death 
 will be deeply mourned." 
 
 And now, as we are about to commit the remains of this beloved 
 young soldier to the grave, what remains but that we open our 
 hearts to the monitory lessons of this dispensation. We need not 
 assure these stricken parents of our sympathy. Sad enough is the 
 
breach that death has made in their domestic circle, and deep arc 
 the shadows that gather around them to-day. But it is not all 
 dark. The radiance of the " better country" falls upon this scene. 
 God has mingled unspeakable mercy with their trial. If we listen, 
 we can hear the Master's voice saying to them, "Thy son, thy 
 brother, shall rise again !" Yes, my afflicted friends, He who is 
 the Resurrection and the Life, will guard that sleeping dust, and, 
 in the end, he will be restored to you. May His Almighty arm 
 sustain, and His blessed Spirit comfort and sanctify you. 
 
 And those young men, the friends andfelloAv-soldiers of Edward 
 CoLWELL, there is just one lesson here for you. The single thought 
 which soothes these sorrowing parents, the thought which fills your 
 hearts too, is that he was a Christian. When we stand and look 
 upon the dead, every question dwindles into insignificance but this. 
 Be it your care, then, to take his Saviour for your Saviour, and his 
 God for your God. You will all have read the life of that noble and 
 gallant young officer, Hodley Vicars. Ljnng in the trenches before 
 Sebastopol, one night, he discovered a column of the enemy aj)- 
 proaching. As they drew near, he sprang forward, shouting, " Men 
 of the Ninetj'-seventh, follow me !" And leaping from the j)arapet, 
 waving his sword over his head, again he cried, " This way, Ninet}"- 
 seventh!" and instantl}' he fell to rise no more. It Avas his last 
 order: "Follow me!" "This Avay!" And if those sealed lips 
 could speak, you might hear Colwell cry, "Men of the Second, 
 FOLLOW ME !" "This WAY, Second!" Yes, follow /;/;/(. Take the 
 "uv/^" that he and Vicars trod. It is the Avay to the Cross, the 
 way to pardon, and peace and holiness; the wa}' to victory over 
 death and hell; the way to the city which h;ith foundations, and 
 the land whose sun never ij-ocs down! 
 
B I T U A H Y. 
 
 The following is from " The Presbytemui' of the'Ziyth of 21a r eh, 1864. 
 
 Died, in Wiisliington, District of ColuniLia, on the Hth inst., 
 Lieutenant Edward S. Colwell (Second Artillery, Pennsylvania 
 Yolunteers),son of Stephen and Sarah Jl. Colwell, of PhiUulelphia, 
 in his twenty-third year. 
 
 While bowing in meek submission to the will of our heavenly 
 Father, we strive in vain to uncover the mystery of his dealings. 
 His hand of love mingles ingredients of bitterness, which even the 
 # confidence of faith receives with a shudder, and which no consola- 
 tion can wholly extract or cover. The sudden casualty, which has 
 brought to his grave the beloved subject of this notice, is more 
 than usually distressing. In the official order of the Commander 
 of the Division whose Aid ho was, announcing his death to his 
 companions in arms, he is spoken of in the following terms : 
 
 '< The o-entlemanly deportment of the deceased had endeared him 
 to all w^ho knew him. His industry and judgment, as manifested 
 in all the positions he was called upon to fill, gave the most con- 
 vincing evidences of his value as an officer, and his worth as a 
 man. A modest, unobtrusive gentleman, lie illustrated, young as 
 be was, in the highest degree, all the noble characteristics of the 
 true Christian. His loss to the service will bo truly felt, and his 
 untimely death will be deeply mourned." 
 
 Ho possessed a character unusually symmetrical and well- 
 
balanced. Gentle and affectionate, a dutiful son, a loving brothei*, 
 a warm-liearted friend aud genial companion, he was scrupulously 
 attentive from childhood to the demands of every position in which 
 he was 2)laced. Courteous in his attentions to all, he was unob- 
 trusive and rather reserved in the expression of his feelings. Of a 
 firm resolution and elevated purpose, diligent, manly, and upright, 
 and remarkably free from youthful follies ami frivolities, he was 
 never known to disobey authority, to refuse w^ise counsel, or to 
 give a mouient's pain or uneasiness to those who loved him best. 
 He was always remarkably domestic in his habits, the endearments 
 of home having more attractions for him than anything else, though 
 he was not insensible to the claims and attractions of society. And 
 when religious impressions, made upon him in his seventeenth 
 year, had ripened into the joys of a Christian hope, and the devo- 
 tion of a Christian life, he seemed to be all that the fondest parents 
 or his dearest friends could desire. The excitement of military life 
 never changed the simplicity of his feelings, nor his yearning for 
 home. His letters from the army were constant, and of the most 
 affectionate description. He entered the army from a conscien- 
 tious persuasion that it was his duty to decline no sacritices, not 
 even that of life, if the safetj' and welfare of his country required it. 
 The service to which he was assigned. Inspector of Artillery for 
 the defences of Washington, north of the Potomac, and Aid of the 
 Commander of that division, though a responsible one for so young 
 an officer, did not call him into the field, which he often regretted, 
 not from love of adventure, but from the desire to be useful, and 
 to be actively employed. Occasions, however, Avere not wanting 
 to try his courage and resolution, which never failed him in any 
 emergency. Though not impetuous, he was brave, calm and col- 
 lected, and shrank from no peril which the faithful discharge of 
 duty involved. 
 
He Lad entered upon liis third year of militar}' service, and Avas 
 anticipating, with a keen relish, the time when ho could forsake 
 the excitement of arms for the enjoyments of home and the em- 
 ployments of peaceful life. These hopes and prospects were sud- 
 denly darkened. In the effort to mount a horse, occasionally 
 vicious, he was, though a skilfid rider, thrown violently to the 
 ground, and never regained his consciousness. Prompt medical 
 attention was given, and ovovy effort made for his restoration, hut 
 in vain. Ilis parents were summoned, and arrived to see him 
 breathe a few hours, and then pass away to his rest. Once the 
 voice of his mother succeeded in wakening a response. It would 
 have been an unspeakable satisfaction to surviving friends, if Ins 
 consciousness could have been granted him, and he could have 
 repeated, in prospect of death, that he possessed, and was sus- 
 tained by the hope which animated him in life. But the uniform 
 testimony of all around him of the consistency of his Christian 
 walk, his conscientious discharge of ever}' Chi'istian duty, regard- 
 less of adverse influences, and his unflinching adherence to the 
 principles which he espoused, give assurance that the temptations 
 which surround a soldier, instead of lowering the power of godli- 
 ness, served to build up his Christian character, and imparted new 
 firmness and stability. Though death came suddenly and ixn- 
 awares, it found him not unprepared. It was the speedier sum- 
 mons to his victory and reward. 
 
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