140
WEARING OF THE GRAY.
he came. To these—the wide circle who loved him for his great qualities, and his
kind, good heart—his loss is irreparable, as it is to the whole South. The "breed of noble mind" like his is not numerous, and when such forms disappear the gap is hard to fill—the struggle more arduous than before. But the memory of this great young soldier still remains with us, his name is immortal in history as in many hearts which throbbed at his death!
Poor colourless phrases!—faded flowers I try to strew on the grave of this noble soul! But the loss is too recent, and the wound has not yet healed. The heart still bleeds as the pen traces the dull words on the page.
"Mourn for him! Let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald
Did follow to his urn!"
Strange words!—it may be said—for a boy little more than twenty! Exaggerated estimate of his loss!
No, the words are not strange; the loss is not exaggerated—for the name of this youth was John Pelham