William W. VOSE

VOSE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/4/2009 at 09:39:22

The Ringgold Record, 1891

CALLED FROM EARTH.

It falls to the common lot of man to die. Death comes both ot the high and to the low. But no matter when or how it comes there is always left a tinge of sorrow and sadness in the hearts of the living. All our citizens were filled with sadness Saturday morning when they heard of the sad death of W. W. VOSE, although he was known to but few. No one who is acquainted with the incidents and circumstances connected with his death can hardly restrain a silent tear. He was a comparative stranger in our midst and but little is known of his past history, save that he was a member of a Vermount (sic) regiment and carried arms in defense of his county. He died among strangers, away from home and friends, and without a brother, a sister or a mother near him to shed a tear or make smooth death's pillow. Such sad realities should fill every heart with sadness, and we should pause at his funeral bier and shed a tear and leave a flower as a last tribute to a brave defender of our nation's flag. The funeral was conducted from the U. P. church on Sabbath afternoon and a number of the boys who fought their country's battles were present to pay their last respect to their fallen comrade. Rev. Dr. WALLACE read the 20th Psalm as the scripture lesson.

Being unacquainted with the deceased, he could pronounce no eulogy on the departed one, and he addressed himself to the living. He impressed them with the shortness of life and the certainty of death. The years will steal swiftly away, the months will run their rapid course, as one by one the threads of life are cut, and we too, are called upon to answer death's summons. We ever stand in the presence of death and on the verge of the grave. The body may be laid away in the cold damp earth but the spirit lives. Death does not end all. We live beyond the grave. After these and similar remarkes, he then made a very touching appeal to his old soldier comrades. He reminded them that they were growing old and would soon have to meet death. Time is leaving his impress upon their forms. When they enlisted in the service of their country their steps were firm and the frosts of time had not yeat whitened their heads but this change is rapidly taking place. Each time one of the old rolls are called, their are fewer to answer present. He closed his remarks by impressing the thought upon his comrades that those who were faithful to their country, and who fough onmany a battle field and suffered that their nation might live, should not depend on such noble deeds as a pass port to that haven above. We must be born again. The Doctor's remarks were very fitting and timely throughout and appropriate to the occasion. The body was laid to rest in the South [Rose Hill] cemetery [at Mount Ayr], there to await the resurrection.

NOTE: William W. VOSE served as a Private with Company I of the 4th Vermont Infantry.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008