| Obituary, by J. A. Spaulding, Editor
Killed in battle, near Sharpsburg Md., on Wednsday Sept 17 !862, Lucius H. Briggs. Private in Company I, 15th Reg. Mass. Volunteers, aged 18 years, 11 months, 18 days. In the official list of killed during the late battle in Maryland, appears the name above mentioned. We feel it a duty to make more than a passing notice of the death of this young man. The opening of the rebellion eighteen months ago, found Lucius H Briggs an apprentice in this office. From day to day he read the thrilling accounts of rebel insults to the national flag, and from day to day we could see that the burning desire increased within him to aid in some way in crushing the enemies of his country. He frequently expressed his desire to enlist, but we advised him on account of his youthful age to wait untill the demand for men should be greater. Early in May, 1861 an effort was made to raise a company of Webster Volunteers; and, unable to let slip such an opportunity , this young man decided to join any company which might be formed here. A month later found him and some sixty of his comrades banded together as the nucleus of the Company which was afterwards known as the “ Slater Guards “. Through the long summer months the boys drilled and marched, disapointed often about going into camp as a Company, untill finally the full number of one hundred and one men was raised and mustered into Camp Scott, at Worcester, as Company I, of the Fifteenth Regiment._ Here we frequently heard from Lucius. He was full of military ardor, and counted the days untill the order should come to leave for the seat of the war. It came soon enough. On the 8th day of the following August the Regiment took their final departure, bearing with them the condidence and loving remembrance of many friends. Of the experiences of Company I since that time the public are informed. Our young friend shared them all; never off duty, never tardy, always ready for fatigue or fight, and never expecting to leave his company untill peace should be conquered or death should take him away. From time to time we have received letters from our friend. Many of them we have published. Such our readers will remember. They will remember how squarely he stood on all matters of national honor and national pride. They will remember how he admired and extolled the , true soldier patriot. They will remember his feeling announcement of the death of young Bigelow--- how he was “ proud to speak of him as a true soldier and lover of his country.” They will remember his last letter, giving a truthfull description of the retreat from the Peninsula, and stating how much he would rather announce a battle than a retreat.These letters, and many kind wishes and tender allusions which they contained, served to refresh the memory concerning the qualities of our young friend. He was connected with this office for a year and a half, and during all that time he never gave us occasion to speak harshly or reprovingly to him. He studied our pleasure; he was anxious to know his duty, and ever ready to perform it. We parted from him reluctantly, as from a friend, and we have watched his career with more than ordinary interest. We have been gratified to know that he was faithful upon the battlefield and in camp, as he was faithful here; that through hardships and dangers which would have discouraged ordinary persons of his age, his devotion to the cause of country was never less, his ardor never dampened. We are proud to have sent from this office so worthy a representative,--- asWebster may well be proud of him as among the truest of her martyred sons. And we doubt not that, could it be known what were his last emotions as he lay dying upon the bloodstained field, we should have abundant reason to believe that his patriotism was strongest at the latest breath. We shall ever hold the memory of this young man as sacred, and mourn his loss as that of a near friend. Peace to his ashes! Where they rest with hundreds of his brave comrades, upon the banks of the Antietam. May it be that his spirit was prepared and has ascended to dwell forever with the Great Commander. Lucius B. Briggs was the only son of a widowed mother, who resides in this place in the companionship of an only daughter. We would touch lightly upon the feelings of these mourning friends. They have our hearty sympathy in their loss. The sacrifice is indeed great, the cup of affliction indeed bitter. But let us hope that it will not be for naught. And if ever again the Stars and Stripes shall again wave over a happy and united people, it will be a palliation of our grief to know that the worthy end was accomplished through the exertions and death of him and such as him on the battlefield of our common country. |