Troy Times - Veteran

March 24, 1864

MOORE, CAPTAIN WILLIAM R. - Another Patriot Fallen - Died, on the 27th ult., in the Hospital at Brandy Station, Va., of hemorrhage of the bowels, Captain, William R. Moore, in the 30th year of his age. Never, perhaps, have we been called upon to record the death of a man more worthy and more profoundly esteemed by all who knew him, than Captain Moore. His qualities as a man and citizen had ever been such as to endear him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. From early youth it has been his habit to cultivate a peaceful and quiet bearing and to abstain from those vices which too often blast the hopes and happiness of the young. His habits from boyhood to his death had been studious and thoughtful--a gradual cultivation of that genial virtuous character which is the true highway to honor and usefulness. He sought none of the popular amusements, indulged in none of the exciting games that idleness invents to kill time and calm a restless conscience. Toeffun Velox the oft infirmity of the loitering and dolces no ailment of his--for "life was real! life was earnest." Though of studious habit the Captain was not a man of melancholy and reserve. He was cheerful, sociable, affable communicative easy of approach. While it was not in him to stoop to things low, yet he possessed none of that false dignity which deles familiarity and repels the timid. His friendship was not the property of an elect few; but of all to whom it could afford relief or assistance. By study and careful economy of time, he acquired a very literal education, which in addition to his inmate knowledge of human nature, and ability to govern, eminently fitted him for teachery, in which employment several of his former years had been successfully spent. The hundreds of children who have sat under his patient instructions will long remember him with feelings of mingled sorrow and gratitude. May his own good example be ever before them as they assume the higher and graver responsibilities of life. Some two or three years immediately preceding his entering the service he had been engaged in the practice of the law. In this capacity his success was far above the average of those just entering upon their chosen profession. His practice was realizing him so liberal a compensation; that, peculiarly there could have been no indicement for him to abandon it for a commission in the army. But, the love of country was paramount to all mere monetary or temoral interests; hence with the thousands of our brave and true, he girded on his armor for the field and sacrifice. Several weeks at a time he was detailed from the company as Judge Advocate. His loyal acumen, his fine discrimination of justice, his high sense of right, and business tact well qualified him for so important a junction. But in addition to the judicial knowledge he already possessed, he studied assiduously to acquaint himself with the standard works on Military Law, particularly those on Courts Martial, that he might thoroughly understand their composition, organization, findings, sentences, executions of the same etc. His purpose was to be thorough and right in every thing; hence his industry in every matter to which he laid his hand. Labor a anid vencil was his motto. As an Officer I can speak of the Captain in the most commendable terms. I was associated with him in command of the company about fifteen months. During this time we mutually participated in the duties and hardships of the service. Thus associated with him as an officer in the same company, I had a good opportunity of thoroughly knowing the man. As a commander of the company he was thorough and efficient. He was a strict disciplinarian, both in morals and military. His capacity to govern without trouble, without seeming effort, without the savor of tryany, was pre-eminent. Indeed, he imparted to his company such exalted notions of right and of self-respect as to make them almost self-governing. For promptness the Captain had no superior in the Regiment as all his fellow officers will bear me witness. He performed his duties at the time, as well in the manner required. He taught his company by precept and example to be behind is nothing. For example, the morning roll call was generally over before the reveille ceased to beat. Every soldier knows what hasty dressing, and what simultaneous rushing from the tents such promptness requires. But soldiers who love and respect a worthy commander, will not be found lagging behind in any duty. Capt. Moore possessed also the qualities of brave and fortitude in a well balanced degree. He was not braggart, no pretender. Like all men of ture valor, he was modest and unassuming, saying but little of himself, and nothing of what he had done, or would do, or could do! He knew full well actions would in due time proclaim their own merits, and receive their unsolicited reward. He met danger, calmly, bravely, firmly. I was with him when the missiles of death shouted their goings seeming to search all parts of the illness but never did I see him flinch from his post. In Col. Keifer's Official Report of the battle of Winchester, Va., his name (with others) has special mention for valor. It is not a man who loves truly his country and his God, to shriek from duty not from death.--The consciousness itself of falling in no good a cause as that of our country goes very far in imparting to the soul a willingness to meet its God--so great is the virtue of loyalty. And yet, there is a higher kind of loyalty, which leads me to speak of the Captain. As a Christian In this character, also, I can sincerely speak of him in the most favorable manner. I feel certain that no man in the Regiment can cite to any act of his while in the services, which would give my statements a shade of contingency. His unknown Christian conduct was witnessed by all the Regiment. His internal experience, however, was perhaps more fully laid open to me than any one else. Our conversation touching religion was frequent, embracing the leading to _________ and experiences of the Church. The Captain was a thorough believer in the Divine origin of Christianity; in conversation by the Holy Ghost in experimental religion; in salvation through Christ alone. Skepticism, Universalism, Fatalism, and the many other "isms" of Satan and of philosophy falsely so called, seemed never to disturb his mind. He was a man of tender emotions, and deep Christian affection. Those qualities were quite manifest in his attendance upon the religious exercises in the Regiment. He was not a cold and idle heater in these meetings, but a participant, in spirit, in all the songs and supplications through which our devotions had utterance. I had his active sympathy and cooperation in all the religions exercises of the company. He felt that both the discipline and the spiritual interests of the company were involved in their reverence for religion. He occasionally spoke in these social meetings, and always alternated in asking a blessing at the table.--He thought it ungrateful to partake of the simplest repast without first acknowledging the hand of God in even that unmerited gift. He constantly carried with him a small Testament, the gift of his wife upon entering the service. This he habitually read morning and evening. In battle, on every march, and scout, in every duty, this little Book was carried carefully in his breast pocket. When Elder Harvey, our worthy Chaplain, organized a Regimental Church, the Captain became a member. The consciousness of right and the Divine blessing attending this step, imported to his soul a higher and more satisfactory enjoyment. He fully appreciated the nature of the new relation he had assumed; and endeavored to adorn his profession with a Godly walk and conversation. Hitherto he had not been identified with any branch of the Church; but intended to take this step as soon as practicable after reaching home to remain. Though liberal to all branches of the Church, he often expressed to me his preference between them. With this he would doubtless have become connected and have been one of its most active members, had he lived to return to the peaceful pursuits of life. I might relate a number of incidents illustrative of the Captain's scrupulous regard for religion, and of his taste for its devotional exercises; but the space allotted me in a notice like this will not permit. One, however, I may be indulged in: On a certain expedition a rebel's Bible was picked up.--The following evening we were up late, giving personal attention to the pickets. About to retire, he proposed that we should make good use of that hitherto misconstrued volume, by reading a chapter, and praying before lying down for a little rest. We reared our altar in a covered wagon and amid the darkness and solitude of the hour spoke to Him who rules amid the camps of freemen, as well as in their homes and households of peace. As a Husband and Father I have always heard the Captain spoken of in the highest terms. To be a true man in these relations is to perform the highest duty of man to mortals. He was more than ordinarily attached to his family, frequently speaking of them, and sending them, tokens of remembrance and love. He carried with him their likenesses, and often have I seen him bending over them with anxious look as if striving to realize in them the actual presence of the loved ones whose shadows only he held. In a word, I would infer from my acquaintance with him that no man possessed a profounder affection for wife and children than he. But alas! He was not spared to carry out his cherished wishes, respecting their bringing up and education. In an unexpected hour death came, and took from them their best and truest earthly friend.--But a Heavenly Friend is left, from whose love nothing shall be able to separate them. The news of Captain Moore's death fell with surprise and crushing weight upon his family, and the large circle of kindred and friends. It seemed scarcely possible that one so promising for good, so virtuous, so upright in all his dealings, and beloved by all who knew him--that he should be thus ruthlessly cut down. But we are consoled with the belief, that in his death there is a Providence in whose wisdom and goodness the children of earth may implicitly confide. Surely He that numbers the hairs of our heads and permits not a sparrow to fall without his notice, will not suffer so good a man to fall without gathering him home, and watching tenderly the loved ones he has left behind. The great love and tenderness of this Holy Being are graphically set forth in the inspired language of the 103d Psalm--the last portion of Scripture read to our friend on his dying bed. The Captain was at home some three weeks before his decease. Before leaving he expressed his belief that he should never return alive. What solemn emotions must have swelled his heart when with such impressions he took his final adieu from the loved ones in whose society he had realized his truest earthly enjoyment. His final sickness was in the Hospital at Brandy Station, near the Camp of his Regiment and company. Every kindness and attention was shown him by his physicians and nurses. A Chaplain, also, was present, and conversed freely with him touching his spiritual state. He was ready and willing to die, feeling that all his trust was in Jesus. Thus resigned, thus prepared, thus casting all on Christ, he calmly yielded up his spirit at half past one o'clock on the morning of Feb. 27th, 1864.--His remains were deposited in the cemetery at Fletcher, O.; Monday the 6th inst., in the presence of an immense assemblage. He was buried in the honors of war by a battalion commanded by Lieut. Col. Foster, late of the 110th O. V. I. Sermons in the Methodist and Baptist Churches. In the former, by Chaplain Chapman, from 1 Peter, 1:24; in the latter by the writer, from 1 Thes. 4"13. H. Y Rush Addison, O., 7th, 1864 P. S. Col. Keifer, Dr. McCandless, and other esteemed officers and nurses that extended to the Captain their kindness and assistance in his illness, have the cordial thanks and well wishes of his bereaved companion and friend.