184 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



peared while reconnoitering the enemy alone, and was 

 never heard of again. ^ News of this unfortunate event 

 did not reach the father until April 8, 1863, and soon 

 afterwards he wrote as follows on the evils of war: *'War 

 is a great scourge, and this has touched you and me and 

 many a good fellow with a heavy hand. As I look out 

 upon the landscape that lies before my window, and see 

 the men and women working in the fields, and the fields 

 smiling to man's husbandry, when I see no marks of the 

 spoiler, and recognize that each one is safe in his person 

 and secure in his possessions, then it is I see peace, and 

 think of my poor country with a sigh, and, oh, with what 

 reflections. Thoughts on thoughts a countless throng', 

 bless your hearts — you and John — for comforting, with 

 so much solicitude and affection, my poor dear wife in her 

 affliction! Good brothers are you both. How lovely 

 and beautiful are the memories of my Johnny ! I wonder 

 if all parents think of their dead as I do of mine. Bless 

 that sleeping boy ! Never did he, in his whole life, do one 

 single act that either displeased or grieved me or his 

 mother. 'He never offended'. What an epitaph; and 

 how proudly I write it ! But where is the end of this war 

 to find us — where you and yours, me and mine, and 

 where so many that are dear and near to us? Our 

 charming circle of relations is, I fear, broken up, never, 

 never to be restored on this side of the grave". 



* Of this son Maury wrote in the family Bible: "Our noble son, John Hem- 

 don, went out from Vicksburg, Miss., alive, on the 27th day of January, 1863, 

 to reconnoiter the enemy. A few hours afterwards his horse was seen without 

 a rider, but nothing was ever heard of him. From the footprints and other 

 signs and marks on the levee, it is supposed that he was surprised by a scouting- 

 party of the enemy in ambush within our lines and done to death. Comely in 

 person, lovely in disposition, generous and brave, he loved right and hated 

 wrong. Precious in the eyes of his parents, he was very dear to our hearts". 



