Chatham County NcArchives Military Records.....Merritt, Leonidas J., Lieutenant July 1862
Civilwar Chatham Rifles, 15th Regiment, North Carolina Troops 
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Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com July 30, 2007, 11:46 am

Death
The Standard of Raleigh, July 9, 1862
     DEATH OF LIEUTENANT LEONIDAS J. MERRITT
   We are grieved to record the death of this gallant and noble-hearted young 
man, who fell in the battle below Richmond on Tuesday last. LIEUT. MERRITT was 
a second in command of the Chatham Rifles, 15th Regiment, N.C.T.; and we learn 
from his Captain (CAPTAIN LONDON, who passed through this place on Sunday) 
that he was struck with a minnie ball, which entered his side through his arm, 
and came out under his shoulder blade. He died almost instantly. His last 
expression was "Come on, my brave boys!"
   LIEUTENANT MERRITT was wounded in the battle of Wynn's Mill, and was 
relieved for some weeks from duty on this account, during which time he 
occupied his seat as a member of the Convention. He returned voluntarily to 
his company, as under the conscription law he was exempt, being a Clerk of one 
of the Courts at Chathanm. We conversed  with him the day he returned, and we 
know, as his conduct shows, that he was actuated by the loftiest sense of 
duty. His fellow citizens of Chatham were urging him to be a candidate for the 
Legislature, and his election would have been certain, if he had consented to 
run, and this also would have exempted him from conscription; but he told us 
he was in for the war, and he could not think of leaving the brave boys who 
composed his company, and who had stood by him in battle.
   He was a young man of fine attainments and unusual prommise; and if his 
life had been spared, he would have taken position among our best and ablest 
public men. We knew him intimately, and we mingle our regrets with those of 
his numerous friends who deplore his death.

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