Newhanover-Cumberland County NcArchives Obituaries.....Maffitt, Eugene A. January 12, 1886
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Bill Gibson bgibson@uncfsu.edu November 16, 2006, 11:31 pm

Fayetteville Observer & Gazette
Death of Eugene A. Maffitt.

Died in Wilmington on Tuesday, 12th inst., Eugene A. Maffitt, aged about 41 
years.  The death of Mr. Maffitt was attended by circumstances of unusual 
sadness:  just turning with agonized feelings from the performance of the last 
duty of affection to one very dear to him, upon whom Providence had visited an 
affliction more grievous than death, he was prostrated by serious illness in 
Raleigh, and was conveyed home only to bid farewell forever to the objects of 
his fond love and care.

	From his early years the writer knew well the subject of this notice, 
and feels with emotions of keen regret that death has stilled the throbbings 
of a true, brave heart.  The generous, intrepid boy, who, amid the musty 
volumes of the old family library, felt his imagination fired and  and his 
whole being thrilled at the recital of the deeds of the good and great – 
the “Chevalier without fear and reproach;” Sir Launcelot the leal and true; 
the spotless chivalry of the heroic age – expanded into the magnanimous youth 
who, glowing with a  love of country, took his place with glad enthusiasm by 
the side of the stern warrior whose very name was to become the terror of the 
high seas – Semmes the valorous but terrible, the commander of the famous 
cruiser Alabama, whose whole course over trackless waters was irradiated by 
the luster of her victories – and developed into that matured manhood which 
faltered not in devotion to duty through every peril and privation until the 
end came.

	Few Southern soldiers have passed away since the close of the war who 
have left behind them a better record than Eugene A. Maffitt.  Fighting 
bravely at the battle of Port Royal until the fall of the fort, he immediately 
afterward joined Capt. Semmes and served as midshipman of the Alabama until 
the vessel was sunk by the Kersage and the crew, abandoned to their fate, were 
rescued by the yacht Deerhound.  Subsequently he served with his father, Capt. 
John N. Maffitt, on the Owl, and made many perilous voyages running the 
blockade.  In 1868 Mr. Maffitt married the daughter of Mr. Alfred Martin, of 
Wilmington, and leaves a wife and family.

	Alas!  death pauses not because the treasures scattered on its path 
are more precious than jewels or gold – for the fairest droop like fragile 
flowers before its blighting touch; man’s strength falls away in weakness 
before it’s pitiless grasp; the best and the noblest must go to swell the 
trophies of its inexorable power.  We can but hope that a purer, deeper 
sympathy than ours, even from on high, may give comfort to those left in 
sorrow and bereavement.

Additional Comments:
Kate D. Martin was the daughter of Alfred & Christiana Martin.  The children 
of Eugene & Kate Maffitt included: Caroline D., Clarence Dudley, and Catherine 
L. Maffitt.

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