OBIT: Hugh J. HUMPHREY, 1863, Cambria Twp., Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian, Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 22 Jan 1863 Volume 4, Number 17 Corp. Hugh J. Humphrey Of the many excellent young men of this vicinity who testified their devotion to their country by pouring forth their life blood on the plains of Fredericksburg, none died more universally regretted than Corp. Hugh J. Humphrey of Co. F, 133d Penna. Vols. The following letter conveys the sad announcement of his demise and pays a touching tribute to his worth and high moral character: Near Falmouth, Va. Dec. 19, 1862 Mr. John Humphrey: Dear Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your beloved son, Hugh J. Humphrey. He died on Sunday afternoon in the hospital at Fredericksburg, Va. He had been wounded in the bowels the Saturday previous. I found him in a church and had him conveyed to our hospital and got a bed for him and made him as comfortable as possible. Corporal Stearns was with him during his last moments. He was fully conscious of death approaching and was perfectly resigned to his fate. He did not suffer much until a few hours of his death. He died as a Christian and a brave soldier and with the full assurance that he had done his duty by his God and his country. He was universally loved and esteemed by all who knew him. We all sincerely sympathize with you in the loss of your dear son. Yours, very truly [Signed] T. L. Heyer The Chaplain of the regiment, Rev. A. J. Hartsock also bears testimony to the uniform uprightness of conduct of the deceased. In a letter to the father, the reverend gentleman says: Dear Friend: I truly sympathize with you in your bereavement. I can cheerfully testify to the upright conduct of your son. When I found him, after the battle of Saturday, he was praying and as fully resigned as any man ever was when about to retire to rest for the night. There were no signs of fear, but he was perfectly calm. He lived until Sabbath about midnight and during that time was perfectly resigned and gave every evidence of a preparation for death. You may rest assured that his soul now rests with God. Shortly before his death, among other messages home, the deceased gave utterance to the following beautiful sentiment: "Tell my father I died for my country; my trust is in God, my hope in Jesus Christ, and all is well with me." Corporal Humphrey was born in Cambria township, this county, where his parents still reside and was about 29 years of age when he fell. A few years ago he removed to Harrisburg where he became engaged in the service of the Adams' Express Company. Subsequently he was appointed an Express messenger on the Pennsylvania Railroad, running through from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, in which capacity he continued to serve until last summer. At home on a visit in August, when Capt. Jones' company was being recruited, he enlisted and offered his services and his life, in behalf of his country. He has gone! – and his fall will bring sorrow to many loving hearts. But his memory will be enshrined among the most sacred reminiscences of patriot souls forever. Honest and true, kind and generous, gifted and manly and brave, he has passed away from the chivalrous spirit of a hero and the hopeful bearing of a Christian. Green be the turf above him!