Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/190

176 trust." His countenance was the impersonation of resignation and peace. The second said, in answer to the inquiry whether he loved the Saviour: "Oh, yes, sir; I love Him with all my heart. I know that I am dying, and that I will soon be in heaven, to reign with Him forever."

Capt. Abram Poindexter, son of Rev. Dr. A. M. Poindexter, of Virginia, was one of the noblest Christian characters, and one of the most active workers for Christ in the army. Rev. Dr. J. A. Broadus, in a memorial address on Dr. Poindexter, thus described the heroic death of this young soldier, and the influence he exerted on his men:

The older son, Abram Wimbish Poindexter, at the age of twenty-one years, enlisted as a volunteer before his brother's death in an infantry company which he materially assisted in raising, and was elected first lieutenant. Afterward, by the death of Captain Easley, he became captain; it was Company K, Forty-sixth Virginia. The young man had made a public profession of religion the previous year, was a graduate of Wake Forest college, and principal of Talladega academy, in Alabama. As teacher and as officer he showed superior talents and great force and charm of character. Before Petersburg, July 30, 1864, the enemy exploded their now famous mine, and poured through the great gap in the works, enfilading with deadly fire the thin Confederate lines on either side. Captain Poindexter's company was especially exposed, and stood its ground amid heavy loss. Every officer but himself was borne away severely wounded. Addressing the little remnant of his company, the young captain said: "Boys, we must hold this position, or die in our places, for the salvation of the town depends upon the enemy's not carrying these works." Presently an officer rode by, and seeing the little handful of a company standing firm, he asked who was their commander. They replied, pointing to a dead body, "There's our captain; he told us we must hold these works, or die in the defense, and we mean to do it." And they did. Without an officer, the little fragment of a company obeyed their dead captain's commands, and stood firm before the enfilading fire and the rush of the foe.