Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/232

222 death of Captain Vicars, of the 97th Regiment, while gallantly repulsing a night sortie of the Russians, at the head of his men in the trenches. This was a good man, and in his instance is realized the promise, 'The memory of the just is blessed.' In passing through one of my wards the day after the news of his death had arrived at Scutari, I met with two or three of his men, who spoke to me with the most earnest and affectionate interest, inquiring the truth of the sad news. They all bore testimony to his excellence, and to his unceasing and zealous endeavours to impress them with religions sentiments, and instruct them in religious truth. He appears to have acted as a father and evangelist to his men. One very interesting= youth wept freely while he spoke of his own former wild and thoughtless course, from which he had been reclaimed by the exhortations and instructions of Captain Vicars, who used to read and expound the Scriptures and pray with his men individually, as well as sometimes collectively. This young man received religious books from me with evident intentions to use and profit by them, and told me how Captain Vicars had exhorted him to be useful in speaking a word to his thoughtless comrades, as well as in keeping his own faith. What a blessing is such a character as Captain Vicars; and I believe there are not a few of the like spirit just now in our army."

"The loss of Captain Vicars is felt by many — many a one out here. But he rejoices and enjoys the fruits of his heavy labours in the loving bosom of his God and Saviour. Willingly would I have resigned my poor life to have prevented the deadly blow.

"I wept for his loss, but now I envy him his glory.

"I send you some clay I got on his grave, and a rough sketch (but true) of his tombstone. His men have ornamented the grave with shells, and flowers are already growing there."

" — The name of Captain Vicars is engraven on the hearts of the private soldiers of the 97th, with feel-