Page:Memorials of Capt. Hedley Vicars, Ninety-seventh Regiment by Marsh, Catherine, 1818-1912.djvu/233

Rh ings of love and gratitude. believe here is not a man in the Regiment but would have run any risk to have saved his life. I, as his servant, can assure you, he was as a brother to me, and not as a master, though no gentleman could be more honoured and respected. I feel a happiness when I think of the home his soul is now enjoying.

"I am requested by the soldiers of the 97th to say how pleased and thankful they will be for the little books about him when they reach; and I believe there are many of the men will keep them till the day they die.

" I can't tell you how much I felt the loss of poor Vicars. Ever since I joined the Regiment he was one of my best friends in every sense of the word, always trying to do me good, both by example and advice; however, I have no doubt the poor fellow is much happier where he is; he fell, as he wished to fall, at the head of his men, leading them on to victory. I can't tell you how much his company loved him; and if you were to see the poor fellow's grave, how nicely they have done it round with stones and shells, showing in the only way they could, how deeply they felt his loss!

"At twelve o'clock on the night of the 22d of March, his servant rushed into my tent, saying they were bringing his master home wounded. He must have died just before he arrived in camp, for at the Picquet-house he asked the men that were carrying him to put a cloak over him, as he felt cold, and when I saw him a minute afterwards he was dead. He died an easy death — not the slightest sign of suffering about him. He appeared as if he were in a tranquil sleep; his poor servant and the soldiers that carried him were all in tears. I never saw an officer so much loved as he was. Many a vow of vengeance was uttered, and no doubt will be kept when they get the chance. I used to have such work to make him take his pistols; and that night I dined out, and he did