Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/372

362 of building a battery facing "ship channel," and preventing supplies and reinforcements from reaching Sumter by that route.

Obeying an impulse alike of duty and affection, Harleston went over to the island and asked his old superintendent, from whose hands he had but just received the diploma awarded to the first-honor graduate, to be allowed to take his place in the ranks of the corps he had recently commanded as Cadet Captain. A cordial greeting was given him, and Major Stevens published an order accepting his services and assigning him the post of Acting Adjutant.

Thus began the career of the young soldier, whose memory is cherished and honored by his friends to-day.

A gallant career ! Begun in devotion to his friends and his State, sustained with high honor through the terrible experiences of a siege in some respects the most remarkable which military history records, and ended by an act of quiet yet sublime self-sacrifice !

As he lay in the fort, his comrades took from his jacket-pocket, a piece of paper, on which he had but recently written these words:

And if from their sacred home, beyond the clash and jar and discords of this brief life, the gallant dead see us, and know us, take my testimony to-day, my friends, when I tell you, that we, who knew and loved those men, knew full well how sweet and holy their satisfaction when they see this becoming memorial in honor of one who so well deserved his place in the affections of his friends.

Aye, more — if Harleston' s unselfish spirit knows aught that we have done, how sweet the satisfaction to realize the fulfilment of his own cherished hope, and to know that here, where his character was formed, and his purpose of duty fixed ! Here ; where manly men and boys are preparing for life's high trusts, here in the city for whose safety he gave his life, and here, from the living offerings of his personal friends we have met to testify, that he and his brave comrades have indeed "exchanged their country's arms for more, their country's heart."

I rejoice in the holy impulse of affection that suggested this memo-