Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/259

 A M(n\'il<ut<l ir//-/W and Hero. 243

A MARYLAND WARRIOR AND HERO.

Death of Major William W. Goldsborough, of the Famous Maryland Line, C. S. A.

MILITARY FUNERAL IN BALT1HORE SKETCH OF HIS EVENTFUL

LIFE AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICES SOLDIER,

JOURNALIST, HISTORIAN.

By Winfield Peters, Lieutenant-Colonel, etc., |U. C. V., flaryland riember Historical Committee, etc., United Confederate Veterans.

On Christmas afternoon last the startling information was tele- graphed to Baltimore of the unexpected death in Philadelphia of Major William Worthington Goldsborough, to Captain George W. Booth, acting President of the Society of the Confederate States Army and Navy in Maryland, to the writer and to Sergeant Richard T. Knox, a famous soldier, who accompanied the Major when re- connoitering. A telegram was sent to his widow, Mrs. Louise Goldsborough, to forward the remains to Baltimore, to be buried with military honors in the Confederate burial plot, Loudoun Park Cemetery. Also, General Bradley T. Johnson, former commander and kinsman of Major Goldsborough/ was telegraphed to in Vir- ginia, but he was unable to attend the funeral. And word failed to reach General George H. Steuart in time, to whom, when Colonel First Maryland regiment infantry, C. S. A., 'Major Goldsborough was indebted for the instruction, training and example which helped to develop his superb soldierly qualities.

Major Goldsborough underwent a surgical operation some weeks before his death, refusing an anesthetic, hence he suffered agony, the shock from which it is believed shattered his system beyond re- pair. About five years ago his thigh bone was shattered from being struck down by a bicycle, after which he never walked without crutches. While in the hospital in Philadelphia he met and married his wife, who faithfully nursed him to the end. He hated to die, and fought death with his tremendous will-power. Once he said to his wife: <( Should the end come, don't bury me among the Yankees here; send my body to Broad-street station, and ship it to Winfield Peters, Baltimore." His command was obeyed.