For the Intelligencer.
IN MEMORIUM.
October 8, 1863
Camp of 2D Va. Mt. Infantry,
Beverly, W.Va., September 29.
Pursuant to previous notice, a meeting of the officers of the 2d Regt. Va. Vol. Mtd. Infantry was held this evening at 7 o'clock. The meeting was organized by appointing Col. Geo. R. Latham, President, and Capt. James H. Billingsley, Secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated by the President, Capt. Turxal arose and pronounced the following eulogium on the late Major Patrick McNally:
Fellow Officers: -- It becomes my painful duty to announce the death of our companion and mutual friend, Major Patrick McNally. The bearers of the flag of truce, who brought to our lines this melancholy intelligence, inform us that he died in the hospital at White Sulphur Springs, on the 22nd of the past month, of wounds received in the battle at Rocky Point, on the 26th of August. When we were compelled to leave him in the hands of the enemy, we feared the worst results; but as "hope springs immortal in the human soul," we fancied in a few weeks or months we would again grasp his hand and hail him welcome back. But he had filled the cup of his glory, and passed away to add another star to the galaxy of lights that are to gild our country's banner when the great problem of Republican government is demonstrated, and the song of joy and triumph arises from a thousand alters now wrapped in mourning.
We cannot adequately appreciate the labors of such intrepid spirits as the late Major McNally. Time alone can reveal the grandeur of such sacrifices. A thousand hecatombs, not of "the cattle on a thousand hills," but of the brave and noble sons of freedom, may be a sufficient oblation for the sins of a nation; but, towering above the smoke of the altars, will arise a monument to the memory of sleeping warriors, when our offspring in future ages speak or think of the American rebellion. Already that monument is building in our hearts, and among the honored names inscribed in indelible characters high up on the obelisk is the name of Major Patrick McNally.
I take the liberty to offer the following resolutions:
Resolved, That we have learned with profound sorrow, of the death of Major P. McNally, late of this Regiment; and we deplore it as a calamity not only to his family and friends, but in him the country has lost a brave and intrepid officer, who had won his laurels on many battlefields, gallantly supporting the glorious flag of his country, and offering his life a sacrifice on her altar.
Resolved, That we offer to his bereaved companion and aged parents our sincere condolence, hoping that the Almighty hand that "tempers the wind to the shorn lamb," may guard his helpless child and bind up their bleeding hearts.
Resolved, That as a testimonial of respect for the memory of our beloved brother officer, we will wear the usual badge of mourning on our saber hilts for thirty days.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of the deceased.
On motion of Adjutant J. Combs, the foregoing resolutions were unanimously adopted, and the editors of the Wheeling Intelligencer, Ironton Times and Ironton Register requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: September 1863