MAJOR CHARLES J. MILLS

I would the friends we miss were safe arrived.

Some must go off; and yet, by these I see,
So great a day as this is cheaply bought.

Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt;
He only liv'd but till he was a man ;
The which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd,
In the unshrinking station where he fought,
But like a man he died.

THE telegraph, which has borne the tidings of great victories during the past week, has not yet perhaps doled out our full list of losses. A few names have reached us, and among them that of Major Charles J. Mills, killed almost on the day of his return to his post, not yet recovered from long and enfeebling illness.

One of the heroic class of 1860, a kinsman of Wilder and Howard Dwight, he early prepared himself for service by drill and study, and sought it most persistently. But his almost feminine delicacy of appearance inspired distrust and deterred one commander after another from accepting one whose slender frame seemed so unfitted for the hardships of a compaign. he persevered, was made Second Lieutenant in the Second Regiment, August 14, 1862, promoted to a first lieutenancy three days later, took part in the retreat

Still

after Cedar Mountain, acted as adjutant at Antietam, was fearfully wounded and lay two nights on the battle field.

This wound crippled him so hopelessly that, after months of suffering borne with fortitude, he was compelled to resign. Determined to serve his country in one way if not in another, he obtained a situation in the bureau of Admiral Davis at Washington, and labored faithfully till he flattered himself his health was restored. In the autumn of 1863, he dragged himself back into the army, became the Adjutant of the Fiftysixth Regiment, and was soon transferred to the staff of Brigadier-General Stevenson, whom he served devotedly till the lamented death of that officer. Then, after a brief service on the staffs of several brigadiers, he was made Assistant Adjutant-General by Major-General Hancock, and passed from him to his successor, General Humphreys, having been promoted to the rank of Captain and Major. He served through the long bloody campaign from the battles of the Wilderness down to this date, interrupted occasionally by illness.

A modest, sensitive, conscientious, intelligent, brave officer, a loving, dutiful son, an affectionate friend, he died with the love and respect of all who knew him, -family, friends, classmates, comrades of the camp.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMAS G.

STEVENSON

The hand of the reaper

Takes the ears that are hoary,
But the voice of the weeper
Wails manhood in glory.

Fleet foot on the correi,

Sage counsel in cumber,

Red hand in the foray,

How sound is thy slumber!

WHILE brave men are falling by thousands, while the wires that flash the joyful news of victories vibrate with tidings of the wounded and dying, while so many homes are made desolate, and the mourners go about the street, while so many more are feverish with anxiety, dreading lest the next long list shall include the lookedfor name, it seems almost invidious to challenge public sympathy for the loss of any one soldier, however high his rank.

But those who have watched the course of BrigadierGeneral Stevenson are aware that one of the most promising officers of the army has fallen; those who have served under him will feel that one of the bravest, wisest, kindest commanders has been taken away from them; those who came within the wide circle of his friendship, who have been warmed by his cordial smile, have felt his hearty grasp, know that they have lost a

faithful friend; those who have entered his happy home realize the peculiar poignancy of this bereavement, that in that darkened house the silver cord is loosed indeed. As a soldier, his imperturbable coolness, quick insight, unerring judgment, and thorough mastery of his art, attracted at once the attention of his superiors, and rapidly won their enthusiastic admiration.

As an officer, his abilities commanded confidence, his almost stern dignity inspired fear, his friendly counsel, given with feminine tact, awakened gratitude, his postponement of his own comfort to that of his men, his disregard of self, his tender care of those committed to his charge, created a passionate attachment.

Off duty, he was the bosom friend of the youngest lieutenant; on duty, he was the commander; and this transformation was complete, the boundary line was distinct.

It was difficult to say whether fear or love predominated in the hearts of those who followed him and idolized him.

The list of Massachusetts officers comprises many men of brilliant intellects and heroic hearts, but we have never known one who had such a happy combination of all the qualities of head and heart that go to make a perfect soldier and a successful commander, as Thomas G. Stevenson.