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Charles Sedam Heermance was born in Albany, of pious parents, September 30, 1842. He was a member of the First Congregational Sabbath school, and was an exemplary youth. Being ardent in his patriotism, he joined the One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment New York State Volunteers, Company B, that he might be of some service in sustaining the honor of his country's flag. When his regiment was ordered off, they joined the Banks' expedition and sailed from New York for New Orleans, Louisiana. Shortly after their arrival, he was taken ill, and soon died in the hospital, April 22, 1863. His remains, with many others, were brought to Albany and deposited in the Rural Cemetery. Thus he gave his young life, a noble sacrifice, for his country. His noble example will long be cherished by loving friends and a grateful community.
The following letter, from Captain Merrihew, shows the estimation in which he was held by his officers and companions in arms:
Bonnet Carre, La., April 23, 1863. |
Mr. C. J. Heermance: Dear Sir—The circumstances under which I now address you, are painful to me, while to you they will be rendered doubly so. It devolves upon me to communicate to you the sad intelligence of the death of your son, Charles S. Heermance; he died here in the hospital, yesterday afternoon about two o'clock, of chronic diarrhoea. He had been in the hospital nearly all of the time since our arrival at this place. We did not consider him dangerously ill, and, only yesterday morning, his physician told him that he needed no more medicine; that with proper care of himself, he would soon recover his accustomed health; but it was otherwise ordered. In the afternoon, shortly after dinner, he was taken suddenly ill,and died almost immediately. It may seem hard that we should so suddenly be called upon to mourn the loss of one so young and full of promise, and being so far away from kind friends and loved ones at home; but He who doeth all things well, has seen fit to take him away, and, while we mourn his loss, we have the happy assurance that he has gone to that better world where sickness never comes. Charles was a general favorite in his company, both with officers and men, and particularly so with those who, like him, have been confined in the hospital. They miss him there, for he was always ready and willing to perform little acts of kindess, towards those more unfortunate than himself. You will please accept the heartfelt sympathies of the company of which I now have the command, and of which Charles was a worthy member, in this your great bereavement; for I can assure you that your son had, while being associated with us here, by his many amiable qualities, endeared himself to us all, and we feel that the place now made vacant in our ranks by his death, we may never hope to fill again, by one like him.
His remains have been properly interred, with a board with his name cut thereon, placed at his head, to mark his final resting place. His personal effects are in my possession. Any mementoes or keepsakes which I may find, together with what little money he had, I will retain and deliver or forward to you. |
E. H. MERRIHEW, Captain Co. B, 177th N. Y. S. V. |