The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Death of Lt. J. Rudhall White at the Battle of Shepherdstown: 'Thank God I Am Over At Last'

From the October 8, 2008, AotW "On the  trail of the Corn Exchange Regiment."  These guys went to the battle site, and retraced the steps of the hapless 118th, even crossing the Potomac River on foot.  Now, there's some dedication.  Well worth going to it and reading.  Lots of pictures.  Too bad John Burns was not with them.  This would be right up his line/

One of the saddest incidents on this disastrous day happened  after the action was really over.  Lieutenant J. Rudhall White had passed through the desperate dangers of the contest and had safely landed  upon the Maryland shore.

As he reached the top of the river-bank he stopped and said, "Thank God I am over at last."

His halt attracted attention and a musket ball, doubtlessly aimed  from the other side by a skilled marksman, plowed through his bowels.  The wound was almost instantly fatal; he died as he was being borne away.

White was a handsome, soldierly young man of scarce twenty summers.  A native of Warrenton, Virginia, at the breaking out of the war, he was a young lieutenant in the Black Horse Cavalry, a command subsequently  famous in all of the campaigns in Virginia.

Differing in sentiments from his friends and his family, sacrificing  the ties of home and friendship, he determined to defend his convictions with his sword...."

So Here Was a Man Who Was from Virginia But Fighting for the Union.  --Old Secesh


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