Lynchburg Newspaper, 9 Sept. 1864
OBITUARY
HENRY D. YANCEY, son of Wm. Tudor Yancey, fell at the battle near Spotsylvania C.H. on the 8th of May, 1864.
Yes, he is at rest, but we are in tears. With everything to make life dear, he has been cut down ere reaching the prime of manhood: and the brave young soldier has been gathered to his country's bosom. He sleeps in an unknown grave, but the memory of him is fresh in the hearts of his countrymen, and the fame of his noble __aving has added another gem to the crown of Southern Liberty. It was thus he wrote (at the outset of our struggle for freedom) to cue who was very dear to him---"I hope I shall never leave a blot upon my name. No, I had rather die a thousand deaths than desert my post. When the roaring cannon is heard, and the dazzling bayonet is seen in front, I shall stand and bid them do their worst. My whole life, as long as it last, is devoted to our righteous cause." These lines, written in anticipation of his first battle, would sufficiently portray his character, and claim for him our reverence and our admiration; but in deeds as well as in words he ____ a shining mark, and the brave young champion of the Southern Cross fell in defence of that hallowed emblem, and vow the brightest tribute from a soldiers heart (his comrades praises). Endowed with high intellect and devoted to ____ he gave promise of becoming all that fond parents could have wished.
Nature had indeed been generous---for while she endowed him with many manly and noble qualities, she bestowed upon him the more feminine talent of music, which alone would have rendered him the charm of the social circle.
Dedicated as the child of God, in his infancy, the subject of the earnest prayers of a tender parent, may we not hope that although he lies beneath the sod, his immortal spirit rests within the bosom of a merciful saviour.
Funeral Announcement (1866):
http://www.intelos.net/~wsbsmith/HenryDYanceyFuneral1.jpgFuneral Report (1866):
http://www.intelos.net/~wsbsmith/HenryDYanceyFuneral2.jpg