SERGEANT WM. L. THRALLS.
Another brave boy was Sergeant William L. Thralls, of company B. We say boy, for he was only that in years, yet he was endowed with all the qualities of a grand manhood. In camp, and at all times, a gentleman in his deportment; in action, brave, cool, and intelligent. He had attracted the attention of his superior officers, and was to have been recommended for a lieutenancy. In the first onset at the battle of Jonesboro, he was wounded in the leg, and in endeavoring to leave the field, was offered assistance by his comrades, but this he refused, telling them to stick to their guns, as he would not let them leave the field on his account. This circumstance happened under the eye of Colonel Langley, who there and then commended him for his bravery, and offered to send one of the musicians with him, but no he would not accept, refusing with the inborn politeness of a natural gentleman. The colonel pointed him where our hospital was, and the brave young sergeant dragged himself off the field. When nearly at the hospital he received a mortal wound through the body, of which he shortly died. We will give, in the colonel's own language, his last sad interview with our brave young comrade. He says:
"After night, and when I had reported my position to General Morgan, I went to look up Thralls, for his coolness impressed me all through the fight. On finding him I learned that after nearly reaching the hospital, he had received another wound through the body, of which he must shortly die. I was shocked to hear it for I greatly wanted that boy to recover, so that I could give him the promotion I intended for him, and he so well deserved. I bent over his dying form, gently touching him, and spoke his name. Upon recognizing me he roused a little and expressed much delight that I had come to see him. He first asked me how the battle had gone, and upon being told, he seemed greatly gratified. He begged to be assured that I was entirely satisfied with his conduct, and upon being told that he was the first man that I had ever seen who refused help from the field, and that such denial evinced a discipline so unusual, and a spirit so unselfish, as to make his conduct specially commendable, and that as a true soldier he had done his whole duty. He seemed content, was willing to die for his country, and be at rest, for he was suffering most intense pain. With a sad heart I bade that boy farewell."
Yes, poor fellow, he was loved by us all, and we deeply mourned his death. It is such men as these whose company is an honor to the living, and over whose memory we meditate with saddened thoughts. But to that galaxy of bright names on high, to which so many names were added during our terrible war, we feel assured that the name of William L. Thralls, is also there, shining with the effulgence of glory. Brave soldier, true comrade, faithful friend, farewell. The pines of Georgia wail a mournful requiem over your last resting place, but your better part has gone to God who gave it; this is the assurance that the bible gives, and we believe it. Suffice it to say, that no braver name appears on the muster roll of company B, than Sergeant William L. Thralls, and what more glorious epitaph than that which comes after: "Died of wounds received at Jonesboro, Ga., September 2, 1864."