REV. JEREMIAH TALBOTT'S EULOGY AT THE DOUBLE FUNERAL OF LT. COL. JOUETT AND MAJOR CAMPBELL, OCTOBER 12, 1862
I cannot in the limits of this discourse do justice to the character of these noble dead, and I will not attempt it. In the intimacy of a long, close, and warm friendship, I knew them well. Two loftier spirits have not gone hence to Heaven than those which left this clay behind them.
Beautiful was the love of the son of Saul, and the son of Jesse -- and as beautiful and true was the love of these heroes, who in life were as brothers, and in death were not divided. It is fitting that they should sleep together!
There was a confidence and constancy between them, such as I never saw before; and it was well that their spirits, from the same fearful field should journey together to God!
I knew they were brave -- I knew how their hearts were in the cause upon whose altar they have lain their lives, and I know they have died as they wished!
It was given them both to linger awhile after the death stroke was received to think of and pray to that savior, of whose atoning sacrifice, beneath a Southern sky, through the long watches of the summer night, until the gray of the morning came, we so often have talked. Of this let us be thankful! Both of them were skilled in the word of God. Both of them knew the way to the Cross of Christ, and each of them did honor unto God. In his very nature Colonel Jouett was religious. The emotional in his character often surprised me, when in this religious garb he exhibited it. With a reverence for everything which God has made, his spirit communed with every natural beauty -- and when his lighted eye gazed upon some beautiful landscape and his poetic soul drank in the glory of a setting sun; of his lofty fancy marched with the majestic flow of a rolling river, or climbed the summit of the cloud robed Cumberland -- under such circumstances, when the true spirit of the man came out, communed with all that is great and grand and beautiful, I have heard him utter words which made me feel that I stood in the presence of a soul whose native home was far above the place and portion of the common herd of men! I have stood in wonder to behold the stern soldier; changed by the magic of some beautiful work of God, to the rapt and entranced Poet. He gazed upon nature with the eye of an artist, and an adoring devotion to the Great Creator softened and shaded every creation of his mind. He spoke a language familiar to the pure and beautiful, and every picture of beauty responded to his voice. He was in league with mountains, rivers, plains, and flowers, and they laid a spell upon him. Their mighty spirits did baptize him, and in their high communion he was their child!
With this adoration of natural beauty and this natural reverence for Him who set forth the world in comeliness and order, Major Campbell sympathized.
I have sat with these men and Colonel Pope in our camp in Alabama and watched the evening sun climb the steeps of the Cumberland, and long after the dusk of the evening enshrouded us, where we sat still far up, the glory of the sunlight bathed the mountain's brow and led out thoughts on up to God, and we would send the sacrifice of an adoring devotion on the golden sunlight up to the throne of God, and we would talk of God, of home, and of Heaven. And from this sweet communion, with the bugle's soft tattoo, with tender hearts we would repair to our consecrated tent, and bowing on the cold ground, pray to the God of the mountains and of man that we might dwell in the sunlight of Heaven. It was thus that I learned the deep religious character of them both. But they are gone! Their eyes shall gaze no more on the glories of the earth, but the prayers of those lonely nights have sought the throne of God, and in my soul I believe when this warfare is ended I shall meet them in Heaven.
As soldiers they were as brave as heroism! Everything which is an attribute of manhood gave strength and richness to their characters. An incorruptible integrity sat like a mantle upon them, and a kindness and tenderness for every suffering creature gave a charm and beauty to their lives. I have seen them both dismounted, trudge the weary march along, and sick or exhausted soldiers riding in their places. Tender as a woman I have seen them nurse the sick and suffering, or with cheering pleasantry win the home-longing soldier from his despondency and grief.
There was one habit which distinguished them both; it was this, that they shared the lot of the soldiers, whatever it might be. If the soldier slept in rain and tempest, no place could tempt them from his side, but they shared the cold ground and the starlit coverlet when these were the soldier's portion. With them the service was indeed, no holiday. It was a stern, deep, and abiding sense of duty which called them to arms, and no nobler soldiers ever buckled on the sword. But enough of this; the overwhelming fact is here; great and good and true and brave as they were, they are calmly sleeping now! and to think how dear they were in life only makes us deplore them the more in death!
Away upon that dreadful field their shattered regiment is lying, bathed in blood and carnage! I know somewhat of its composition. I know the grief of those war-worn veterans. I know how they loved, aye, idolized these men, and I know the vacancy that is there!
If the devotion of these soldiers could bring them back they would return. If thousands of slain could buy back again the life which is fled the fearful price would be paid or they would perish in the attempt. If the healing of tears were a balm for their wounds then had they been healed; but our tears are in vain.
Of this I am thankful, that they fell on their native soil. I am glad that the fortunes of war brought them from the far South. Kentucky alone should drink in their blood, and on her grieving breast it was well for them to die.
My countrymen! Enshrine in your hearts the memory of these Kentucky's -- the nation's noblest sons! No better offering than their spotless lives was ever laid on her altar! Alas! that their memory alone remains! But that shall be a priceless legacy to us! We will remember them, though oblivious of all else! And the fearful picture of the thundering cannon, the flashing bayonet, the rattling musketry, and the bleeding form, is stamped forever on my recollection. I can all but hear the quick cry of pain, and the low moan of anguish. Oh! If I could but have been there to assuage the horrors of that lonely hour I would have been satisfied!
My Brethren! We must bury the dead from our sight, and yet I feel to linger here! I cannot bear the thought that this is all of them-- all of the strong and beautiful manhood which went out from our homes -- this poor, cold clay! Yet it is all that remains in this fleeting city -- their spirits are where war can never come! Let us dry our tears and bid our hearts be still. They have died like heroes and are gone. Over their graves spans the rainbow of Promise -- "Because I live ye shall live." Let us sanctify the Lord God in our hearts! In the midst of our grief let a paean of victory burst forth mingling with the voice from Heaven, saying blessed are the dead who died in the Lord! From the solution of this ruined city turn to their Eternal home! It shines out through the rifted Heavens, and the pale hands of the dead hold the shadowy veil aside and beckon us on!
We will lay them to their rest, but the promise of resurrection morn shall shine on the darkness of their burial day!
Friends, brothers, sisters, wife and mother receive the chastening of God! "It is I, be not afraid." Let it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness! In that continuing city we shall see them again! Let the warriors rest -- we will soon rest with them! But while life remains, this breast at least shall keep as it brightest, holiest treasure, the memory of three honored dead!
Unto God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be all glory and honor, might, majesty, and dominion, now, henceforth, and forever! Amen.
Louisville Journal, October 12, 1862