Oxford Times, December 7, 1864
Death of Wm. A. Newton: The following letter to his father, conveys the mournful details of the death of Wm. A. Newton, one of the honored dead of the 114th Regiment.
His surviving companions in arms, will bear willing testimony to every word in praise of this young soldier, one of whom lately remarked to us, that in all his hardships trials, fatigue and suffering, in which he was long associated with Mr. Newton, a complaint never escaped his lips; he was ever cheerful, faithful, obedient, and trusty, beloved by officers, and respected by all his comrades.
Satterlee U.S. Gen. Hospital, West Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 20th, 1864
To Wm S. Newton, Oxford [Chenango Co., NY]: Sir: At your request, I make the following statement concerning William A. Newton, of Co. A 114th N.Y. Vols. By the testimony of a man of his own company, William enjoyed the confidence and approbation of his companions. He did not swear; he was not intemperate; he was not passionate; he was kind and obliging. He was always ready to do his duty. At the battle of Cedar Creek, on the 19th of October, 1864, under Gen. Sheridan, he was wounded in the right knee.
When brought to this hospital the time for safe amputation had passed. His wound grew worse and ultimately caused the poisoning of his blood from which he died.
During the greater part of his illness he retained his faculties, his mind was clear just before his death. During this time I visited him daily; sometimes twice each day. My great desire and effort was to lead him to Christ the Savior; to lead him to centre all his hope and trust in Christ. This hope and trust he exercised. Awaking to a sense of his condition, he looked to Jesus, who alone was able to save him. His evidence brightened each day. After seeing him on Sabbath afternoon, the 18th inst., I was sent for in the evening as he desired to be baptized. I visited him, learned from himself his wish, and, deeming the way open, I administered baptism to him.
Each visit I made to him, each conversation I held with him, convinced me that his faith was centered upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and that Christ Jesus was preparing him for his great change. That change I believe has been a happy one. He who was a faithful soldier of his country, became a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ, and, through Christ, obtained the victory. The blessed fruits of that victory he is now enjoying. He now basks in the eternal sunshine of the throne of God and of the Lamb. His great desire for his parents and all his relatives and friends was that they should prepare to meet him in the skies. I am, with respect, Yours in Christian Bonds,
Jas. G. Shinn, Chaplain U.S.A.
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