James P. McMahon

                  OBITUARY.
 Killed, in the battle of the 3d inst., before Rich-
mond, Col. JAMES P. McMAHON, of the 164th
N.Y. Volunteers, in the 26th year of his age.
 Thus, even in the early blush of manhood, has
another been added to the band of noble and gal-
lant spirits who have gone down beneath the bloody
tide of this cruel and relentless war. Possessed of
the courage of a Spartan, animated and exalted by
the faith of a practical Christian, he met, without
shrinking, the dangers and responsilbilities of the
various positions in which he was placed, and
closed his brief but brilliant career by an act of
heroism which has few parallels in the annals of
this or any other war.  On the eventful morning of
that day of death and carnage his was the perilous
duty of storming the enemy's works.  His men re-
coiled before the fearful fire which was poured into
them, in front and on the flank. With fiery words
of exhortation their youthful Colonel endeavored
to rally them. Failing in this he seized the colors
of his regiment and appealing to his men to follow
him, he advanced and planted his standard upon
the parapets of the enemy. He had scarcely done
so when he became the target of a thousand marks-
men within the breastworks, and when his body
was recovered it was found riddled with bullets.
Thus was his life, dear to him, and dearer if possi-
ble to the three orphaned sisters, whom for years
he had watched over with a brother's affection and
a father's care, sacrificed in the heroic discharge of
duty.
 Col. McMahon, while stationed with his regiment,
in the vicinity of Washington, was a frequent
visitor to our city. In this way, we came to know
him and love him. Possessed of a mind cultivated
and refined, with a heart overflowing with all the
generous impulses of our nature, and blessed with
a disposition genial, tender and affectionate--it is
no wonder he became the idol of the circle in
which he visited. No wonder either, that the an-
nouncement of his death, has caused so many and
such bitter tears amongst those who knew and
appreciated his manly virtues. In behalf of his
friends in Washington this humble tribute is
offered to his memory, while at the same time we
join with them in the heartfelt prayer of "Peace
to his ashes, and eternal rest to his soul."  E.