After sickness and recovery and a short trip home, he returned to duty and died at Gettysburg with thousands of others. He was 25 years old. Henry McDaniel recounted how Matts bravery and attention to duty was reflected in everything he did. His life was cut short by the "conflict to end all conflicts". A marble statue in the Monroe Cemetery, was commissioned by his sister in his memory. It stands high above the others, his young handsome face staring forward with his sword at his side and in full uniform.
Many others died that day and were wounded from the 11th. Their lives were cut short, dreams were unfulfilled, and to the families of the fallen their memory kept forever young. As wives and parents grew old, the faces of the fallen were frozen at the moment of death.
This year marks an anniversary. Remember all those who sacrificed. Take some time to reflect, and pray that we learned something.
