“Edward Sorrell was shot through the head in a skirmish with the enemy, Dec. 22, 1864.
Brother Sorrell was born in the state of Virginia 1826. He was ‘born again’ six years ago in the city of Baltimore after a severe and protracted struggle with his sins. His Christian life from that hour was consistent and pure.
He moved into Dryden, July 1st, 1861. Not only loving his country devotedly, but, also weighing well the Divine purpose to his own race, in the war raging in our country, he felt himself called from peaceful avocations into the bitter strife. Bidding his aged mother, youngest son, and dearer than all these, his wife, farewell, he enlisted, Jan. 14th, 1864, and went into service with the 26th Reg’t Col. Vol. He remained on Wreckers Island until April 1st, when he went to Annapolis with his Reg’t., where her remained only three weeks. His Reg’t., was then ordered to Beaufort S.C. in the vicinity of which, most of his service to his country was performed. On the 7th of July, he was engaged in the battle of Bloody Bridge, on John’s Island, where the valiant 26th charged over an open space of half a mile, under a severe fire, losing in a few minutes 97 of its number; but gave not up the dangerous and fruitless assault until a retreat was ordered from the rear. We believe this was the only battle in which he was engaged, except the one on Graham’s Neck about 30 miles from Beaufort where he lost his life. His body was brought from the battle field and buried at the headquarters. There he now rests freed from the hardships and dangers of war. His ear will no more hear the thrill notes of the war bugle summoning the warrior to the bloody strife. Let him sleep and rest till the trump of God shall wake him from the dead.
As a soldier he was faithful and brave. A comrad[e] writes ‘he was a brave man in the field.’ His Capt., writes, ‘Edward was one of my best soldiers, and his loss grieves me much.’
His Christian life is equally commended by his comrad[e]s in arms.”
Obituary of Edward Sorrell, Dryden Weekly News, July 15, 1865, 3.