Obits: STIFF, Robert E., 1896: Luzerne Co, PA

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THE WEEKLY STAR, Thursday, June 23, 1896
(weekly newspaper of Plymouth Twp., Luzerne County, Pa.)

IN MEMORIAM
ROBERT E. STIFF
   Our comrade died of paralysis Jan. 14, and at his decease was 56 years, 
11 months, and 6 days old.  He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania.   
When six months old his parents removed to England.  His mother died there, 
and his uncle adopting him, he returned with them at the age of six years, 
again to the United States.  He lived with Vastine BOONE, below Bloomsburg, 
for 7 years, then at Mt. Pleasant with James BOONE.  Afterwards he made his 
home below Catawissa with his sister, Mrs David EVANS.  He was working in the 
Danville Rolling Mills when the war broke out.  He first enlisted in 8th Cavalry 
and then re-enlisted  Co. F., 12th Regiment Volunteer Cavalry as a private.  
He was at the battle Bristow Station, Aug 22, 1862, Manassas, 1862; South Mountain, 
1862 and Antietam 1862.  In 1863 at the battles and skirmishes at Strasburg, 
Jane Lieu, Winchester, McConnellsburg, Pa., and Tomahawk.  In - 1863 at 
Maryland Line 200 cavalry captured 648 prisoners, 550 horses and mules, 3 
brass 12 pounders, 125 wagons without the loss of a man.  In 1864 he 
participated in the battle of Boliver, Frederick City, Monococy Bridge, 
Winchester and Charlestown.  He was the last man to cross the Potomac in 
July 1864, when driven back, the shells for Fort Duncan having cut the end of 
the poutoon bridge loose from Harper's Ferry.
  The longest ride he had on one feed was from Harper's Ferry to Cedar Creek, 
just before the battle of Cedar Creek.  Just before the battle of Gettysburg 
the whole regiment was captured, except 200 troopers with General MELROY, who 
cut their way out of Point of Rocks to Chambersburg.  They went right into 
Gettysburg and were present at Gettysburg at the time of the battle.
   In the battle against the advancing lines of the Confederates our comrade 
had a horse shot under him, as he was crossing the stone wall that separated 
the opposing forces.  He fell under his horse.  A shell from the confederate 
batteries struck the wall, the debris blinded his eyes, and wounded him, 
leaving him badly ruptured, bleeding and unconscious.  When he came to 
consciousness, he found himself in the Hagerstown Hospital, with the 
Hagerstown physicians ministering to him, and some kind friend volunteering 
as nurse.
   Thus by a kind Providence and by the ministry of human hands and love he 
lived to return home, and tell the story of his perils and conflicts.
   He did not enter life without first seeking the shelter of the wings of 
the Almighty.  When a young man 17 or 18 years of age, he confessed faith in 
Christ as his Saviour, guide and helper in the M.E. Church, Light Street, 
Columbia County.
   The influence of the army is not elevating but detrimental often to earnest 
Christain life.  And so it proved for a time with Conrade STIFF.  One day 
after a long and tiresome ride, they came into camp, and Conrade STIFF taking 
the saddle of his horse flung it into the tent, and lay down to rest; just 
then the bugles sounded out "boots and saddles," which meant that every man 
should saddle his horse and mount ready for service.  Wearied beyond 
expression, our brother uttered an oath.  The Sergeant, who tented with him, 
said, "What good is it to swear?  If we are ordered out to Londen County to 
meet Mosely's Guerrillas and you were killed instantly, what would become of 
you?  "I would go to peredition, as sure as the world."  "Not so with me,"  
said the sergeant, "If I were killed, it would be sudden death but instant 
glory."
   In relating these incidents of his life to me a year ago, Comrade STIFF 
remarked.  "That ended my swearing.  I never uttered another oath after that 
rebuke, and I tried after that day to live a consistent christain life."
   We mention this incident not to disparage our brother's noble life; but 
to show how often a timely word of reproof brings a careless brother back to 
the paths of duty and to earnest christain living.
   He was honorably discharged July 20, 1865.
   He married Miss Harriet MAJOR, Dec. 25, 1865.  Three children were born to 
this union, George and Ella, (Mrs. MARKS), and Elvina, deceased.
   When he returned from the war he joined the M.E. Church of Plymouth.  He 
attended the Franklin street P.M. Church it being more convenient.
   Sober, honest, upright, industrious, his life was well lived, and his 
end to fall asleep in Jesus.  He said to me a year ago, when I visited him, 
with tears of gratitude in his eyes, "The Lord was always with me.  He 
raised me up friends when in my youth my mother was taken from me ; He 
preserved me in the battles and skirmishes of the late war; and has kept me 
to this day."  We can say of him as of our great national hero.  "Life's 
race well run; life's work well done; now come rest."