Obituary: Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, The Raleigh Register, 24 Sept. 1862

              BRIGADIER GENERAL BRANCH.
	This community was greatly excited on Sunday morning by intelligence received from Richmond by telegraph, that Gen. Branch was reported to have been killed in one of the late battles near Frederick City.  While all feared that the report was true, as it was well known that his Brigade had been in the thickest of the late fights, all hoped that it might not be true, and that at the worst he was badly wounded.  This feeling was entertained until the arrival of the afternoon train from the North, bringing with it copies of an Extra Richmond Enquirer, dated Sunday morning, in which it was stated that Gen. Branch, together with Gens. Stark and Manning, had been killed in the battle of Wednesday.  This intelligence, of course, dispelled all hope, and General B.�s venerable father-in-law was on Sunday night actually engaged in making arrangements for bringing the remains of Gen. B. to their last resting place, when, at nine o�clock at night, the following dispatch was received from Richmond:
	�An Aid to A. P. Hill says that Branch was not hurt as late as Thursday evening when he left.							W. B. RODMAN.�
	The effect of this news may be well imagined.  The anguish of wife and children and the grief of afflicted friends were at once turned to joy and thanksgiving that a life valuable to so many was yet spared.  We have never seen warmer sympathy elicited for any family than was evinced by this community towards that of Gen. Branch in the bereavement it was believed to have sustained.
	P.S. Since the above was in type, news by telegraph has been received which confirms the first report of General Branch�s death, a dispatch having been received on Monday afternoon from Major Engelhard, the Quartermaster of Gen. Branch�s brigade, stating that he was killed in the battle of Wednesday, and that his remains, in charge of Major E., would reach this city on Thursday.  We have neither heart nor space to describe, if we could, the effect of these sad tidings upon the bereaved family of the gallant officer, who, after a brief, but truly glorious career, has, with his blood on the battlefield, sealed his devotion to his country.
	The tidings of Gen. Branch�s death will be sorrowfully received throughout the State and the Confederacy, in both of which he was well known, either personally or by reputation.  Since his return to his native State from Florida, Gen. Branch has filled, with great credit, the position of President of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad Company, Representative in the old Congress from this District, and Brigadier General in the army of the Confederate States of America.  His character as a gentleman was marked by the strictest integrity, and an amiability of temper which secured to him the warmest and most devoted friends.  He fell in the prime of his life and usefulness, a martyr to the cause of liberty.