Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-27
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
A GEOGRAPHIC SKETCH OF
AR MlSIEA AID II GO Nom

4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
AKMlSTEAD T.. 3taSON.
An undertaking arduous In itself re-
quires To Ills conduct and success, ability
To plan aud assiduiIy Ia execaic. Scnsi-
bic of the dlfhc ulty with WHICH tuiogy and
panegyric, however merited, are properly
bestowed. and of the diffidence and dis
trust with which they are received,
have entered OIL the task of speaking on
the merits Of Mason, with more rcllauce
on the strength of his own worth, than
IN my ability 20 portray it. know that
: iers of his friends are more competent
to the enumeration and display OF his
merii than am, and this humble effort is
intended only 10 elicit II more mas
tcrly portrait Of his character from ADLER
and solder pencils. To rescue from The
grave, where The body is entombed, those
virtues that adorned and dignitied the
person who possessed them, Is duty we
owe 10 the dead. and service we perform
to the living. That just fame which is
won by merit is the last best gift we have
the power 10 bestow on the former, and
thestrOngesi possible incentive TO noble
emulation in the latter. The writer fat
ters himself that however feeble lie may
be IN the execution of his subject, he has
been happy IN its choice: Happy too i'm
the era his efforts are displayed. Taciius
had said III his life of Agricola, that vir-
tue is held in the highest estimation;
when II f1ouriSlies in The greatest abuI-
Dance pirt4teS iisdem femporibHs optime
estin,a"tnr. qui6ns faliime gignuntur.
General Armistead Thompson Mason
when he fell, Was aged about 81 wears.
The causes that produced this distressing
calamity may hereafter be examined with
an accuracy and candor, HAT shall fear
and deserve no contradiction. AT. Ma
son had received the best education iIls
country could besiow. Whilst al The Col
tege Of VIM. aud Mary, he acquired re-
puiation Tor talents, which was rising 10 a
climax, as his faculties were developing.
On public occasion, he there deliver
ed speeci, on The subject of universal
suffrage, Which enlisted undivided an
p'ause, was published at the request of
The professors, and long circulated AZ a
specimen Of era,ory. He possessed in a
most eminent degree the confidence and
affection Of his fellow siudenls-a popu-
iarlty never procured but by merit-a
popularity no envy could eclipse. no fac
ii'Ious Importance could arqnire--a po-
puiaTiiy that was afterwards transferred
from The boys OF his college 10 the sage,
OF his country, and extended With the
extension OF the orbit in which he reyolv-
ed-a popularity he meriied for his Ia
leh's, Ills PATRIOTISM, his services; but.
above all, Tor the goodness of his heart,
that was seen by the kpry tIIa, beamed
III hIseye, that carried confidence 10 ev-
cry bosom, and aroused the spirit of
philanthropy in tile most phlegmatic OF
pIeu.
Soon after the completion of his edu-
cation, and HIS return 10 Loudouu. the
county of his nativity, he was appointed
10 The command of troop OF cavalry.
without regard To- The preieiIsions at 9th
ers, superior TO his own in point Of SEMI
orlty. Then il was that those energies
that shone so cOnspicuously dnrmg the
iafe war began TO appear. Mason took
unusual delight III the profession of a
soldier: Ills men were peculiarly devof.
ed 10 him az il vas highly pleasing
10 SEE him arranging their columns, even
on The most ordinary occasions. His
example inspired his companions will,
taste Tor lie science Of arms. lie often
distributed amongst them the NEST val,,-
able books OF tactics, al his owne xpence.
and, III repeated military harangues. ex-
borted them 10 tie performance Of those
dulles they owed To themselves and their
country. Mason did moi long remain
captain Ofile troop Tie voice OF his conu-
Try called him, al The age of %, 10 the
command Of "a regiment, without having
hlled The intermediate grade Of The ma
JoTIiy, which enabled him 10 employ his
talents on greater theatre, and which
he did most successfully. 4
When war ia 1912 was declared by The
u. against Great Britain. Mason was in
The FIRST rcqnsliou 10 defend tie coast
OF Virginia. Inspired by the vigor Of his
example, and full confidence in the
safely of his conduct, he soldiers of lis
regiment display ed perseverance, aud
aiacrIiy truil exemplary. Ills chivalrous
zeal, and soldier-llke frankness. united
to his great knowledge Of tactics, Sc
cured 10 lIiu repmla'ioB in the army
Which will long be tie boast Of Virginia.
Ills companions IN arms were devoted To
his person, and the gratitude Of their
heart will loDy induce them 10 vcncrafe
his name aud TO cherish lis memory.
Ills was the post OF danger, and theirs
Tie confidence of security, whilst he oc-
cupled II. The discipline fhis camp, tic
zeal which he brcaihed into his men, his
seltssommand and presence of mind on
Tue mosi trying and perilous occasions,
Iansht Tie euemy, the dulles of caution |
ana iorbearancc. Sailors, who deserieh
"a shoals FROM lie Gerl Of ilie Zoe, re-. |