The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-12
The Lamentei Governor Yell.
FAYETTEVILLE, Tennessee,
April 80, 1917.
To me Editor of the Union.

DEAR SIR In your remarks in the Semi Weekly Union,
Oh he 23d nst preceding the article from the Harrisburg
tPa) Argus, ''The memory of Governor YELL of Arkan-
sas, you say, 'A the age of seventeen he Gov fell)
served as subaten (ensgn) in the Tennessee troops
under the command OF Gen. Jackson" In this you are
right but The military service of Gov Yell commenced at
much earlier age. in 1914 he lived in Bedford county
IN tins State Then about fifteen years of age, he von
eered and through least part of the Greek cam
patgn, under Gen. jackson was at the taking of PEN
sacoa; and it also his fortune, with two elder
brothers, and one botherin law, if more to partci.
pate IN that masterstroke OF policy which showed, in
pre- eminent degree the military character of Gen
The attack upon the British the night OF the 23d De
cember ISIS and also to be of those neverto befor
gotten, gratefully be remembered heroes,
who saved the beauty and booty Of the Crescent City, and
won for their county impershable honors the
memorable and glorious sh OF January, ISIS. These
We're the services OF Archibald Yell before he had attain
ed his 10th year think he was lieutenant in the
Seminole campaign of lsl7-'ls. He finally fell, "gat-
anuy leda,ng hS regiment at Brena pista"-he bloody
battle. Archibald Yell was emphaically one of his
country's defenders. His friends and acquaintance
weep Tor his loss. and every patriot in the land, from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific from the 49th deg TO the Goth deg
OF north latitude, should mourn bis fail
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
This statement is confirmed, and full credit given
10 the heroic YELL by the following tribute in the "Lttle
Rock tArkansas) Banner" Of the Dist ult;
OBITUARY OF COL YELL.-Having heretofore announ
ced to readers the painful intelligence of the fall of
Col Yell at the battle of Buena Vista, gratitude enjons
upon us the further duty OF paying an humble tribute to
his memory by way of obituary True, he needs no ei-
logy We expect to add single ray the bright
ness of his fame to endear him closely TO the hearts
of his countrymen, nor to dry single tear which those
who knew him and loved HIM will weep at the remem-
brance OF his fae still we will iorbear not to record our
humble testimony to his worth, and express deep
sense of his loss.
Colonel Yell born of highly respectable parents, in
the State OF kentuckyhe birth place OF many gallant
and noble hean-in the year 1897. When quite young,
his father emigraed to Rutherford county, Tennessee
then comparatively a wilderness country but rapidly
filing up with hardy pioneers from neghborng States
we know but little of Colonel Yes history the presump-
ton Is however from the newness OF the country that
his opportunities Of education mited-that he, like
many other western boys who have subsequently won
for themselves name and place in the ranks OF fame,
was during that period of his early life principally
gagged with his father IN the pursuit OF agriculture He
was not destined however, long TO remain in obscury.
The aggressons of England made 1t necessary for their
sons to defend and maintain, by second war; the ber.
y and national rights which brave forefathers had
secured by the war OF the revolution. requison was
made upon Tennessee for troops and Colonel Yell at
the tender age OF sixteen, like many other gallant spirits,
enlisted at the call OF his country and rushed to the side
OF the immortal Jackson After assisting in the taking
of Pensacola, he accompanied his brigade 10 New Or
leans. And there on the memorable EIGHTH, he
distinguished himself for bravery and patriotism, We
are informed by one who bore gallant part with him,
that at the time the battle came on, Colonel Yell was
very unwe and advised not TO endanger his health
by engaging in it but his reply was, that he had left
So, and he made good his word by entering into the
gagement and demeaning himself most bravely
Our army victorious! Peace followed and the
young soldier returned TO his home He then devoted
his time to the acquisition of an education until the year
1915 when the Hero of New Orleans called for volun
teers for the Seminole war and Col Yell among the
first to offer his services He raised company and was
chosen captain; but his company not being full, IT was
attached to another, and he made first lieutenant 1t
was said of him. by who knew his bearing during the
Seminole campaign, ''that wherever the fight was hot
test and the danger greatest, there he was" The cain
pagn over, after spending two years at Greenve Col
ege, he studied the law with William Glchrst, then OF
Shelbyvile, Tennessee, and since OF tins State,
In the year 1927 he was returned to the Legislature OF
Tennessee, and was prominent and useful member; In
the year 1892 under appointment by General jackson
as receiver OF public moneys, he removed TO Arkansas
which Office he filled with fidelity for some hme when,
his health failing, he resigned and returned to Tennessee
General Jackson however, having formed an attachment
for him, and having high opinion OF his tai
ent and integrity, not long after his return to Tennes.
see, appointed him Judge Of one OF the district courts OF
the then Territory OF Arkansas, and he removed again to
his new home and entered upon the discharge of his du
ties
As Judge he looked more to the administration of sub
stanal Justice than the observance of artificial technical
tiles and his quckness to perceive the right detect the
wrong and the fImness and importantly with which he
administered the law won for him a permanent and an
enyable reputation as urist and endeared him to the
people among whom he presided In this station he con-
tinued until the formation of our State constitution and
our admission into the Union, when, by large ma
ority of the people, he was returned as delegate to
Congress As member of Congress he faithful,
vgant, watchu of the interest of his constituents, and
was prominent in the advocacy of those great measures
of his party which he believed calculated to promote tine
prosperity and happiness of the Union. The people of
the State well pleased with his services in Congress- con-
nued him there until 1912, when, at the solicitation OF
his party he consented to become candidate for gov
ernor, and elected by large majority of the people
of the State to that Office AS the chief magistrate OF our
young State he used every exerlon to cause by whole
some legislation the development of her resources, and
the promotion of policy calculated to advance her pros
pery, and increase the wealth. advance the institutions
and the happiness OF our people lie discoun-
enanced the wild schemes of speculation into which our
own as well as most of the States had unfortunately run,
and endeavored impress upon the Legislature by his
messages, and in his intercourse with the MEMBERS hal
the people of the State should look Tor increase OF
wealth and prosperity to development of the asrcu-
ural resources of the country rather than TO specna
TONS upon borrowed capital, by banking or otherwise.
Ardently devoted 10 the principles protested By his
party and ready to devote the energies of his vgor-
mind to their maintenance at the earnest solicitations
of his political friends he resigned the office OF governor
in the spring of lsit, and accepted nomination for Con-
gress His triumphant election proved his popularity IN
the State, and the zeal and ability with which he acted
the part in the OF 1914 which his party had as
signed to him.
In Congress he became of the prominent advocates
of the admission of Texas into the Union as he had been
in the canvass, and among the boldes in asserting
our lust rights TO the Oregon territory lie was among
the last and reliable friends OF the administration, and
was honored in high degree with the confidence OF the
President
When the news reached Washington that the Mexl-
cans had dared to the Rio Grande and spill the
blood of our citizens upon their SOIL he among
the most active in bringing forward measures TO place the
men and means under the control OF the gallant Taylor
and his comrades drive them from SOIL and punish
their insoence He was for vigorous prosecution oil
the war, and for carrying 1t into Afnod!
And although he had passed into the "see and yeiow
leaf" of life the ardor of his youth rekindled he
quilted the ease and emolumens OF seat in Congress-