Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-03-17
VOL. 4-.-N0. 191.
DAILY VIRGINIAN.
Death of a Gallant Man.


w. ii. IL. Patterson,a native OF Augusta coun-
ty, w. and for many years u resident Of Char
leston died nt Columbus. Miss, on the 9th ult
lIe left Charleston to take part in the Texan
struggle for independence. He arrived there too
late, however, and took up his residence in Mis-
sissippi.
When tho Mexican war broke out he volunteer
ed as a private in tho 1st Mississippi regiment.
and was promoted to first lieutenancy. Atthe
battlo of Monterey tho Mississippi regiment was
tho most distinguished. and of that regiment the
company that crowned itself with most glory was
tho one under tho command of Lieut.. Patterson.
Tho first man who entered the breach at Monte
ry was the celebrated Col. McClung OF Misslssp-
pi tho next to follow him was his intimate friend
and rival for fame, Lieut. Patterson who on two
occasion that day. saved the life OF his distin-
guished loader. At dusk the dny of battle as
tho troops were gathering. in il was ascertalned
that Col. MoClung was missing, and Suspicion
was entertained that he lay wounded within the
enemies lines The commanding officer demanded
to know which of the soldiers would volunteer
to bring in the body of Col. MoClung lmme-
diutey Lieut.. Patterson and three others voinn-
ieered their services aud in hand to hand con-
iliot. fought their way to where their chief lay,
aud brought safely back to their comrades the
bleeding body Of McClung. The term for which
tho Mississippi regiment was enlisted expired
few days after tho battle Of Monterey. The
nipnL UeIorp tho oHlCcTb anu Iith Weiu w w
their homeward mnrch, difficulty upon point
of military etiquette occurred between Lieut.
Patterson and the officer Of tho day, which re-
suited in IA collision, in which Patterson was shot
through the thigh so badly as to require the am
putation of his leg. To show how endeared the
! deceased was to every member Of his regiment
every officer Of that regiment, in succession,
challenged the officer under whose orders Pat
terson had been wounded; but the challenge was
not accepted, and the officer left the city in dis
grace.
After the war. Lieut.. Patterson returned to
| Nirginia, where his friends presented him with
magnificent sword. lle afterwards went to MIS-
sissippi, became sheriff of Lowndes county, anu
died in his 37th year
Devotion or A WIrE.-One Of tho most re-
makabo instances record of the unfaltering
devotion of wife 10 her husband,u under the most
trying and dreadful circumstances, is given in
the history of the Monroe tragedy, in Coles CO.,
Illinois. A. +. Monroe killed his father-in-aw,
= Ellington, in fight, in which Ellington
struck tho first blow. Public opinion was so
savage against Monroe that the Court, and even
the attorneys for the defence were overawed, ana
n change of venue, which was begged ny the
prisoner, was obtained. Tho attorney OF Mon
roe feared to apply for'it experimenting murder,
Gus designs ON the part of the people The trial
proceeded and tho jury did not dare 70 find the
prisoner guilty Of anything but murder IN tho
| first degree, and no was sentenced to be hanged.
The Governor, impressed that something was
wrong in the case granted respite of ninety
days, and the mob broke into the Jail and drag
god Monroe out and hung him. Amid all this
terrible storm ofinfuriated public opinion though
! his wife's father was the victim in whose name
the cry for vengeance was raised, and he had
been n fast man, having drank hard. and kept
bad company Monroe retained tho love OF his
"Nannic" to the last. When he had been mur-
dered by tho mob, she begged for his remains,
and had then transported to a burial place, few
miles above Newport, on the Licking river, and
there with her child in her arms, stood the only
mourner by his grave
Tho following is copy Of letter written by
Mrs Monroe to her husband whilo he was under
sentence of death for the murder OF her father,
and few days before he was hung by the mob:
CHARLESTON, Feb. IL, 1856.
My EVER DEAR HusBAND:-Ilow miserable
you must be. My very heart aches for you. L
have not given up yet still have hope. am
now at Mr.. Balls with Pole and May. Pole has
been brother to me and u true friend to you -
intend to make his home my home. wherever
that may bel hope good ways from here
the farther from here the better. would rather
die to night than to.stay here among my enemies
for those who are your enemies are mine, and
your friends my friends.
As soon as can make arrangements, and get
the means will leave this town, never to re-
turn again. May is well. Farewell, but hope
not forever.
| subscribe my self your true and devoted wife,
MAMIE MONROE.
g.,J In ~