Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-19
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

with feeling of poignant regret that we an
nounce the decease of the gallant soldier and
sterling statesman whose name heads this para
yrapb. The telegraph informs US that the sad
event took place yesterday, at his home, near
Natchez, Mississippi, where he has been lying
very low for several days past. The disease
which caused his death was the 'tNational
Hotel epidemic which it will be remembered
occurred in this city some eighteen months ago,
and resulted fatally to n number Of those who
were at the time stopping at that house.
good constitution and excellent medical advice
prevented the disease from immediate fatal re-
suits in the case of Gen. O., but he has ever
since suffered from it, more or less acutely, and
the debiiitation thus produced has gradually
gained upon his physical powers, until for sew
eral days past he has been lying at the point of
death, and his vital energy has finally sue
cumbed to the destroying influence. In losing
him, the country loses man of strict integrity
and high moral principle, a soldier of undoubt-
ed courage and ability, and statesman to
whom even his enemies accord answering hon.
esty of purpose and true nobility.
Gen. z. was born, in 1884, IN Dutchess coun-
ty, n. Y, where his father was pastor of a
Dutch Reformed church. Slavery existed in
that State throughout his youth and as he
immigrated to Mississippi in early manhood,
his remark that he never lived in any other
than slave State was entirely correct. He
became planter in Mississippi but that did
not prevent his becoming a somewhat promi-
nent politician. He joined in tie sup
port of Gen. Jackson for President, but aban-
doned him with Mr.. Calhoun, and was for
years known as a State Rights Wing" AS
such he supported Gen. Harrison in 1910
When Mr. Calhoun returned to the Democracy
he was accompanied by Gen. Q. The latter
shrunk, however, from following his party into
the gulf of reputation, and was once run for
high post on the bOnd-paying Democratic
ticket, which had few supporters. But though
repeatedly defeated as a candidate for Office,
Gen. Q. was steadily growing in the esteem
and confidence of his llow-citizens.
In 1861 he volunteered for the Mexican
war and was appointed by President Polk a
major-general. In this capacity he was prom
inently engaged in most or all of the sanguin.
airy actions which Immediately preceded the
capture of the Mexican capital, of which, after
its surrender, he was made governor Though
widely differing in their political views, he
loved and honored his superior, Gen. Scott, by
whom his confidence was fully reciprocated.
Returning to Mississippi Gen. Quitman de-
voted his time to his family, his plantation,
and the construction of railroad, until nomi-
mated for Congress in 1855, when, after a spirit
ed canvass, he was elected by about two thou
sand majority. Repairing duly to Washington,
he, though new member and one of the most
ultra Nebraska men, was designated by Speak
er Banks, whose election he had opposed to the
last, for the important post of Chairman of the
Committee on Military Affairs, a post of which
he discharged the duties with eminent ability.
He was reelected last fall without opposition,
and of course continued by Speaker Orr in the
post assigned him by political antagonist
His death will of course yacate a seat in the
House, and the craftsmanship Of the committee.
Gen ouitman was but moderately fluent as
debater, but always spoke tersely and to the
point He was quiet and unassuming in man.
ner, and universally esteemed by those who
him
RAMBLEs IN THE SOUTH, AND NOTES OF
TRAVEL THROUGH VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE,
GEORGIA, ALABAMA, &c.
Correspondence of The Sfarl
MEMPHIs, Tenn. July Q, 1855
Look at the head of this letter, and then saw
am not traveller Two DAYS ago wrote Won
fiom the Montgomery White Sui, hur Springs
Va, and in the afternoon of the same day, about
O'Clock, took the cars Of the Virginia and Ten
nessee railroad, and about the same hour TODAY
arrived here. During my hurried trip made
voluminous notes. from which propose hereaf-
ter to extract, but must satisfy myself now with
simple sketch.
ardent admireF Of fine scenery, and don't think
/ ever before enjoyed rich feast of the sinh.
lime and beautiful in nature
The scenery along New River, where for miles
the rail- winds along the mountain sides with the
beautiful and placid stream the one side and
the towering cliffs on the other, leaving but a
narrow strip between the two, on which The iron
track is laid. III time and space would allow
might enter fully upon description Of this re-
glon; but i shall he compelled TO forepo that
pleasure until some future day.
enjoyed this portion Of the trip til, after pass.
ing Wytheville, night threw an inky pail over
and shut out the scene. There Were tn rec cars
fun OF passengers, and you may Judge whether 4
am an enthusiast when / inform you that not one
expressed less admiration than myself
The running time made by the cars was abou,
twPnty-hve 10 thirty miles per hour.
AT Christidnsbnrg some of my feliow-travelers
tarIied TO visit the Yellow Sulphur Springs, about
stopped TO go out to the GraysOn Sui phur SPRINGS
distant seventeen miles. With these exceptions
all, believe, came through-some TO Dalton
others TO Nashville, and others to this nIace
think the memoranda have made of the line
would be source of information and interest, n
could write IL all out, as took particular pain,
| to make every inquiry that could throw light or
the routes Of travel, and, though am sure I an
| peared very inquisitive, and must have created
| the impression that was Yankee, vet I me
| witha degree Of politeness which convinced m,
that II was pleasure to the di fferent genticmpJ
| from whom received information, to answer al
my questions; and really regard this as a higl
| recommendation Of the route
| Being walked up at Bristol, / stepped from In,
cars OF the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad q
those OF the East Tennessee aud Viryinia an,
| before they started was again sleeping soundlv
| aud did not wake till a few moments b,fo}
reaching GIeenville in Tennessee, the Location
| of the breakfast house.
| Along the East Tennessee and Virginia r all
| way the scenery is varied There is not tina
awful sublimity about IL which you lind upo,
the Virginia and Tennessee, and yet, In som
localities 1t Is really enchanting, and PARTICULAR
| Is II so upon the lower Holston where river Am;
| unity. " "'e P''A
From Greenville there is line of Stacey rr,