The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-09-04
Cen. John II. Floyd.

1 Gen. John B. Floyd.
! We copy the following short biography o
the late Gen. J. B. Floyd, from the Lynch
burg Republican:
| For long period previous to the presen
war Gen. Floyd held prominent places in tn
councils both of his State and country. Re
peatedly elected to the Legislature from
Washington county, he, in that body, won 81
much distinction for ability and talent as t.
point him out TO his fellow members as Fl
person to wear the Gubernatorial honors O
his native State. He was accordingly elected
4 Governor, and the anticipations of his friends
as to his fitness for the Office were more thar
realized in the brilliant and successful man
ner with which his administration was con
Quoted. Upon the election of Mr.. Buchanan
to the Presidency of the late United States
| Gen. FLOYD was called to a seat in his Cabi
net, with the portfolio of Secretary of War,
and in this position, he earned for himself
/ laurels which will never fade. With pro-
phetic vision he foresaw the storm, which
though only then heard at times In distant
mutterings, ere long burst upon the South.
with all the terrific force of Yankee hate and
malignity. In preparation for this event he
| 50 distributed the arms and ammunition be-
longing to his department, that at the break
ing out of the war the South was enabled to
enter the field far better prepared than she
| would otherwise have been, and to cope with
her enemies upon something like equal terms
as far as regarded munitions Of war. In do
ing this act of justice to the south Gen. Floyd
incurred the undying hate of the entire Yam
kee nation, while on the other hand the
Southern people expressed their lasting graft
tude to the far seeing Statesman, for his
patriotic act by which they were SO largely
benefited.
At the breaking out Of the war, General
Floyd raised a brigade and with it operated
IN Western Virginia, where, though opposed
by far superior forces, commanded by veteran
and distinguished officers, he conducted an
eminently brilliant campaign, and showed
that he was General of no mean abilities
At Cross Lanes, and Ut Carnifax Ferry, he
met and repulsed the enemy with heavy loss,
and in many engagements Of less magnitude
he was almost invariably successful. His he
roic defence Of Fort Donelson, though una
vailing to prevent its capture. added imper-
ishable laurels to his brow, and will be re-
corded on one Of the brightest pages of our
history.
Returning to Virginia after the fall Of the
Fort, in a short time he was called by the
unanimous voice of the Legislature to the
command of the Virginia State Line" whose
field of operations was chiefly on the western
borders of the State. Here again we find in
him all thuse qualities which go to make up
the great commander, and whose exercise re-
suited in mush good to our cause. An ex-
tensiye frontier was protected from invasion
by the enemy, and repeated successful incur
sions were made into their own territory. In
short time, however. it was found necessary
to disband the command, and for several
months General Floyd had retired from active
life to the enjoyment of that rest and quiet he
SO much needed after his active and stirring
career. Here in his home, the
friends he loved so ell.-Death, ever in search
of shining mark, found him and terminated
his long and useful life, all too soon for his
country, but not until the measure of his fame
was full.
Eminent alike in the Field, the Cabinet
and the Forum, j. B. Floyd's name will pass
down IN history side by side with the most
distinguished Of the benefactors of his kind
and country; and well may our people ex-
claim as they pause to weep over his new
made grave, Here lies the Heroic Patriot
the Soldier-Statesman, whose place no one can
fill. ~.