Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-31
OBITUARY.

Inc Spectator is IN mourning as marx OF
respect for the memory of its founder, GEN l..
KENTON HARPER-am most conspicuous and
valued citizen of Augusta, who died at his
home, ss"Glen Allen on Christmas evening
the 25th inst, aged sixty-six years.
Our limited space this week permits only a
passing sketch of the more prominent events
serving to illustrate his civil and military life
1t must suffice to say that in all the particular
pertaining to the various and responsible Office
of Magistrate of the county, Mayor and Magis
trate of Staunton, President of the Valley Bank
Visitor of the State Institutions, and Represen
tative of Augusta in the Legislature of Virginia
he discharged faithfully, efficiently and pune
tiliousy his whole duty
KENToN HARPER was born in Chambers
burg, Pa, and soon after coming of age, settled
in Staunton. Born Of the same stock as the
early settlers of Augusta he naturally assimi
lated with her people, and manifested through
Life full sympathy in all their sentiments, and
an ardent zeal in advancing all their interests.
In 1923 he established the "Stdunton Spec
tator" and continuously for sixteen years con
Quoted it with such signal spirit and high toned
dignity as to win for it a character and reputa
ton of which the people of Augusta were justly
proud.
Soon after leaving the editorial Office he was
without solicitation on his part-seected and
appointed under President Fillmore, as United
States agent to the Indian Territory. In this
capacity he was distinguished for stainless in
tegrity and high administrative talent Sub
sequently he held the position, under the same
administration, of confidential Assistant to the
Secretary of the Interior-Hon A. H. H. Stu
art-and was designated for many duties of
special trust and confidence At the end of his
official term he returned to his farm-'Gler
Allen" as his home for the remainder of his
days.
The chivalrous nature and patriotic spirit of
Gen. Harper marked him for military life, but
with this his ever delicate health seriously In
terfered. In the war with Mexico he was Cap
tain OF the Volunteer company from Augusta
and during the campaign of the Virginia Regi
ment, his soldierly demeanor was SO marked
that Gen. Wool of the U. S. Army selected
him over many officers of higher rank, both ii
the regular and volunteer service, and appointed
him to Military Governorship in Northern
Mexico, with Brigadier Generals command
lie was officially commended for the manner il
Which ne filled that most responsible position
In 1861 he was Major General of the Va.
Militia, and instantly upon the secession of hi.
State, on authority by telegraph from Cover
nor Letcher, he took the field and with only a
hurried passing farewell to his family, marched
10 Harper Ferry, captured that all important
post, accomplished the removal of invaluable
ordnance stores and machinery from that ex
posed point and secured its use for his other
wise almost unarmed Virginia His friend,
have felt that full justice was never done Gen
eral Harper for this timely and efficient service.
There exists documentary evidence for the as
sertlon that the successful removal of the ma
chinery and munitions of war from Harper
Ferry to safety In the interior of Virginia, and
the efficient organization, subsistence and equip
ment of the volunteer troops so hastily gather
ing there, was under most peculiar difficulties.
que to the energy, skill, and sagacity of Gen
S"A AANhCOu 1Idrper.
When the Militia was superseded bv the Vol
unteer system Gen. Harper accepted the posi-
ton OF Colonel of the 5th Va. Infantry Hi
command most gallantly met and checked the
advance OF Patterson's army at Falling Waters
that brilliant opening to the long series of bat
ties that nave since made historic the Valley Of
Virginia.
AT the first battle of Manassas he led his oal
liant reglment-and that he did his dutv there
may well be inferred from the fact that II
his immediate presence occurred that eve,
memorable incident now become immortal
When-according to Col. Harpers own yer.
sion OF 1t to the writer-just at that criti
cal point in the battle as the brave Genera,
Bee rallying his own wavering ranks an.
preached Jackson's still firm lines, Col. Har.
persaluted him, as if for orders, and to Bee in
qulry as to ''What troops are these ?"-repled
The lst Va, Brigade-General jackson So
Whereupon the chivalrous South Carolinian,
instantly wheeling his horse and rising in his
stirrups shouted forth upon the field his now
successful rallying call "RaIy heret Look
hoao these Virginaans stand like u ,Stoneagau!''
Being refused even brief furlough to visit
his dying wife, he resigned his commission and