The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-10
DEATH OF MAJOR n. A. sTURDI.
WANT


ness.
Major Sturdivant was born in Peters
burg, and ct the time of his death was
thirty-four years of age. Early in life he |
commenced as mechanic, but soon, by
the force of his own superior intellect
and great perseverance, he acquired
self-endowed education sufficient to enable |
him to enter upon the practice of medicine.
Seventeen years ago he came to this city
and studied law by himself. He became
prominent as temperance lecturer, and
edited very able temperance paper. As
speaker in the cause of temperance he
had the reputation of being without his
equal in the Old Dominion. At the break
ing out Of the war he was practicing lawyer
here of high standing, having won his way
to great eminence in his profession. He
ran for Commonwealth attorney, but was
defeated by Littleton Tazewell. He went
to work in 1861 and raised an artillery
company. He was elected captain, and
served with great distinction, and was pro-
noted for conspicuous gallantry OF the
battle of the Crater. Here he was taken
prisoner by colored troops; and consider
able apprehension was felt concerning his
fate, his friends having heard that he had
been murdered by his sable captors. He
remained in prison until August, 1864,
when he was exchanged. lie then reSn
tered the service, and served with continued
gallantry until the surrender, when he had
in his possession his commission as colonel
of artillery. After the close of the war
he was elected Mayor of the city, but in
consequence Of the action of General Terry
he was prevented from taking his seat. He
was subsequently elected Commonwealth
attorney: which position he held up to the
time of his removal by the military. In
the practice of law since the war he was
associated with A. NJ. Kelley, Esq, who
was an intimate and warm friend Of his.
In the death of Major Sturdivant We
have lost an eminent member of one of the
most honorable professions, o useful mem
Der of society, and one of the best Of men.
As a lawyer, he was shrewd, quick, and
possessed of great power and clcarness of
intellect. In his pleadings as the repre-
sentative of the Commonwealth he evinced
an unerring sense of justice on all sides,
and his prosecutions were correct and forcl-
Bile. The manner in which he won his way
from poor, self-taught boy to the position
he occupied is an evidence that he was a
man of more than ordinary calibre. As
man, Majo Sturdivant was true, genial,
sincere, candid, and possessed Of the
strictest sense of honor. His warm and
sympathizing nature, his great fidelity as
friend, his pleasant and genial manners,
and his honorable bearing, made him one
of the most popular men in Richmond;
and there arc few men among us who would
tc hi 1y
for than Major n. \. Sturliyant.
We give below the proceedings Of the
bar in tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased:
MEETING OF TIE BAR.
The members of the Richmond bar met
at the City Hall at II o'clock.
On motion of Major Francis P. Turner,
William II. mcfarland, Esq, was called to
the chair, and Mr.. Robert d. Ward was ap-
pointed secretary.
On motion of Colonel Evans, the following
committee was appointed tv drnft suitable
rcSolutions-viz., Messrs. Evans, Guigon,
Wexford, Crump, and Maury.
The committee retired, and after few
moments absence reported the following
preamble and resolutions:
1.-The members of the Richmond bar have
received with profound regret the mclan-
choly intelligence announcing the death OF
our late associate Major n. A. Sturdiyant.
g His manly bearing and exalted sense
of honor, his generous character and ami
able disposition, had won the affectonate
esteem of his brethren of the bar, while his
clear and vigorous intellect, his great ca
pacity for direct and cogent reasoning, his
| Il n1n
him an ornament TO our profession.
" He filled for many years with conspicu-
Gus ability the important and delicate trust
of commemorative attorney for the city OF
Richmond.
Firm, Jealous, and scrupulously con-
scientious in the discharge of his duties,
he was always humane, gentle, and con-
siderate-thus maintaining both the dig
nity and honor of the State and its tender
concern for personal rights.
"We lament in unaffected sorrow the loss
of one who has died in his manhood's
prime, and we will cherish his memory
with tender recollection.
"ReSolued, That in the death of Majo n.
A. Sturdivant the Richmond bar has lost
one Of its ablest members, who, by his kind
and liberal temper, his spotless integrity,
his solid and brilliant attainments, had
gained distinguished reputation for him
self and illustrated the profession to which
he belonged.
"Resolved, That in token of our respect
for his memory we will attend his funeral
ceremonies, and wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolu-
- / Iol to bn 70 IF Z bn IL
ceased, and that the press of the city be
requested to publish the same.
Resolued, That the chairman of this
meeting present these resolutions to the
courts Of the city with a request that they
be spread upon the records thereof"
In Offering the resolutions Colonel Evans
paid most appropriate tribute to the memo
ry of the deceased. He was followed by
Messrs. Wexford and Crump, who spoke
with earnestness and eloquence. Mr.. A.
NJ. Kelley, partner of the deceased, also
made very neat effort. Judge Burnham
also spoke for few moments in most
appropriate manner, and paid q very high
tribute to the deceased. Mr.. r. D. Ward,
member Of the bar, and a warm personal
friend Of the deceased, spoke in most feel
ing manner, and paid a beautiful tribute to
the character OF the deceased.
On motion of Major Turner it was re-
solved that when the meeting adjourn 1t
would adjourn to meet again at quarter
10 o'clock, and that the members Of the
bar would attend the funeral in body.
The following pall-bearers were then ap-
pointed for the bar: 4. NJ. Kelley, Thomas
J. Evans, John Howard, F. P. Turner, A.
B. Guigon, r. D. Ward.
The following were appointed for the citi
zens Thomas U. Dudley, Julius A. Hob
son. Andrew Jinkins. William Z. BinfOrd,