The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-02

DEATH OF COLONEL THOMAS P. AUGUST.
Colonel THOMAS P. AUGUST died Mt his
rooms in this city at seventeen minutes to
o'clock on Saturday.
He was born in Fredericksburg, in Octo-
Der, 1921, and consequently was in his
forty-eighth year at the time of his death.
He came to Richmond when but q child.
Early in life his father became embarrassed
financially, and the son, unwilling to i'm
pose upon him the burden of his education,
became salesman in store, devoting his
leisure moments to study. In 1912 he went
Lyons, Esq. In 1916 he Joined the army
which invaded Mexico as volunteer with
the Richmond Grays, CT which he was q
lieutenant. He was made adjutant Of Colo
mel Hamtrammack's Virginia regiment, and
as such served until the war was over.
General Jubal Early wag major of this re-
giment. Returning to Richmond in 1S49.
he resumed zealously the practice of
his profession, and won such dis
tinction that in 1851 he was placed
before the public as candidate for the Le-
gislature against James c. Crane. After q
contest, ore of the closest in the political his
tory of Richmond, he was elected over his
competitor, and served his term out. Seve-
raj times subsequently he was urged to be-
come candidate for prominent positions,
but he generally declined in Difference to
his friendly feelings for others who would
have been his opponents had he consented
to run. He Was elected to the Senate, how
ever, for the session of lS58-'59. In the
practice of the law he was member of the
firm of August, Randolph & Watkins, and
afterwards he was associated with General
George W. Randolph.
Before the commencement of the war he
was colonel of the First Virginia regiment,
and was one of the most popular officers
the regiment ever had. He was afterwards
appointed brigadier-general of militia for
this district, and occupied that position
when the war commenced. He entered the
war as colonel of the Fifteenth Virginia
regiment, and went into active service
against the advice of his friends and ply
sicians, who contended that his health would
not admit of it. He served until the battle
of Malvern Hill, when he received severe
flesh wound. AS an instance of his re-
markable coolness and courage, it is
stated that in that action he was
shot in the thickest of the fight, and
Us he was being borne past his regiment
he stopped the litter-bcarers, and raising
himself upon his elbow, made speech tC
the men, telling them to remember theil
duty as Virginians. After his recovery
from his wound he was retired, in conse
quence of ill-health, and was appointed as
chief of the Conscription Bureau, which
position he held till the fate of the Con
federacy was decided. Towards the close
of the war he was elected State senator
from Richmond over Colonel Wyatt NJ. Ell
| liott. After the war he resumed the prac'
tice Of his profession in partnership Will
the Hon. James Lyons. The last public
position he ever occupied was that of City
Councilman. As such he labored faithfully
and zealously for the interests of the city
until he was removed by the military. II,
was in the full practice of his profession
until three weeks since, when he was at
tackled with the disease which caused hi
death. He retired to his room on his return
from visit to Governor Walker, and die
not leave it afterwards.
Colonel August retained his mental facul
ties to the last, and declared himself res ign
cd to death. The last business act of hi
life was the making his will, which wa
done on Friday. The pastor of his church
DR.. Minnigerode, attended him in his las
moments, and gave him the consultations o
religion.
And now, in saying few words Of thi
greatly esteemed gentleman, this warm
hearted friend, genial companion, delight
ful humorist and wit, we can hardly trus
ourselves. We fear to speak the emotion
of friendship inspired by his genial quail
tiles, lest they be too partial. Yet the pop
ularity of the deceased was so general tina
we fcol assured that we can hardly utter
word in eulogy which will not meet read.
response in the hearts of thousand friends
remarkable trait in the character o
Colonel August was his unaffected manner
and his confding disposition. No ma
could sooner win his way to the respect an
kind feeling-nay, the very heart-of tn
stranger. He was demonstrative, yet grace
full and courteous-neither arrogant no
difident-courageous yet gcntle-decide'
and firm, yet calm and deliberate. He was
indeed, gentleman. Without being pro
found, he was very ingenious lawyer an
effective pleader. He never failed to wi
at least the kind feeling of the jury; an
as far as his cause could be affected by tn
personal popularity of the advocate,
never failed to get the benefit of it.
He passed through life, professionally an
socially, with as few difficulties as mos
men, in which ne ever bore himself man
fully as well as generously. He enjoye
not only the good opinion but the affectio
of society. He was, 80 to speak, pet of tn
community. He had his errors-they wer
not wrongs to his fellow-man-but these
let us hope, were SO overwhelmingly coun
terbalanced by the virtues and graccs 9
his life that they will hardly be reck
oned in that final compt to which all wi
have to be called. Adieu, thou heart {
gold, true friend, and loyal gentleman!
MEETING OF TIE BAR.-The members {
the bar of the city met in the circuit court
room on Saturday afternoon at 6 o'clock