The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-07-29
Gen. W. C. WhitthOrne.


This gentleman announces himself
through our paper to>day as candidate
for Congress. The intelligence will be
gratifying to an linusually large circle OF
sdmiring friends, not only In this immo-
iiate Congressional district, but through
out the State. Gen. w. has now been
connected with the public service and
regarded in the light OF q pubic mans
for fifteen years, passing through the
changes and vicissitudes ofparties, and of
all the conflicts and asperities incident to
an internecine war, accomplishing what
but few have done, viz: made himself
more and more the champion and favor
tie of the people. This is the result OF
combination of qualities seldom unit
Ing in one character-talent and tact,
holiness without rashness, earnestness
without illiberality, strict adherence to
duty, and all backed by an untiring en-
ergy. Such a man cannot fail to be use
full to the country whether found in Of
fee or following the more quiet pursuits
of private life.
AS member of both houses of the Leg
islature prior to the war, Gen. Whit
thorne displayed a ready comprehension
of the varied interests of the country and
the rights of the people, coupled with an
executive ability, that placed him at
once high fin the regard of all intelli-
gent and critical observers. As Speaker
of the House he acquitted himself In a
manner that but few have equailed who
have occupied the same difficult position.
In no position, however, bp Gen.
wHITTHoRNE evidenced so much execu-
tive ability as during the brieftime at the
beginning of our recent revolutionary
troubles, when engaged as As
sistant Adiutant General under Governor
Harris, in organizing the Provisional
Army OF Tennessee. The rapidity and
facility with which an army OFFS, 900 men
were enrolled, Offered and placed upon
a war footing, was without parallel in
the Confederate States. In this work. Gen.
w. performed an Important part. When
that army vas ready for active duty and
was turned over to the Confederate au-
thorities, Gen. w. accompanied the Bri-
gadep placed under Gen. Andersonto Wes-
tern Virginia, and acted fora time az
his Adjutant. He was called homo IN
few month"; by a succession Of the Sc
verest domestic Affections. At this time
Gen. Johnston, who stood guarding the
Northern and Eastern line of our State,
WIS earnestly appealing for reinforce
r1efsts, and by no one was the call so
sensibly felt as by our then able and pa
triotic Governor Again Gen. WHIT
THoRNE went to his assistance, and In
less than three months fourteen addition
al infantry regiments, thee cavalry Dat
taIions, and three artillery companies,
were organized, equipped, and put In
the field. After the fall of Fort Donelson
and the abandonment Of Middle Tenn.
10y the Confederate forces, the work Of
recruiting and organizing troops was
continued under Gen. w. at Memphis,
until after the battle of Shiloh. Plans
were subsequently put on foot at Chatta-
nooga for the organization of mounted
Rangers, looking to special service In
Tennessee The carly advance OF Gen.
Bragg into Kentucky and other changes
that were made, put an end to this, when
Gen. w. attached himself to the staff OF
Gen. Hardee. After reaching Mumfords-
willie, however, it again became his duty
10 return to Tennessee with the view of
increasing or forces, and about this
time engaged with Gen. Forrest in his
attack on Nashville. When tho battle Of
Murfreesboro came on, he bore gallant
and ain active part in 1t as member ofthe
staff of Gen. Hardee. He remained with
the army and continued in that position
until some change took Gen. Hardee
temporarily from that field Of duty,
when he was invited to position In
the military family ofGen. Wright, with
whom he served calamity in the memoir
able and bloody battle of Chicanauga.
When Gen.,wright was sent TO post duty
by reason of his health, Gen. WHIT
rHoRNE attached himself to the staff Of
the gallant Gen. Carter, who was after
wards MORALLY wounded at Franklin,
and whose honored remains are entomb-
cd i'm our beautiful cemetery. Upon
the last advance OF the Confederate for
ces into Tennessee, our recollection is
that Cen. W. was on duty with Gen.
Cheatham.
In the varied relations which no occu-
pied during the war, all who know him
and there are but few Of the Tennessee
troops who did not-honored him for his
gallantry, patriotism and ability. lie
Was regarded with special favor ~ the
officers OF rank with whom he CHANGED
to serve. Without any extravagant elo-
gitini this much may well be said. The
fortunes OF war DO no. affect the meed of
praise due to each patriot and citizen-sol-
der who, following judgment and con-
science, made, In that trying hour, full
discharge OF duty 10 his country. az.
The present is a period OF peculiar in-
terest with the States recently in rcbell-
ion. in their relations to The Federal Gov
eminent. Whatever may be the dissat-
isfied feeling engendcred by the proscrip-
tive and illiberal policy pursued to
wards us, We are no less integral part OF
the same government, alike interested In
it's peaceful and prosperous administers
ton. The South and those sympathizing
with her, are, for the present, sadly IN
the minority. With intelligent and prn-
dent counsel on tho part of our represen-
tative men she is not likely to remain 90
long. The true interests of tho great ho-
dy of the American people are in harmo-
nv with our interests. What we need 81
Washington now is, truly representative
men. We have had but few, if any such
from the South since the war. Where
can be found one better answering thede-
mand OF the times than in the person c,
Gen. wHTrTHoRNEs Able, experienced
.elf-possessed, in full accord with his
people, and never forsaking their inter
,sts from any imaginary self>advantace
his election might be justly hailed as ar
omen of good results, not only for his
immediate constituents, or the State, but
for the entire South. And such we be
lieye is the common sentiment Of all who
know him. GEO
-rff OH.
The Hon. Thos. NJ. Jones, Of Giles
comfy, has withdrawn from the race