The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-25
THE DEMOCRACY.
General william McCandIess, the Caudi
date for rAuditor-Genersl.

General william McCRndless, the Caudi-
date for AuditOr-General.
General William McCandless who was yesterday
nominated by the Democratic State Convention at
Harrisburg for Auditor-General, on the fourth
ballot was born in this city September 29 1891.
After receiving his education In the public schools,
he entered che machine shops Of Richard Norris s.
Son, in which he served an apprenticeship OF five
years. lie was subsequently employed en-
gineer on Western railroads, but abandoned
this calling and, after studying law with Lewis c.
Cassidy, ESQ.,, was admitted to the bar In 1858.
At the outbreak of the Rebellion, in April 1861, he
enlisted as private In Captain Timothy Mealeys
company, and when the regiment was recognized
Mr.. McCandless was elected major. In october,
1861, upon the promotion OF Lieutenant-C Colonel Al
bert MagIlton to the coonelcY OF the 4th Reg-
ment, Major McCandless was elected and commits
stoned leutenant-colonel, and upon the retirement
of Colonel William B. Mann assumed command of
the regiment In the Peninsular campaign he COM
manded his troops with skill, and on the first OF
August, 1852 was promoted to the colonelcy for gal
liant and meritorOus conduct. At the battle of Bull
Run he was severely wounded and carried from the
field to Washington. He rejDined his regiment at
Sharpsburg and participated In Burnsides cam
paign. In Meade's campaign, Colonel McCandess
commanded the 1st Brigade OF the Reserve Corps;
and during the absence OF General Crawford in the
winter of 1863 and the following spring, he COM
manded the division.
On thursday, the 5Jn OF NAV 1864, Wnen tue ISL
Brigade was cut Off and surrounded in the Wilder
ness, Colonel McCandess was captured, but in the
confusion that ensued he eluded his captOrs and
made his escape through the dense forests, and ar
rived safely in camp at Spottsylvania Court House,
Whilst leading his brigade IN a charge on Sunday
evening, he was wounded in the hand and disabled
from further service. He returned to Philadelphia
and was subsequently rendered brigadier's COM
mission, but feeling aggrieved ct the fact OF his
vices not having been recognized before, he wrote
sharp letter to the then Secretary OF War, In the
course Of which he said that he believed the true
position of q citizen was at home.
He then resumed the practice OF law, and soon
obtained a lucrative business, being principally
identified with the Illicit whisky cases in the United
States courts. In 1866 he accepted the Democratic
nomination for state Senator ia the First district,
and was elected over the Republican candidate,
Jeremiah Nichols, Notwithstanding that at the pre-
vious election the Republican Candidate had secured
a heavy majority. While at Harrisburg he occupied
leading position In the ranks or his party add fire.
quently participated in debates upon the more i'm
portant questions OF the day. In the summer OF
1s69 his friends made spirited canvass In his favor
for the Democratic nomination for Governor, but
failed to secure much strength for him in the con-
vention. Biding his time, he now has the opportu-
nifty OF coming before the people of the State for the
empty honor Of defeat.