Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-21

However painful TO bis numerous Iflenur,
may be the intelligence that Gen. Joel A.
Battle is dead, yet the melancholy an
pouncemen. viii create no surprise here IN
the vicinity of his home. For several
weeks past it has been known that Gen:
Battle was in very critical condition, and
for some days it has been known that ms
physicians and the friends mostly with hlm,
had given up all hope of his ultimate recov-
cry. As briefly announced in yesterdays
paper, Gen. Battle died at 12a O'Clock Mon
day night. He was in the 61st year OF his
ace, and a native of this county, by the
people of which he was well known
and highly esteemed. Before the
late war, Gen. Battle had occupied several
positions of public trust, always giving sat
isfaction By the fidelity and prudence OF bis
official conduct. In 1885 he was elected
Brigadier General of the State militia, and
in 1872 represented Davidson county IN
the Legislature, having with Hon. Russell
Houston, been chosen Representative Tor
that session of the General Assembly.
Earnest devotion to the public interests, un-
Wayering attachment to bis friends, and
constant adherence to the principles OF
right and Justice, were distinguishing traits
in his character, exhibited alike in quiet and
troublous times-in peace and war
as citizen and soldier. DE was
soldier in the late war serving
first as a Colonel of the 10Th Tennessee
Regiment, and subsequently in command
of brigade. He was captured In the
fiercest of the memorable struggle at Shiloh
and remained for some months in North
ern prison before being exchanged. Then
returning to the South in feeble health, he
was appointed Gov. Harris's State Treas
urer of Tennessee. After the war was
over, Gen. Battle returned to Nashville to
seek in some way to better his then deple-
ted financial condition. Soon after his re-
turn, he took charge as proprietor Of the
City Hotel, and his prudent and popu a-under
management, the house rapidly gained pub
lie favor. He was subsequently induced to
take charge of the Stacey House on Church
street, and its name was changed to the
Battle House. In TINS pro-
prietorship as In that OF the
City Hotel, he was successful even beyond
his most sanguine expectations. de pos
sessed in remarkable degree the qualities
necessary to constitute popular and sue
cessful landlord. Early after the com
mencement of the present administrator
of the State government, Gov. brown con-
ferred upon Gen. Battle the appointment Of
SUPERINTENDENT of the State Prison, which
position he occupied until the time of his
death. Since the commencement of his ad-
ministration as Superintendent, several i'm
portant changes have been inau-
curated in the control and discipline
of the prison-believed by those most
conyersant with the affairs of that institu-
ton 10 be better than the old system, both
for the good of the prisoners and the inter-
est of the State. The announcement OF
Gen. Battles death made many sad hearts
among the unfortunate inmates of that in
stitution, as it did throughout this entite
community, where he was universally held
in the high esteem due to his worth as q
citizen, his courage as a soldier, and his
steadfastness as a friend. The death of
such a man as Gen. Joel A. Battle is pub
lie calamity, and the virtues which adorned
his life will be cherished in fondest memory
! by his kindred and friends.