Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-01
Sketch Of II. w. Hughes.

grandfather, David Hughes, was captain in
the war of Independence, while his father,
Jesse Hughes, was captain in the war of 1912.
Ills mother was "a Morton, of Prince Edward
county. Through her the subject of this sketch
ipherits the blood of the Huguenot families of
Watkins Mosely, Mosby, Daniel, and others.
A great great uncle, Jesse Hughes, was pio-
ueer hunter and Indian fighter in West Vir-
gipia from whom Hughes's river, flowing into
the kanawha, took its name.
Having lost both parents 10 infancy, the sub
iect Of this sketch was reared to the age OF
twelve by Colonel Edward c. Darlington, of
Halifax. He was then sent to the carpenter $
trade, in Princeton, N. j., and there worked
and having determined to obtain an education,
went to the Caldwell Institute, Greensboro
n. C., for eighteen months. We next find him
teacher of mathematics 10 the Bingham High
School, Hilsboro', n c., where he grounded
himself In classical education; but contrary
to the general impression, he never went to
college.
In 1914 Colonel Hughes studied law 10 Fincas-
tie, Va, and in 1916 settled in Richmond,
where he lived until 1857. During nearly all
this time he was constant contributor to the
Richmond Examiner, an independent Demo
cratic paper Of considerable celebrity and great
influence in the South. When the editor of
that Journal, John NJ. Daniel, esq, went abroad
as United States Minister to Sardinia in 1858
Colonel Hughes assumed editorial charge OF it.
lie continued in this position until the acces
sion of Mr.. Buchanan to the presidency in
1857, when, on Invitation of the President, he
accepted the position of principal editorial wri-
ter for the Washington Union, the national
organ 1t will be remembered, Of the Democra-
tic party This position he filled with marked
ability until the summer of 1859, when he re-
tired from politics to farm which he had pur
chased in Washington county, 10 Southwestern
Virginia, where he has since continued to re-
side though during and since the war he has
spent most of his time in Richmond.
The hostility of Mr.. Buchanan to Judge
Douglas was one of the reasons which induced
the withdrawal of Colonel Hughes from the
Washington Union. He attended the Demo
cratic Convention which convened in Charles
ton in April, 1860, as a Jealous advocate OF
Judge Douglass but owing to his personal re-
laous with the Buchanan Administration he
took no part in the presidential contest of that
year.
After the secession Of Virginia, Colouel
Hughes became an ardent supporter OF the
cause of Confederate independence, aud at the
earnest solicitation of bis friend Ohm NJ. Daniel
war in Richmond as an editorial writer for the
columns of the Examiner. The Influence and
celebrity Of this Journal during that memorable
period are we'll known. The paper was con-
Quoted 10 opposition to the Davis Adminstra-
toU, bu: made encouragement OF the Conted-
crate soldiers and armies its leading study and
effort. Contrary to the popular impression,
Col. Hughes was not on the staff OF the Exam
lner during the year 1860, por until after the
fall of Fort Sumter but after that he was one
of its most industrious contributors, a Jealous
defender Of southern institutions and aims, and
bitter opponent of the Federal Government.
lie left the paper about eight mouths before
the evacuation of Richmond.
Immediately after the Federal occupation of
this city Union paper, called The Republic,
surprise of bis old Democratic and Confederate
friends, became its editor. This paper, though
for while successful, was short-ived, for it
had 20 hold whatever upon the sympatbies of
the disappointed and broken hearted people
among whom it was circulated and from whom
It's pa.ronage if any, was to be derived. When
1t suspended, Col. Hughes resumed the prac-
uce OF law aud resided On his farm in South
west Virginia.
On the removal of the State Journal from
Alexandria to Richmond be took editorial
charge Of that paper, con6ning his attention at
trst almost entirely to railroad questions. lie
wrote in the Journal series of able articles ia
yoriDg the consolidation schemes of Gen. Ma.
hone, and in advocacy Of national aid to the
central water line, or James river and Kanawha
canal. Ills report, prepared tor the National
Board OF Trade, in favor of this water line, at
tanned considerable celebrity and his article on
the same sebject published in Hunts Merch-
ants Magazine for August and September,
1908, and republished in pamphlet form, has
oeen widely circulated.
!, before he had been many months editor OF
Tue Journal This Dame never appeared 10 that
paper as such, we believe, Col. Hughes began
70 write articles in support of the Republican
party and its obnoxious policy of reconstruction,
and some Of these were so bitter that they caus-
Ell much excitement among the people of Rich
mOhd, and attracted great deal of notice
rom the Conservative press. The Petersburg
Index then edited by Col. VIM. <. Cameron,
"oN occasion to denounce the State Journals
course IN unmeasured terms, and spoke Of
Colonel Hughes, its supposed editor as a
'enal writer untrue to bis past record and false
10 the people Of Virginia. This led to per-
eemptory challenge from Colonel Hughes to
NoIcnel Cameron, which having been accepted
s,du duel was fought OF the 18th Of June, 1869
me me seconds were Colonel Clarkson and Eroest
rMltz, esq, on behalf Of Colonel Hughes, and
laptaiu Ernest Lagarde and Captain Rogers on
oehalt Of Colonel Cameron. The latter was
wounded. The duel shaving taken place before
Tue adoption of the present Constitution of Vir-
k,ala' neither of the parties are disfranchised
oy their participation init
9 COLONEL Hughes edited the State Journal
from ut about the middle of April, 1862 until,
tne middle Of June, 1870. In February, 1871,
ue was appointed without solicitation on his
fHart) United States Attorney for the Western
uISlrct Of Virginia, and has ever suce held
s'I vat office, but having received the nomination
,or 1oyernor will now forward his resignation
The President. He has since the war twice
neen Republican candidate for Congress, but
"as each tune defeated To 1870 he was bea-
"y "o by General William Terry, who received
,'9io votes, against 3,50S for Hughes, and
tt'ol' for McMullin independently. Last fall
t,sa ne was beaten by 5,O2s majority, the vote