Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-02-07


tains. He served in Congress until
March, 1861.
While a candidate for reelection in
1861, the ordinance of secession was
passed by the Convention Oh the Goth
of May. Preparations for war were
on foot, and Vance was no lag
gard in war. He responded, and at
once, to the very first call to arms. He
had not favored the secession move
ment, but he was true North Caro-
linian, and ready to obey the behests
of his State at all hazards-at the
hazard even of his life. Before the
end of May, indeed on the very day
on which the ordinance of secession
was passed, he was Captain Vance,
and had his company in camp at
Raleigh. His company was one of
those that formed the Fourteenth
Regiment, first commanded by that
gallant soldier, Colonel Jnnius Daniel.
Captain Vance served with his regi-
ment in Virginia until late in the Fall
or early Winter when he was elected
Colonel of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment,
in command of which he fought at the
battle of Newbern and in the fights
around Richmond. In August, 1862,
he was elected Governor, and having
resigned his Colonelcy was inaugurated
in the Fall Of that year, under special
ordinance of the Convention, fixing
the date of the beginning of his term
Of Office. In 1864, he was reelected
Governor of the State. His vigorous,
earnest efforts for the successful
prosecution of the war are matters of
common history.
In April, 1865, he left Raleigh with
General Joe Johnston's army, went to
Greensboro, and from there to Char
lotte, where he joined President Davis.
From Charlotte he went to Statesville,
| in Iredell county, to which place he had
previously removed his family fol
safety aud refuge. There he remained
until sometime in May, 1866, when he
| was arrested and carried to Washing
ton City, and imprisoned in the Old
! Capitol, where he was confined fol-
! several months. 1t was while there
! that he gave one of his characteristic
replies to the question asked, we be
hevc, by old Tom Corwin, of Ohio
"What are you doing here Vance ?
He said, sat the beginning of the wal
! Holden said he would get in the las
ditch, and vote the last man and the
last dollar to whip the Yankees.
went his security, and as hn won't pay
they have taken me with a ca So ant
here l am" Mrs Vance having fallel
very i'll, Governor Holden. at the soil
citation of Governor Vance's friends
and i'll tardy recognition of the protec
ton extended TO him when the rait
was made by Confederate troops OF
his printing Office in Raleigh, wrote t,
! President Johnson in his behalf, ant
he was permitted to return home OF
parole, and was finally released.
Towards the close of the year Gov
ernor Vance removed to Charlotte ant
resumed the practice of the law
Perhaps one of the most importan
cases in which he has been engaged
was the celebrated will case of tn
Z 1,% 10 ~ Tn1 frio IN, 4
ton, in the year 1867, an account o
which was published in the JoURNA1
at the time.
OF course, during the war OF recon
struction, as it may well be termed, i
vas impossible for Zebulon B. Vance t
be an lille spectator. Although
banned man, he has, We believe, take
an active part in every stage of tn
struggle ever maintaining and up
holding the rights of the people O
North Carolina. In every section o
the State has his voice been heard
exhorting the people to courage, ant
to patience, and to hope, and that, too
doubtless, at a great sacrifice of hi
private interests.
Finally, in 1870, when honest mel
once more controlled the Legislature
it was thought the time had com
when an adequate reward could b
given to such long and faithful servic
in field, in camp and in council cham
Der. Accordingly, on November 29th
1870, he was elected by the Legis
lature to be United State
Senator, IL succeed General Abbott
The Federal ssaate. after delusiv'
hopes held out by its members, re
fused to remove his disabilities, ant
on the I'd of January, 1872, his resig
nation was sent in to the Senate o
North Carolina. Thereupon Genera
Mathew ". Ra lnqsolnq was elected in hi
place, and was enabled. by persona
appeals to Senators, to secure the pas
sage OF Il iau removing his disabilities
During the campaigu that followed
Governor Vance took all active ana
distinguished part, canvassing boil
the Eastern and the Western portion:
# the State. Everywhere he went ht
was reeeiyed with most cordial ant
eataaa9llsiaastt SIG %elleola4e. ,The people o.
Wilmington we'll relllpq ellnAber tale regrel
and disappointment they felt whel
they learned that a heavy tall OF rain
at Whiteville, in Columbus county
lad compelled postponement of his
speeei, ti4ere 70 On hour that would
prevent his speaking iaete.
The recollection of the recent sena
torial contest in which Governor Vance
Wis Gefcatcd, is fresh in the memory
of lis all. EvcrybodE knows that Gov
crnor Vance was the regular nominee
Of the Conservative Party, and that j.
/ was ac1eate@ - lie refusal of certain
gentlemen TO. DE sound by the .-ction o.
the party caucus Everybody regrets
that division and dissensions should