Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-10-09
GOHN HOUSTON sAvAGE1
McMinnyille New Era, Oct. 8.

John HOUSTON sAvAGEI
McMinnville New Era, Oct. 8.
The people of Warren county, last Mon
day, as well as the people of other counties,
in public meetings having declared Col.
Savage their choice for United States Sena-
tor, as successor 10 the Hon. w. G. Brown
low, and as it seems there is everywhere a
popular tide in his favor which in all prob
ability may bear him onward TO that high
position, We deem il due to the people to
publish more extensive notice of his past
history, especially his political and military
services, than has yet appeared in the
press.
Col. Savage is the son of George Savage,
who was a native of Virginia, and emigra-
ted TO Tennessee about the year 1909. He
was a soldier of the war Of 1872, and after
peace In 1915, moved from East Tennessee
to McMinnville, which is Col. Sayage's ma
tive town. His mother was Elizabeth
Kenner, daughter of ROdham Kenner, who
lived near Rogerssille, and represented
Hawkins county in the Legislature when
that body held its sessions in Knoxville.
About 1919 Colonel SIS father moved 20
the farm West of MeMinnville, where
he lived until his death, which occurred in
1873.
John, like other boys at that time, work.
ed upon the farm during crop time and
was sent to a country school during the
winter months. He acquired the reputa-
ton of an industrious farmer boy aud a
promising student, and was sent to the
Academy al McMinnville couple Of ses-
sions. At the time of Gen. Gaines procla-
g. to iufa iu tha
trality Of the Texas frontier, Colonel s.
had built him cabin on the bluff Of the
river running near his fathers house, and
was engaged in a course of historical and
literary reading preparatory to the study OF
law. He then volunteered in a company
raised in Warren county by Gen. John B.
Rogers, and after forty days service was
discharged-HoustOnh having in the mean
time triumphed at San Jacinto.
Soon after call was made by the PreSi-
dent-Gen. Jaekson-for volunteers to de-
fend the Florida frontier against the
SeminOles. A company was raised in
Warren and rendered, but not received, in
which Colonel S. was private. When the
rejection of the company was made known,
Colonel s., with four other boys OF War
rem, 5. G. Smart, 7. II. Price, E. NJ. Mer-
Ger, Joseph Robinson, and the late Col. p.
NJ. Armstrong, Of Overton county, all I'M
der age, went to Fayetteville and joined
Gen. Robert Armstrong; brigade, July 4,
1886, entering such companies as would
receive them. Savage, Smart and Robin
son entered Capt. Grundy's company, from
Nashville, and were soon after transferred
to Capt. William Undertakes company of
spies, and after marching over Florida,
and meeting the Indians at various points,
crossed the Gulf, and were discharged at
New Orleans in January, 1887.
Colonel S. returned TO his home, completed
his intended historical and literary course,
read law and commented the practice OF
his profession at Smithville, DeKalb eOun-
TO. in December, 1899, leaving McMinn-
Vile to avoid practicing before his brother
in-law, the late Andrew j. Marchbanss,
which he deemed injudiciOus.
He was soon greeted by the people as a
rising man. He was elected by the Leg
isIature of lS41 Attorney Gener-
al, to succeed General Cullom,
whose term expired in October, 1912
Colonel s. held this Office four years. His
administration was marked for fairness,
efficiency and economy, and the popularity
of the incumbent. He was also nominated
Polk elector in 1874, it is said upon the
| suggestion of Mr.. Polk himself, and was
opposed by Hon. Thomas l.. Bransford, one
| of the abiest debaters of the Wing party.
| This canvass was conducted with such
ability as left Colonel Savage at the head
| Of the Democracy in the mountains, and it
is due to say that a warm friendship was
maintained between himself and Colonel
Bransford until the death of the latter.
In 1916 Col. Savage raised company of
volunteers for the Mexican war, which was
not accepted.
In 1S47, contrary to his wishes, his friends
pressed him to become a candidate for
| Congress against Samuel Turney and the
Hon. II. L. w. Hill. He resigned the Of
fee Of Attorney General, took the stump,
but only a few speeches had been made
when President Polk appointed him Major
of the 14th Regular Infantry, recruiting in
Tennessee. Illinois and Louisiana, and OF
which VIM. Trousdale was Colonel, and
Gov. p. o. Herbert, of Louisiana, Lieut..
4 Colonel. Major Savage took an active
part in recruiting the regiment. He made
the acquaintance of President Pierce al
Vera Cruz, and was afterwards his warm
supporter for the Presidency. MAJOR Saw
age was in the battles of COntreras, Cher
| rubusco and Moline del Rey, and was
severely wounded in the right leg at the
latter place by a fragment of a bOmbshell
thrown from the Castle of Chepultepec.
| In this battle Lieut.. Colonel Graham, OF
| the 18th u 5. Infantry, was killed, and
Major Savage was promoted to his place,
and so soon as able for duty took command
of the regiment until the close Of the war.
| This regiment was recruited in Pennsylva-
mia, New York and Virginia, and was dis
charged at New York in 1913 After bis
discharge Col. Savage returned home in
time to make a few speeches for General
| Cass, resumed the practice Of law al Smith
! vile, and was elected to Congress in 1916
over Samuel Turney and Gen. Rodgers by
large majority. In 1851 he was again
elected over opposition. In 1853 he did
not aspire, Judge Gardenhire being the
candidate. In 1856 and 1857 he wa:
elected over opposition. In 1859 w. b
Stokes was elected over Col. Savage.
When the late war came Colonel S. was
practicing law at Smithville; he declined
TO recruit, but agreed to command q regi-
ment. He was elected Colonel of the IA
nous 10Th Tennessee; was a rigid disci-
plinarian, and unpopular at the beginning
but after meeting the enemy there was 8
sudden change, and no regiment was evel
more devoted TO its commander. He wa
with General Lee in Western Virginia and
South Carolina (and bis regiment was q
favOrite during this service). While in the
mountains of Virginia Colonel S. per-
formed one of those bold and skillful act:
which mark him as the man for great emer
gencies Ito succeed where others would
not dare attempt). 1t looks more like 70
nance than trIIth-but the men of the ST
and 10th are the witnesses. We clip thu
following from the UNION AND AMERICAN
of the 9th of November, 1861, and the fact
are set forth in detail by DR.. j. w. Gray
Gen. DOnalsOn's Brigade Surgeon, in
communication to the same paper of th'
9TH of December, 1861:
A BOLD CAPTURE.
A correspondent of the Savannah Repub
licdR, writing from the Army Of the North
l y,