Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-05-18
MAJOR JOHN PRESLEY STRANGE.

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gentleman took its fight at II o'clock
last evening. Msjor Strange was too
well known aud universally respected to
require any eulogy at our hands. His
memory viii be dear to thousands of ad-
miring friends, and his name will go
down to pOsterity without a blemish on
the fair pages Of his life. Naturally of
a modest and quiet disposition, his purity
of character and sterling qualities as a
man of true worth we're only made con
spieuous BY the fortunes Of war which
threw him into a prominent and respOu-
sible position. de was born in Flu
wanna county, Virginia, in 1921, and
removed with his father 10 this city
many years ago. In early life he
engaged in mercantile pursuits and
passed through a thorough CONNER
cial training About the year 1855
he became a member Of the firm of
Speed & Strange in the dry goods busi-
ness. Two years later the firm changed
to Speed, Donohue & Strange. The
Southern Palace was bull, for them on
Main street, and for years that was the
dry goods store par excellence Of Mem.
phis. lesding the trade and the styles.
Major Strange resided the most Of his
time in New York, to represent the in
terests Of the hourishing firm. Mean
while be had married a Miss Lamb in
Petersburg. Va. When the war broke
out the quiet, delicate man OF the count
ing room and figures, although having a
family. wound up his affairs aud assisted
in raising Forests first regiment Of
cavalry. portions Of which came from
Kentucky. His first position was the
humble aud laborious one OF sergeant
msjor. AT the battle Of Fort Donnel-
son he acted as adjutant of the regiment.
That regiment it will BE remembered,
was the only one to escape after
General Buckuer decided to surrender.
Whsh the entire amy had moved back
to the line Of the Memphis ARd Charles
ton railroad the regiment was perms-
nently organized at Burnsville, Miss,
and Major Strange was made Adjutant
His text and final promotion was to the
rsak Of Major for ~gallsntry at Murfrees-
bOro on the 2Ist Of July, 1862. After
that be was offered the Colonelcy Of a
regiment By the men and commander,
but at the urgent desire Of General For
rest declined, and served on his staff
until the end Of war. The others re-
tanned BY the General throughout the
war we're his own son Willie, Msior O. V.
RAnbaut and DR. ] B. CoRsu, Of Win
chester. Tenn. Major Strange was
naturally a delicate man, bat his spirit
ne1sr quailsd, and bis health rather i'm
proved under the severe tests Of For
rests dsahing campaigns. &c was
universally beloved By ofieers and men,
aui perhapshsd more personal influence
with General Forrest than any onein the
command. he participated in nearly
all the long forced marches and the in.
Vulnerable battles and skirmishes il
which Forests men we're engaged. a.
all times and under all circumstance
he was cool, accurate and perfectly re
liable. The columns Of the enemy ex
cited him no more than columns Of fg
ures in his contingencies. he va
General Forests confidential adviser
aud could approach him when no on.
else would make the attempt. he wrot
nearly all the general and special order
that emauated from headquarters, an.
they were models Of clearness and pur
diction. We think it no detraction t
General Forrest, who 10 in our midst,
say that he owes much Of his fame to Is
cool temper, sound Judgment an
splendid executive abilities Of hi
Adjutant General, Major John P
Stratge. The Major vas a pri
oner from the 3lst Of Decemhe
1862, to HAY 9, 1sG3. With this excel
ton he vas always on duty, the mod
of a soldier and high'toned gentleman
After Forests surrender, at Game
vile, Alabama, on which occasion
temperate and beautiful address ".
issued to the army, Major Strange
turned home, and having become a wi
over before the war, 5000 aft
married Miss Martin, a daught
of Judge Martin, Of Columbi
Tennessee. He is survived by this wi
and two young children, a boy and gil
Two children by bis first vile also liz
both daughters and one ofihem marie
He has been IN business a. health pl
mited since the war, but for two
three years has been TOO feeble to sppe
often on the streets. he lived the Ii
Of 4 Christian though not q meub
of aoy church, aud has doubtle