Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-06


biographical sketch of Gen. VIM.
B. Bate, by a correspondent of the
Nashville Banner of the 31st ult:
"Gen. VIM. B. Bate is native OF
Sumner county, Tennessee, and has
been a strict Democrat, utterly oppos-
ed to Capitalization aud latitudina-
rian construction, but in favor of strict
construction, the preservation of the
reserved rights of the States and the
people, and ready to promote all leglt-
innate progress.
At the age of AZ years he is full of
energy and force of character is one
of the best types of true Southern
manhood, warm in his attachments,
devoted to sense of duty, decided
and pronounced in his opinions and
sensitive regarding the rights of 9TH
ers and maintaining his own. No man
ever had friends more devoted, or was
more respected by his opponents.
Born in sight of the old fort at Bled-
soe's Lick, where his mother still re-
sides, he comes from one of the best
old pioneer families, and was reared
and educated among that chiyalrous
and noble people. His father dying
when he was only fourteen years old,
and the estate being involved, he was
unable to obtain a collegiate course,
but received academic education at
Rural Academy in Sumner county
Without means he left home and en-
barked as 4 clerk on a steamboat, in
which avocation he continued until
the breaking out of the Mexican war.
His boat being at New Orleans at the
time, he enlisted as private in Lou
isiana regiment, and followed It's for
tunes until his time of service expir
ed, and then became a member of
Cheatham's Bird Tennessee regiment
was elected First Lieutenant of Capt.
Hatton's company and acted as Adju-
tant of that regiment until the close OF
the war. The last flag captured in
the Mexican war is still in Tennessee
trophy of his boy valor.
Returning to his native heath, he
became the editor of his county paper.
K nown as the tenth Legion" and so
remained until he was elected in 1849,
to the Legislature-beiug barely old
enough to be legally entitled to his
seat. The following summer he com
menced the study of law at the Leb-
anon school, where he graduated in
1852. He settled in Gallatin. Tennes-
see. where he practiced his profession
until 1854, when he was elected Attor-
ney-G General of that, the Nashville
District. His career as Attorney-Gen-
eraI was a brilliant success, and ex-
tended his reputation throughout the
limits of the State. At the end of SIX
years he declined being a candidate
for re election, though such was his
for uprightness, fearless
ness and ability in the discharge of his
duty, that no one cOnld be found to
oppose him. Soon thereafter the war
between the States broke out, when
he enlisted as private and became
Captain of his company, and then
Colonel of the 2nd Tennessee Regi-
ment of infantry, which he immedi-
ately took to Virginia and reported to
Gen. Lee, then commanding the State
forces of Virginia, and. without en-
tering into detail, he suceessively
progressed in regular graduation until,
at the close of the war, he wore the
stars of ajor-General, and as such |
in North Carolina ID May,
1865.
He was three times shot through,
md had six horses killed under him
IN battle.
Once surrendered, he accepted the
changed condition of affairs, however,
It variance with his own. idea of his
rights and those of his suffering fell
ow- citizens Though the possessor of
/ handsome competence at the out
lreak of hostilities, he returned Grip
Die for life, his property all gone and
lie under heavy peculiarly obligations
o his friends, he set about to repair
his broken fortunes, and locating IN
Nashville he has enjoyed large and
lucrative practice since. He has es-
hewed active participation in politics
ince the war, except to always come
o the rescue of his friends and party
n every campaign. As an advocate
t the Bar or as an orator before the
Iustings he has but few equals in the
,outh, and is that character of man
o make his mark in whatever sphere
{ life his fortune may be cast.