The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-03-29
Sketch of the Career of Gen. James
Chalmers.

Gen. James r. Chalmers, of Missis-
sippi, has many relatives in Texas, and
moreover led Texan soldiers during
the war between the States. There
fore this sketch from the daily Graphic:
He has attracted much attention re-
Gently by his brilliant canvass and cleo
ton to Congress from the sixth district
of Mississippi, in which the negroes
predominant 50 largely over the whites,
and which has been heretofore pro-
nounced Republican district. The
Democracy are proud of his achieve
ments, while many Republicans, in
credulous as to the reported political
change among the negroes, point to
his election as an evidence of intImida-
ton and wrong to the co'ored voters.
and delounce him as the Fort Pillow
murderer. His quiet and unobtrusive
manners and his reputation for kind
ness and generosity towards all men
would seem 20 negative the idea that
he was a man of blood, and the Con-
federate history of Fort Pillow not on
ly denies that any men were killed
after they had surrendered, but repre-
sents Gen. Chalmers as attempting TO
check the firing of the Confederates as
soon as the fort was entered and before
any surrender took place. That he is
a man of courage all admit, and this
should acquit him of this charge, for
the brave are never cruel.
He was born in Halifax county, Vir-
ginia, on the eleventh of January,
1881, and came from a family which
has produced many distinguished men.
DR.. John G. Chalmers, who was Secre-
tary of War in the Texas Republic, was
his uncle; Joseph w. Chalmers, Chan
cellor and United States Senator from
Mississippi, was bis father; David
Chalmers Glenn, the brilliant orator
and former Attorney General Of Mis-
sissippi, was his first cousin; and II.
N. Chalmers, now a distinguished
judge in the Supreme Court of Missis-
sIppi, is his brother; aud a younger
brother, now dead, Col. Alexander II.
Chalmers, was one of the most gallant
and dashing cavalry officers in the
Confederate service. James Renard
went to Mississippi when child, in
1889. He graduated with second hon.
ors Mt Columbia, South Carolina, in
1851, and was appointed a delegate
from Mississippi to the National Dem.
ocratic Convention at Baltimore in
1852. He was admitted to the bar in
1853, and was elected district attorney
for the Seventh Judicial District OF
Mississippi in 1858, and held that of
fee until the breaking out of the war.
He was elected to the Secessionists
Convention of Mississippi in 1860 and
was chairman of the Military Commit
tee of that body. He entered the Con-
federate military serYice in March,
1861, in command Of q company, and |
surrendered his command April 10,
1865, being then the commandant |
Of three brigades of Mississippi cav
airy, the First Division of the For
rest cavalry corps. He served two
years in the infantry, in command Of
the Ninth Mississippi Regiment and of
the celebrated 'High-pressure Brig
ade" of Mississippi, which he organ
lied, and which was afterwards ably
commanded in succession By Gems.
Tucker and Sharp, Of Mississippi; and
be was mentioned with distinction for
his galiantry by Gen. Bragg in his re-
port Of the battles Of Shiloh ard Muir
freesboro. In the last named battle he
was severely wounded, and Afterwards
transferred TO the cavalry service. He