Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-16

JOuu WaTWlCk Daulci was UCfn In
Lynchburg, September 5th, 1912. Two
years of schooling in the college at
Lynchburg and course of study with
DR.. Gessner Harrison at Bellevue, Mel
son county, brought him to the period
secession. On the day of secession he
packed his books, said good bye to DR..
Harrison and his fellow-students, and
alone started for Lynchburg. Two DAYS
later he volunteered as private in the
Wise troop. He was then eighteen
years of age. On the 1st of Nav, Gov.
ernor Letcher commissioned him Sec
ond lieutenant in the Provisional Army
of Virginia, and, under orders, he at
once reported for duty to General Joseph
p. Johnston at Harper's Ferry. Here
he was assigned to command in the
Stonewall brigade. He was in the first
action of Johnston's troops at Falling
Waters, and made the forced march
with that command to joi1 Beauregard
at Manassas. Lieutenant Daniel bore
an honorable part in the charge made
by Jacks0n's brigade upon the famous
Sherman battery at the Henry House.
Here it was that Bee saw jackson
standing like stone WALL" and here
Daniel was three times wounded. For
several months the Lieutenant was con-
fined to his bed by these wounds Very
soon after his partial recovery he was
elected second lieutenant of Company A,
Eleventh Virginia infantry, a command
composed of his fellow-townsmen. For
gallantry he was subsequently made ad-
jutant of the Eleventh Virginia regi-
ment, and then quickly rose to assistant
adjutant-general, with the rank of ma.
jor, on the staff of Major-General Jubal
A. Early. On the 9th of May, 1864, in
the battle of the Wilderness. while ral-
lying q regiment of Pegram's brigade
and leading them back to the charge,
Major Daniel was shot from his horse,
his thigh crushed by Minnie bali He
was carried to the field hospital, where
his leg was examined by DR.. Hunter
Mcguire, of Richmond, DIR. Brock, of
Richmond, and DR.. Morrison, of Rock
bridge. The bone just above the knee
was found to be shattered, and the sur
geons concluded to saw off four inches
and attempt to resect it. This opera
tion the Major bore with fortitude, and
also subsequent ones required by reason
Of decayed bone.
Major Daniel was to have been ordered
on duty in the War Department, and
was sure of promotion-having been ur-
gently recommended therefor by num-
Der of general officers and army associ-
ates-when the war closed and returned
him to civil life.
MAJOR DANIEL AS A LAWYER.
John Daniels grandfather, was Will
liam Daniel, of Cumberland county, for
many years judge of the circuit and gem
eral courts. His father was William
Daniel. Jr., who was born in Winches-
ter in 1906, and who in 1S47 was chosen
q judge of the Supreme Court, which DO
sition he held until the close of the late
war. Naturally enough Major Daniels
thoughts turned to the profession of law,
and, the war over, he nursed his wound
ed limb and read Blackstone by turns.
Later he took the law class at the Uni
versity for one year. At the close of
that year he was the orator Of the JET.
ferson Society. His address, styled 1.-THE
at once entered upon lawyers career,
and in the midst of growing practice
has found time to write number of law
books, which have become high author
ities.
POLITICAL CAREER.
IN 1869, when the Walker movement
commenced, MAJOR Daniel made his first
appearance in politics. He was nomi-
mated by the people of Campbell for the
House of Delegates, and after brilliant
canvass was triumphantly elected. At
the close of his term he declined re elec-
urged by his community for Congress.
In 1875 he was chosen to the State Sen .
ate, and in 1879 he was reelected. He
was warmly favored for the United
States Senate, but was defeated by SEN
atOr Johnston. In 1877 he had a very
formidable and enthusiastic support for
the gubern&torial nomination. Wheth-
er in victory or defeat his devotion to
his party has ever been unwavering.-
Never has he faltered. No man has
done more work for the cause. No man
has done better work. On the hustings
and in the Senate his eloquent voice has
always been heard in patriotic appeals
for the best interests of his State and
party. His legislative record will bear
the closest scrutiny. There are many
instances showing how truly he labored
for the advancement of the agricultural
and mechanical classes and how effec
tive were his efforts, His public ad-
dresses and political speeches are regards
ed as models of style, and to the Vir-
ginia people it is hardly necessary to say
how charming is his presence or how
his oratory.
HIS FUTURE.
Major Daniel was married shortly af-
ter the war to Miss Murrell, of Lynch
burg, and has several children. A model
of q soldier, statesman of unquestiOned
purity and ability, a lawyer Of learning
and eminence, trusted and beloved by
the people. he will make a canvass
worthy of his fame and Governor to be
proud of.
From the Richmond Dispatch, August 6th.]
As stated yesterday, Major John w.
Daniels grandfather was William Dam
iel, of Cumberland county, for many
years judge of the Circuit and General
Courts. He was the judge whose famous
observation that "a d-n lie Is the first
lick" is 80 often quoted. He was an of
fcer in the war Of 1872. and served with
credit in the Legislature of Virginia in
1929.
Major Daniels father, William DAN
lei, Jr., was born in Winchester, Fred
erick county, Va, In 1903. His mother