The Evening critic., 1882-12-16
HON. ROBERT oULD.
The History Of an Honorable and
Eypufful Career.


THE CRITIC yesterday announced tho death
of Hon. Robert ould, at Richmond, Va. Mr..
ould became III week ago, but was at his of
flce ON Monday. The day following he became
worse, and gradually sank. Mr.. Ouli was
son of Mr.. Robert 0uld, Of Georgetown, ID. c.,
who introduced the Lancastrlan system OF
education in this country. He was born jan
uary 81, 1920 His academical studies he pur-
sued at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. and
the Columbian College, Washington, D.. O.,
graduating from the latter In tho fall OF 1877
He began tho study OF law with Joseph II
Bradley, of washington, and continued it un-
and Mary College, from the law. de.
partment OF which he graduated IN
1912. Early in the following year he was ad
mitted TO the bar OF the District OF Columbia,
at which he practlced uninterruptedly until
the outbreak OF the civil war. He was ap-
pointed by President Pierce ono OF two NOM
bors of the bar OF the District of Columbia 10
codify the laws OF the District. subsequently,
on the death OF Philip Barton Key, he was APP
pointed United States Dlstrict-Attorney of the
District OF Columbia, In which onlce one OF his
first duties was to prosecute Daniel Z. Slcliles
for killing his predecessor, Mr.. Key. He en-
countered In the trial, among other counsel,
Messrs. Brady and Graham, OF New York, two
OF the most eloquent and effective criminal
lawyers of their day, and Edwin NJ. Stanton,
afterward Secretary of War, and man OF
hS o s ARRAY ns Of he
sustained himself and his case, by common
consent, with learning, skill and power
lie held the ofllce of District Attorney until
after the Inauguration OF MIR. Lincoln. In the
ensuing spring he wont with his family to
Virginia, of which his wlfe was native, and
pointed Assistant Secretary OF War TO Score.
tary BENJAMIN, holding the appointment until
Mr.. Beniamin was transferred to the state
drawn up ard signed by GEN. John A. DIX and
General d. II. Hill, on behalf of the respective
belllgerents, July %, 1862, ho was appointed
mi 10 laY IA N anf nf ayn IA an
position tbehceforward until the close OF the
war. For his efforts to mitigate the rigors OF
prison life and his humane treatment OF pris-
oners he received the highest commendation
both North and South. 1.-THE surrender of the
Confederate forces, on tho occupation OF Rich
mond, he offered his parole TO General
Grant, who generously declined to take 1t,
saying he did not consider an officer of the
Exchange Bureau subject to capture, and, ac-
cordirgly, instead of treating him as a pris-
oner, gave him passport aud an escort to
Richmond, where, however, at tho expiration
OF about ten days, he was arrested by order OF
Secretary Stanton and thrown into prison,
from which he was not released until the
lapse OF two months, having been meanwhile
indicted for treason, deprived Of his official
papers and tried by military commission,
which, though 'organized to convict" tri.
umphantly acquitted him. This closing pas
sage IN his military experiences he imputed
to the yindlctiveness OF Mr.. stanton, with
whom he hudsa very sharp and bitter personal
encounter In the trial Of Sickles.
After the war Judge Ould entered upon the
practice OF the law at Richmond, Va. He ad'
dressed TO the public several communications
vindicating the action OF the Confederate
| States, In respect TO the exchange OF Prison
| ers. Judge Ould was for' some time president
| OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
| Railroad, resignlng tho position tn June, 1881.
| He was a fine orator, and ranked with the best
| lawyers Of Virginia.
MIR. oulds title OF Judge was obtained by
acting as 1udge.advOcate In military courts
| martial during his residence IN Georgetown
| Deceased was twice married, his first wife
| being Miss Turpin, OF Richmond, by whom he
| leaves three children, and tho second, Mrs
| Handy, Of Baltimore, who survives with one
child. Messrs. Lancaster and Elisha Ould, OF
| Baltimore, and MIR. George Ould, OF Cumber
| land, Md, are brothers, and Mrs. Edwin Hig
| gins, OF Baltimore, and Mrs. Sarah A. TlltOn
| OF Fort Reno, Indian Territory, are sisters o
| the deceased,