Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-10
Death of Col. John +. Cameron.

UO0tAA u NOfs SOnn Es cameron.
Colonel John Frayser Cameron
breathed his last at 2 o'clock this
morning. The event was not unex.
pected to his immediate family and
circle of friends, but the news was a
surprise to the public. Although his
health has been failing for a year OF
two, he held up bravely and was seen
upon the streets almost daily until
near the end. Colonel Cameron was a
man of very decided and command
ing traits of character. He was born
at Buffalo, New York. in the month
Of August, 1870, and was therefore in
his forty-second year. He was OF
pure Scotch descent. At the age
of ten he was sent to live
with his grandfather, Captain Fray.
ser, a retired officer Of the English
army, in Canada. The father of this
gentleman was a Colonel under Lord
CORVALLIS at the surrender of York
town. Hence Colonel Cameron came
naturally by his military tastes. His
early training under his grandfather
from ten to twelve, and the education
be afterward received at a military
college, which he was attending when
the war broke out, specially fitted him
for the command of men. He enter
cd the Southern army from Memphis,
and was elected Captain of
the Young Guard. which became
a part Of the Third Confederate
regiment early in 1861. Under his
command this became one of the best
drilled companies in the service. He
handled his men like regulars and led
them into a fight with as much pre-
cision as if marching out for dress
parade. He was engaged in many of
the battles Of the Western army. At
one time he served as aid.de. camp on
General Hardee's staff, and in that
position mustered into the Confeder-
ate service nearly all the Arkansaw
troops. At the battle of Shiloh he
was slightly wounded. Shortly after
terward, at the battle of Pennington.
while leading his company as a
skirmish line in front of the
dashing Marmaduke's brigade, he
and a number of his men were cap
tured. He was taken to General
Pope's headquarters and detained
several days. Seeing signs of an import
ant movement, he escaped through the
lines and overlook Beauregard's army
on the night of its memorable retreat
from Corinth. Shortly afterward he
was promoted to Major, and at the
battle Of Murlreesboro he was pro-
noted to the rank of Lieutenant Colo
mel for ~gallantry on the fold. Early
in the war he was transferred to the
cavalry branch of the service. At one
time he commanded the post at Rome,
Ga, when it was an important point,
If not the key to the whole section Of
country from Dalton to Atlanta.
Since the war he has been a quiet
hard working citizen but from love Of
the military has been prominent in
connection with local companies. First
as First Lieutenant Of the Chickasaw
Guards, whom he drilled for their
first competitive contest at Nashville.
He afterward organized the Bluff City
Grays which caused a spirited but
friendly and healthy rivalry. During
the yellow fever of 1873 be, with his
company, the Grays, took charge of
the camps and OF tn city. In 1879
at the request of DR.. Porter he was
appointed by Governor Marks to take
charge of all the local companies here
and although in bad health he
left his family at Clarksville and
promptly responded. During the
stormy times Of that period be had
virtual charge of the safety OF the
city, and held down the turbulent
elements that always rise when the
civil laws are suspended. He was
somewhat OF a martinez, but it was
from a firm conviction of duty and a
strict view Of the necessity of military
discipline. Under all circumstances
he was perfectly cool. If fear ever
entered his heart, as it must in all
truly brave men, he concealedit under
a calm exterior. He submitted to
discipline and enforced it like a true
soldier. In private life he was aifable
and polished in manner, and when
drawn out he displayed evidences of
much culture and always expressed
himself in we'll chosen and felicitous
language. During the two great cpl.
denies he rendered invaluable service
to the people of this city, for
which he was never requited
sufficiently, and he gave OF his
means with the utmost liberality to
assist the needy. He leaves a wife
and six small children to mourn an