The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-27
GENERALJA JAMES CONNER.
Death I'm Richmond or Distin.
guished Soldier ana Statesman
Of South Carolina.

General James Conner, OF South Caro-
lima, whose extreme Illness was mentioned
in our last issue, died Mt 2:20 yesterda,
morning at the residence OF his father-in.
law, John Enders, Esq. Fifth street, west
side. between Main and Franklin. The
deceased gentleman was born i'm Charleston
September |, 1922 and aftera careful train
ing entered the South Carolina College al
Columbia, from which he was graduated
with high honors. He prepared himself fol
the law under Mr.. James l.. Pettigrew, and
in 1854 entered upon his profession. In q
few years he had built up good practice
This he resigned to enter the mill
tary service OF the State. He formed 9
company and Joined the Hampton Legion
iand at once developed a military instinct
and fitness for command which, with his
excellent judgment and calmness Of mind
made him an officer to be relied upon and
looked up at in all situations OF danger
He rose by quick steps from captain to
major. from major TO colonel, and from
colonel to hrigadier-general, and just rs the
war closed 2lior-general's commission
had been written out for him.
lie was wounded at Mechanicsyille in
1862 in the beginning Of the seyen-days'
movement by which Lee. concentrating
his troops upon McClellan's long-drawn-
out line, hurled them from their strong
works back to the shelter OF their gun
boats in James river. His wound was
in his leg, and was severe one
but by good surgery and careful
nursing it was saved from amputatiOn.
He was prompt as possible in returning to
I,,t,- Il al Iot - off Ia,
the real battle was over, and when there was
only desultory firing, he was struck by q
spent shell and wounded in the same leg as
at Mechanicsvile. He was put IN blanket,
and four men took the corners to carry him
from the tield in which duty one was
| killed and two knocked down by the eX-
plosion OF a shell. Nothing could now save
/ the limb, and il was after some time ampu-
tated above the knee.
The war over, his duty as 4 soldier
well done, i'm great favor with all who had
served with him in the army, and having TO
rely upon his own efforts for support. he
resumed the practice OF the law with great
activity and with admirable success.
In 1866 he was married 10 Miss Sallie
/ EnderS, eldest daughter OF John Enders,
! Esq.-a marriage Of true love and atlec-
| tion-and they went to Charleston to live.
| He became associated with Hon. W. ID.
Porter in the practice OF the law, and the
| firm was Porter a Conner. Refusing all
| inducements to enter politics, he steadfastly
pursued his profession until 1876, when,
| finding his beloved State in the midst OF 4
crisis scarcely less perilOus than that OF
1861, he accepted the nomination for At
| torney-General. and was put on the ticket
with General Hampton.
In all the anXieties, eXcitements, respOn-
sibilities. and dangers OF that campaign,
| General Conner was looked upon as a lead
/ er the equal Of Hampton. His qualities as
| commander again asserted themselves,
ard i'm the majestic repose Of his mind and
| in the eXcelency OF hls judgment the
masses placed almost infinite confidence.
! lie was elected Attorney-General and
served a year. and then, seeing the path
plain for his State, he resigned, intending
/ to devote the remainder OF his days to the
work Of the law, for which he was so wei
/ fitted and which he found 80 cOngcnial tC
| his tastes. lie was made receiver OF the
/ Columbia and GrcenvIlle railroad, and so.
/ licitor and counsel for the south Carolina
railroad; both Of which were positions OF
! influence and importance, demanding a
/ high degree OF tact and talent, and Yielding
/ handsome incomes.
It is thought that the campaign Of 1876
severely taxed his health. Certainl! from
| that time till his death he was never en-
tirely well; but il was only year ago that
his physicians, finding him suffering from
/ a stubborn lung trouble. ordered him 10
| cease from active labor and 10 take up his
/ residence at Summeryille, a town twenty
miles from Charleston. on the South Caro-
| lima railroad. in a climate dry and hcallhIul.
with airs. coming over the sands, fragrant
with the odors Of the pines. His family
and physicians believed that his health was
greatly improved at Summeryille. and
about three weeks ago he and his wife and
/ four OF their children came on TO Virginia,
and were stopping here at Mr.. Endcrs' :
preparatory 10 trip 10 the Springs. when
General Conner was attacked by some
thing like pneumonia, which rapidly drew
his life 10 q close.
| He was conscious 10 within two hours OF
his death. and was aware OF his condition
and resigned TO the will OF God. though he
would have been more than human if he
could have parted from his devoted wife
and children without great pangs.
He had long been an attendant upon the
/ Episcopal Church, and had the Offices OF
| that Church in his last hours. He leaves a
wife and five children four girls and one
| boy. The eldest child, Henry W., is SIX
teen years OF age, and is student at the
Alexandria High School.
/ General Conner's body will be taken TO
] Charleston, i'm which city the funeral Will
! take place. and the inteyment will be made
at Magnolia cemetery, one OF the lOyellest
| burial-placcs in this lard.
Colonel Anderson has rendered as fune-
ral escort 10 the train the officers OF the
/ First regiment, and has invited the officers
OF the HowitZers and Blues to JON them
/ in front Of DR.. IOge's church at 2:lj this
afternoon. The body will 20 TO Charleston
4 on the faSt-mai train.
/ Than General Conner South Carolina
scarcely had a more eminent citizen.
/ There was no position in the gift OF the
neoule that could not have been his. He
was modest. unassming, pleasant in his
manners. and had a mind OF uncommon
mower. holding himself under superb SELF
control. Hi, record as a soldier was bril-
liant. but not more so than his brief and
unsclfsh political career. The courage,
Judgment, promptness to act, and know
/ ledge OF men that made him successful in
one cave HIM eminencc in the other.
With all Of life's duties so well done, il
can hardly be doubted that now "he sleeps
we'll"
The Democratic Convention.
To have things entirely regular, the
nresident and secretary OF each OF the
| - . ,..,,.I u,oetin0S that recentlv