The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-29
Death of Albert Pitt Bennett.

Richmond Dispatch Saturday.
Colonel Albert Pitt Bennett, one OF the
principal editorial writers on the State
newspaper, since its establishment III this
city eight years since, breathed his last at
twenty-five minutes after | O'Clock this
morning, sat his apartment at the Ameri-
can hotel. after brief illness of ten days,
eliminating in pneumonia. His many
friends in Virginia, Louisiana, and Penn
sylvania will read with unfeigned regret
the sad announcement of the swapping of
the life span Of this singularly gifted jour
naliSt at the comparatively early age OF
fifty-four years.
lie was IL native of Venango county,
PENNSYLVANIA where his mother and other
relatives still reside. He was influentially
connected, but like many another Ameri-
can youth, he early struck out for himself,
and had partially learned the trade OF q
printer when the tocSin OF war sounded in
1876 for the Mexico conflict. He left his
native village in the seventeenth year OF
his age, full of enthusiasm for the scene of
strife. He served with credit to himself
in numerous battles in Mexico, and made
the acquaintance and gained the friend
ship of many surviving historic comrades.
He never thereafter permanently resided
in his old Pennsylvania home. but settled
in New Orleans, where he was at various
times connected with the Delta and other
noted papers of the Crescent city. During
his long connection will the New Orleans
press his services were always in demand.
His versatility and general ability was
something uneXampled in the history OF
journalism there OF anywhere else.
In the war between the states Colonel
Bennett from the first warmly espoused
the cause of his adopted state of Louisiana,
o,,1 nffianr of q N nW (lr-
leans company to do battle for the confed-
eracy on the first sign of war, participating
in many bloody battle during its contin-
uance, including those of COrinth, BelmOt
and others. 11B WIS
The conclusion of the war found deceas-
ed in Norfolk. Va, where he was employed
in the editorial conduct of the Norfolk
Journal and Norfolk Vargia5on1. leading
papers there. Some time in 1866 he was
induced to remove to Richmond, where he
for time acted as correspondent of the
New Y Ork Times and other leading papers
north, and did editorial work on the Rich
mond Examiner. Afterwards besides con-
tributing to various northern publications,
he was principal editor of the Ere'eie9
| State Journal. Leaving that, he found
more congenial employment in editorial
work respectively on the Richmond Wig
and Richmond Enquirer both of which
! for some time received their impetus and
derived their standing from his able pen.
His connection with the State, founded
by John Hampden Chamberlayne, had eX
| listed nearly during the entire life of that
journal, continuing, as it did, after the
death of the lamented Chamberlayne Will
Richard F. Beirne, Esq, itspresent owner
and editor, till its sad termination this
morning by death. Deceased leaves ;
widow whose loving care Of him eyel
marked her as one of the best of women
and whose anguish at her untoward an(
sad bereavement may be imagined but moi
described.
Deceased, though genial and companion
able to rare degree, was not wanting il
dignity or self-assertion. He had many
| friends and no enimies. His newspaper
accomplishments, gained mostly by obser
walton and reading, a mind OF NATURALLY
superior ardor, and rare memory, made
him one of the most ready and versatile OF
writers.