The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-17
DEATH OF GEN. WIN. n. PENDLEToN.
General Lees Late Chief or Artillery Passes
Away nc His Home, In Lexington-Sketeh
or His Life.

| or His Life.
LEXINGTON, Va, january 1G.--General
nley. Dr.) William N. Pendleton, late
chief OF artillery OF the Army Of Northern
| Virginia; and rector OF Grace Memorial
church Of this place, died suddenly at his
home here last night at TX O'Clock.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Tin the death OF General Pendleton there
has "crossed over the river" another who
occupied conspicuous place in the grand
old Army Of Northern Virginia, who was
an ornament to the pulpit, man widely
known for many noble traits OF mind and
heart, and one OF the men who was ever
true 10 country, to cross. and to duty.
Born in the good old county OF Hanover.
General Pendleton was reared amid the
refining influences OF old Virginia society
in its palmest days, and at an early age
entered the Military Academy at West
Point. Here he roomed with that man Of
giant intellect Albert Taylor Bledsoe, and
had as his companions and friends among
the cadets such men as Jefferson Davis, K.
T.. Lee, Albert Sidney Johnston, j. f.
Johnston, John Il. Magruder, Leonidas
Polk, and others whose names have shone
in the galaxy OF American soldiers.
Graduating among the highest in his
class, he was assigned 10 engineer duty,
and did some faithful and effective work in
that department, until he decided that it
was his duty to enter the ministry, and
begun course OF preparation FOR the So
cred calling.
He occupied several important pulpits,
but for some years prior TO the war he was
rector OF the Craze Episcopal church in
Lexington, Va, where he had wide field
Of usefulness among the young men OF
Washington College and the Virginia Mill
tary Institute.
General PenGletOn was man OF HIGH
scientific attachments, wrote several noted
books on science. and was at one time the
able president OF Newark College, New
jersey.
At the breaking out Of the war the quiet
rector was asked to accept the captaincy OF
the afterwards famous Rockbridge Artil-
lery. and after prayerful consideration he
decided to do so, and entered at once upon
the active discharge OF his duties.
His battery was attached TO the brigade
Of bis old tOwnsman Il. j. Jackson, and
the thunder OF his guns on the plains OF
Manassas (where it is said he gave the COM
mand, "Steady, men; sight your pieces
we'll: may this kill thousand. and may
the Lord have mercy on their souls ~ did
not a little to win for the brigade and its
grand commander its immortal SOubriQuet
Of Stonewall."
Captain PendletOn was now rapidly pro-
NOTED until he commanded regiment OF
artillery, and then reached the important
position OF chief OF artillery OF the Army
OF Northern Virginia. The efficient or
ganization which the artillery OF this army
attained was largely due to his ability as
an organizer, his peTsevering efforts. and
his influence with his old friends General
Lee and President Davis. General j. T..
Johnston had so high an opinion OF him rs
an organizer that when he took command
OF the western army he applied for General
PendletOn to organize his artillery.
As chief OF artillery he had the conf
dence and friendship OF General Lee, and
the fact that his only son Qhe gallant, dis
| tinguished. and lamented Colonel A. s.
PendletOn) served on the staff of Jackson
made his relations with that great soldier
very intimate.
At Appomatt0X he was selected to break
! to General Lee the opinion of the corps
commanders that the time had come for
negotiation with General Grant: he was
one Of the council of war with Longstreet,
j. b. Gordon, and FitZ. Leg which de-
cided the question, and ore OF the COM
missioners which General Lee appointed
to carry out the terms OF surrender.
| After the surrender he returned TO his
home, in Lexington, and resumed his du-
! ties as rector OF the Episcopal church, and
continued in their faithful discharge Save
when interrupted by sickness) up to the
| time when he gave up his cross and went
to wear his crown.
When General X. +. Lee moved TO Lex
| ington in October, 1865, to assume the
presidency OF Washington College, his old
clasSlnate and army cOmrade became his
pastor. and the friendship OF years was ce-
mentcd into beautiful affection.
| General Lees last public act was TO pre-
| side over n yestry-meetlng, use his inilu-
cnce. and make liberal contribution, in
! devising the means OF giving his pastor q
more competent support.
| When the great chieftain was laid away
beneath the chapel he had builded, amid
| the tears OF the weeping multitude, DR..
! Pendleton read the funeral service with
tremulous tones and suppressed emotion.
He has been largely instrumental in the
erection OF the beautiful Lee Memorial
church. in whose recent completion he so
greatly reioiced; and he was president Of
| the Lee Memorial Association, whose Ia
bors have eliminated III the mausOleum,
which is to receive the splendid creation Of
! Valentines art the recumbent figure OF
Lee, TO whose unyeiling next June he was
! looking forward with such eager delight.
But {" the Captain OF his Salvation has
ordered him to "strike his tent" and he
has gone to Join his great chieftain in that
blessed land Of rest which is undsturbed
/ by ''war's rude alarms"
OF broad culture, wide charity, cvangeli-
cal spirit. and devoted piety, Dr.. Pendle-
ton had warm friends outside OF his own
communion. and will be sadly missed in
the town where he lived so long, in his
native State. TO which lac was 50 devoted.
and in the land he loved 50 well and served
so faithfully.
lie will sleep well in the beautiful Gene
terry at Lexington, beside his noble son,
hard by where old Stonewall" bivouacs,
and in sight OF the mausoleum in which
K. L. Lee will repOse, and all who visit
these honorcd tombs will pause to east
some flower on the grave Of the soldier
who was faithful to cross and to country,
and now wears the yictor's " crown Of re-
ioicing."1