The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-02-18

r.
\S:LA.EN%. condition for some
days had been critical and the end
hourly expected. From the Nezos and
Observer we take the following sketch
of his life and services:
The annals of North Carolina have
been adorned by the illustrious services
Of many admirable sons, and among
these General Scales deserves to rank,
whether we have regard to his civil
life or his military career. While not
achieving fame by the splendor of Or
atorical displays or the brilliant scin-
tillations of uncurbed genius. he per-
formed his part we'll in every field Of
action, adorned high station, and after
many years of public service retired
with a spotles name and the good
wishes of the entire State. He was a
manly man, self respecting, lofty in
his sentiments, Jealous in the discharge
of duties, and answering in his devo-
ton to truth, right and justice.
Gen. Scales was born in Rocking
ham county in 1928. He graduated
at the University, and studied law at
Chapel Hill under Judge VIM. H.
Battle, and began to practice in 1853.
He at once took the same high po-
sition in his county which the men of
his name had held among their fellow
citizens for generations. His senti-
ments and early associations led him
to espouse the principles of the Dem
ocratic party, and he ever remained
a consistent Democrat of the strict
construction school, confining the op-
erations of government to the narrow
est limits and allowing to citizens the
most uniettered liberties.
Soon after coming to the bar, he was
elected to the legislature, and there
gave evidence of that political acumen
which, in later years, distinguished
him among our North Carolina states
men,
In 1856 he was elected to represent
his district in Congress, where he took
high stand, being much admired by
his party friends, but after the expira-
ton of that term he devoted himself
exclusively to the practice of law, until
the war came on in 1861. He was
then solicited to become member OF
the State Convention. But he deemed
that his place was in the ranks of the
army.
He enrolled himself as soldier and
on May 10th, 1861, became Captain
Of Company H, I 9Th Regiment, North
Carolina Volunteers, of which Pendel
was elected Colonel. On October TO-
of that year, Pender having been ap'
pointed Brigadier General, Scales wa:
promoted to the Colonelcy, and it i:
hazarding but little in saying that ir
courage, in devotion, in taking care o.
his men, and in promptness of action
he was equal to the best of his grade
The 9Th Regiment was assigned te
Pender's Brigade, and on Pender':
promotion to be Major General, Scales
on January 18th, 1868, was promoted
and was assigned to the command o
Pender's old Brigade; and in thi
more responsible command, he dis
played still more conspicuously those
qualities which had won the confidence
and affection Of his soldiers. He neve
spared himself. Dangers were disre
garded in the discharge of duty. Or
countless battle fields he displayed
that heroism and devotion which Sc
greatly characterized our North Caro-
lima soldiery and made their nam'
immortal.
Scales Brigade, composed of tn
13.h, 10Th, 22nd, 34th and 5Sth Nortl
Carolina Troops, was noted for 1t
steadiness, its tenacity, its pluck ant
endurance, and he was the worth.
commander of that heroic brigade
He was wounded at Charlottesville
and Gen. Pender, in reporting tn
fact, added and thus | was deprived
of as gallant a man as is to be fount
in the service" And he was agar
seriously wounded at Gettysburg, ant
often made hantfTeadth's escapes iron
deadly peril.
After the war he resumed the pratlc
of his profession, and in 1874, hi
disabilities being then removed, he wa
elected to Congress, and for ten year
remained a member of that body
honored by his associates at Washing
ton, and having the full confidence O
his people, which was manifested b
their appreciation:
There was nothing ofthe demagogu
about Gen. Scales, but on the contrary
he ably and with candor and franknes
discussed public questions from tn
standpoint of principle, and he abide'
in the faith of the fathers.
At length in 1884, when Governo
Jarvis's splendid administration wa
drawing to a close, the Democrat
party of the State turned to Ger
Scales as chief among their illustriou