Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-03

others. that the Shareholders had the
superannuated and ubserviceable negroes
summarily Killed and buried "Jube" de-
nounced il as a slander. and when the
society adjourned vigorously assaulted
Joe" The story is ludicrous one, as
General Early was wont TO tell If.
AS a LAWYER.
Young Early was graduated in 1897 as
second lieutenant of artillery, and was
soon after ordarsd to Florida, where he
served for several months in the Semi
mole war. There were no railroads IN
the West N hose days. and the troops
were returned rom Florida on boats
across the Gulf and up the Mississippi
aud its tributaries. At what was then
Rosss Ferry, now Chattanooga, Lieu
tenant Early resigned his commits
sion in thu army and returned to his
native county of Franklin, Virginia,
Whers he studied law and entered upon
Il successful practice of that profession.
Although he was reserved In manner and
never sought popularity. his force Of
character and intellect were such
that he rapidly secured the confidence Of
his county people. lie was appointed
Commonwealth Attorney by the Court.
and represent Il Franklin county for two
terms in the Legislature During the
Mexican war he rendered his services
aud was appointed by Governor Smith
IL major in 4 Virginia regiment His
regiment aid not arrive in time TO par
tiCipatc actively in any of the principal
battles After the capitulation of the
City of Mexico, Major Early was APP
pointed Military Governor of Monterey
and discharged .he duties of this trust
for several months. The exposure Of the
service I'm Mexico brought on the rheu-
matsm from which his body was bent,
and ever after presented the pathetic
picture with which most everybody in Nir-
gnia Is SO familiar.
lie returned to the practice OF law In
Franklin county, and under the altered
Constitution Of 1850 the office Of Com
monwealth's Attorney was made elective
by the people and he was again chosen TO
that position by the popular suffrage.
\ LIFELONG WHIG.
In January. 1861. ne was elected mem
Der of the so-called Secession Convention
over a candidate who advocated the
disruption OF the Union. Having been
lifelong Whig of the most conserva-
tive type. he ranged himself In that body
with such men as Ballard Preston, Ro-
bert T. Scott, John Janney, and Robert
y. Conrad In opposition TO the secession
element He was the most extreme
Union member Of the body. and the last
TO sign the ordinance of secession, en-
tering upon the Journal the reasons that
induced him reluctantly to yield his OBJ
iections. on the cay the ordinance
passed. the nth Of April, he was APP
pointed by the Governor "a staunch oppo-
nent Democrat in former days of General
Early's political views colonel in the
Virginia forces and placed upon com
mission to enlist and organize the Nlr-
ginia troops. lie was soon afterward ap-
pointed to the same rank in the Con-
federate service, and went TO Lynchburg
where as commander OF the post ne mus
tered into service the companies organ
lied in that section OF the state.
When ten of these were mustered In he
requested 10 have them consolidated into
the Tw enty-fourth Virginia Regiment ana
TO be added to his command. This
was done, and he at once reported win
his command At Manassas. In the AZ
fair at Blackburn's Ford Of the 18th or
July he commanded brigade as rank
ing colonel and acted as support 10 Long
streets brigade without being actNey
engaged On the 2ist the brigade was on
the extreme right Late in the progress
OF that doubtful conflict he received or
ders 10 march his brigade 10 the scene
OF action. nine miles distant by rapiu
marching he reached the scene at the
very crisis Of the battle. and depioying
on the extreme left out-hankei the at
taclSing column Of the enemy ana de-
cided the fate )f The day. Despite the
graphic and familiar narrative OF the
decisive blow being struck by krpy
Smiths troops arriving at 1ouble-quick
at the fateful moment, the indisputabie
truth OF history IS that this credit De-
longs mainly TO Eaily's brigade. whicn
went 10 the left Of Kirby Smiths ana
turned the cnemy's flank. whereupon the
stampede ensaed. In recognition OF his
services on this occasion he was made
brfgac.er-genaral.
SEVERELY WOUNDED.
In the retreat up the Peninsula bei0rs
Mcclellan. la the spring OF 1862, Eafiy
Brigade rendered conspicuous service. ana
at the battle OF Williamsburg he was Sc
yerely wounded and incapacitated for
service But after two or three months
OF medical treatment. with characteristic
obstinacy he reported for duty against
the remonstrance Of his physicians. When
after the seyen-days battles around Rich