Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-03-03

Early was Virginian. He was born
In Franklin county In 1885, graduated at
West Point, served with the regulars in
Florida, and with the Virginian volun.
teers in Mexico, and at the first Bull Run
led brigade. In his second battle. Will
iamsburg, Va, May g. 1852, he was Sc
verely wounded, and did not resume his
command until the battle of Cedar Noun
tain, Aug. 10, 1862. He fought at sec
ond Bull Run and Antietam, and had he
good fortune to command the line IN
Marye's Hill which checked the Union
advance at Fredericksburg In May, 1856.
At Gettysburg he commanded q divi-
sion in Ewelps corps and led the sa, :.
troops in the Wilderness campaign of 1854
up to the battle of Cold Harbor. After
that battle he was sent to Lynchburg to
oppose General David Hunters attack
upon that important position. After re-
pulsing Hunter he planned an invasion of
the border states. General Lee gave him
full discretion In the matter, and with
1900 men according to Confederate his
torians) he crossed the Potomac at Shep-
herdstown the first week in July. Grants
army lay at that time in front Of Peters
burg, fully engaged In the effort to in
close the place with besieging lines.
mo5emente w ere Rapid
So rapid were Early's movements that
the Washington authorities had no fore
warning of the raid. Maryland was in a
state Of terror. The president called out
the militia of the eastern states, and after
considerable urging Grant sent the Sixth
corps from Petersburg to Washington.
On July Early defeated a force composed
of the garrison of Baltimore and di-
vi nf IA VI nd
eral Lew Wallace, at Monocacy Junction,
Nd. and Immediately marched to the
gates of Washington.
Meanwhile his cavalry detachments
threatened Baltimore and destroyed the
railways north Of that city, but the delay
caused by those operations was fatal to
Early's plans 1t was the 18th before he
was ready to attack the Washington de-
fenses. and then reconnaissance showed
him that they were garrsoned by veterans
of the Army Of the Potomac. He aban-
doned the movement and returned to the
Shenandoah valley.
Sheridan soon confronted Early In the
valley with troops from the army at
Petersburg and defeated him in two bat
ties, at Opequon and Fishers Hill, Sept.
10 and 20. But on Oct. 10 Early surprised
Sheridan's camps at Cedar Greek and
came very near redeeming the valley
from Union control. Sheridan saved his
army by the memorable ride from Win.
chester and stirring appeal to his
troops.
At the opening of the spring campaign
In 1865 General Custer defeated Early at
Waynesboro, and Lee WAS compelled by
public opinion to select another com.
mander for the Confederates in the val.
ley.
General EarIy's Romance.
After the war General Early practiced
law in Richmond and New Orleans, and
was associated with Beauregard in man
aging the Louisiana lottery. He died
bachelor, having had his first romantic
love affair spoiled by the fckleness Of a
northern girl whom he rescued frorr
drowning at While Sulphur Springs dur
Ing his cadet days.
The lovers were engaged, and the lieu
tenant was anticipating happy termina-
tion to the romance when his hopes were
blasted by the receipt OF newspaper con-
tanning the notice of the marriage of his
charmer with q northern man. He put
aside the uniform, with its hateful asso-
Citations, and left the army until wars
alarms summoned him to the battleflelds
of Mexico. After the Mexican war he re-
turned to civil life.
In 1867 General Early published Q me-
moir Of his campaigns. He was for q
time president of the Southern Historical
society.