The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-03-10

For long time it was thought the
old warrior was improving, but his
great age, rs years, was too much
against his chances, and he gradually
weakened during the last week until
the pallid messenger with the inverted
torch beckoned him to depart. ,
BIOGRAPHICAL
[Gen. Early was one Of the most picturesque
survivors OF the Lost Cause" He was ma
tive Of Franklin county, Va, where he was
born November g. 1910 Like so many others
who afterward attained distinction under the
flag OF the confederacy, Gen. Early was D grad
uate of West Point Shortly following his grad
uation in 1857 he was appointed o lieutenant OF
artillery and assigned to duty at Fort Monroe,
Va
The Floridn war broke out the same year, and
after about twelve months service he resigned
and began practicing law. He served In tho
legislature, and was twice elected common
wealth attorney.
During the Mexican war he was major OF q
regiment of Virginia volunteers and for q
short period was acting governor OF Monterey
When the civil war broke out Gen. Early was
practicing law. He entered the service OF the
confederacy as a colonel He commanded
brigade at Bull Run and distinguished himself
at the battle OF Williamsburg, where he re-
ceived what was ut that time regarded rs
mortal wound. He recovered. however, and In
o remarkably short time was again in active
service. He was promoted brigadier general
and in May, 1853. commanded the division that
held the lines Of Fredericksburg while Zee
was fighting the battle OF Chancellorsville.
lie also commanded division ut Gettysburg
In 1864 he was ordered to the valley OF tho
Shenandoah where his operations were at
first successful In July he crossed the Po-
tomac, gained the battle Of Monocacy and for
q time threatened Washington, but was obliged
to retreat. Toward the end OF tho month
portion OF his cavalry advanced into Pennsyl-
vania as far as Chambersburg, which By his
orders they burned.
Gen. Early during this campaign several
times met Gen. Phil Sheridan. to his sorrow
He was defeated at Opequnn and again AZ
Fishers Hill. three days later. 1t was on Oc-
tober l9 1851 that he surprised the federal
forces at Cedar Creek. in the absence OF Sheri-
dan when the arrival of the latter on the
scene turned a veritable rout into brilliant
victory for the Union army.
Gen. Early received another overwhelming
blow In March following. where no was
whipped by Gen Custer at Waynesboro. This
defeat lost him his command in the Shenan-
doah valley. Gen. Lees letter relieving him
OF his command was a model of courtesy
"Your reverses in the valley, of which the pub
lie and the army judge chiefly by the results"
wrote Gen. Lee have fear, impaired your
influence both with the people and the sol
dIers. and would greatly add to the difficult
ties which will. under any circumstances.
attend our military operations in south
western Virginia. While my confidence in
your zeal, ability and devotion to the cause is
unimpaired. have. nevertheless. felt that 1
could not oppose what seems to be the current
opinion without injustice TO your reputation
and injury to the service"
After the close Of the war Cen Early spent
some time In Europe. and on his return re-
sumed the practice Of law in Richmond. After
he accepted the management OF the Louisiana
state lottery. in conjunction with the late Gen.
Beauregard, his residence was alternately In
Lynchburg and New Orleans.1