Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-01
JUBAL ANDERSON EARLY.
From the First to the Last Day OF HIS
Life He Was His states Champion.

Life He Was His States Champion.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
a few days ago one of the most re-
markabe men Of this country passed
from earth.
Jubal Anderson Early died in his home
in Lynchburg on Friddy night March
2d. in the 18th year of his age.
He was born in Franklin county, Vir-
glna. graduated at West Point. served
as n lieutenant in the Florida war, re-
signed his commission in the army,
studied and practiced law. In 1916 went
TO Mexico as major Of the Virginia volun-
teers. on return OF peace with Mexico
he resumed the practice of his profession,
and was accounted one Of the ablest
members Of the Virginia bar. the leaders
Of which feared to encounter Early be
fore a court more than any other lawyer
in the state.
In the Secession Convention Early op-
posed that action with earnest force But
so soon as his State resumed the powers
she had delegated 10 the Federal Union,
he maintained her right to do 50 with all
the energy of his nature.
From the first TO the very last day or
his life he was her steadfast champion
In the First Manassas. as colonel OF the
Twenty-fourth Virginia Infantry, 1t was
Early who seized the critical moment OF
the battle. and, without orders, passed
beyond the left OF Kirby Smith, turned
the right flank Of the enemy. and caused
the rout OF his army. In the battle OF
Williamsburg his conduct was conspicu-
ously daring and effective until he was
shot down. when his regiment, organized
and disciplined by him. continued under
% bril- ~
duct to the close Of the battle. extorting
from the Federal commander cordial
praises.
"IMMORTAL."
The French princes, then upon McClel-
lan's staff, declared "the Twenty-fourth
virginia should I'm future bear ImmortaF
upon its banners"
Ii is beyond the scope Of this sketch to
recount the subsequent services OF Early.
Under Johnston and Jackson and Lee
at Fredericksburg. in the Valley campaign
Of Jackson at Spotsylyania. Chancellors-
Vile at Gettysburg, Second Manassas
Cold Harbor, and in every battle OF the
great Army Of Northern Virginia Early
and his command were conspicuous for
energy, daring. and success.
Until the last year Of the war Lee,
boset by Grants great army, and threat
tnti bS the Columns OF tiulltI anu ph'li-
dan H. his rear, detached Early with 5000
infantry and a small cavalry force under
McCausland TO meet Hunters army This
he did upon the very verge OF Lynchburg
and drove in rout out Of the State.
Returning he moved down the Valley
hoping TO encounter Sheridan, who had
advanced as far as TreWllian's on his
road to Richmond. when Hampton de-
feated him, and thus saved our capital.
Early then boldly marched upon Wash
ington city. on July 10Th he brushed
away General Lew Wallace's forces,
which disputed his passage Of the Mono
cacy, and upon the llth arrived in sight
Of the city, with a force, all told, Of 5000
men.
Two Federal corps were drawn from
the army in the field, and occupied the
stony defences of the city before Early
could get into them.
lie then marched into the fertile country
OF Pennsylvania, whore h. levied tribute,
and made reprisal for the devastation
inflicted upon his own people and kindred
by Hunter and other marauding gene
rails
Sheridan. having baen largely rim
forced. was encountered by Early's ever
diminishing forces At Kernstown, Win
chester Fishers Hill. Cedar Greek.
rate armies Of Lee and Johnson. it was
worn out by victories at bloody cost. Jack
son himself did not fight so many battles.
did not attack more boldly. nor encounter
odds az great as Early did in this re-
mariSably audacous campaign. He never.
cXcept On the MOnOcacy, fought only
equal numbers.
And in his battles with Hunter AMI
Sheridan he fought twice his own force,
sometimes more. And thus he KEEP. over
JJwD men from Grants army, and en-
abl,d Lee to protract his defence several
months
HIS PEOPLES CAUSE.
Since the war General Early has been
maintaining the justice of MS peoples
cause.
Finding himself debarred from the
practice OF his profession In the Federal
courts, his means were greatly narrowed
until he and General Beaur2gard We're
offered large salary 10 take charge Of
the drawings of the Louisiana lottery
He considered carefully this proposition
and his duty under it. and decided TO
accept it and to aid as much as he could
the impoverished people of his state and
kindred.
During his life none knew the large |
generosity OF the man. He lived frugally |
gratitude of the deserving poor his bounty |
clad and fed.
His receipts from the lottery i'm the past I
twenty years amounted 10 100000
His estate remaining in his hands at I
his death scarce amounts to 10000.
lie made no will. believing that the law /.
OF his State makes the best will.
There now remains nine heirs to inherit
from him.
When he and Beauregard We're selected T.
by that lottery company to give assu-
rance OF the fair drawings no such odium
attached to it as has since sprung up.
Lotteries were as old as history, and good
men In all ages had used them for good
purposes.
And now We have laid him to his rest 4
amidst the booming OF cannon and the 2
sad strains OF the soldiers requiem. In
his cerements OF Confederate Gray we
bore him to the spot where his line OF
battle lay that evening he defeated Hun
ter's army
And there we left him as the setting !
sun was gliding the Peaks Of otter and /
the blue Virginia mountains he loved so
we'll
Who speaks lightly OF this grand SOL
der's conduct is ignorant of his coun-
try's history. Who assails this dead
mans personal character Is no Christlan.s,
A