Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-28

his active life has been that OF Sergeant
OF this city, editor, Second Congressman
and Chief Justice OF Wyoming, IS justly
proud OF his services as such war cor
respondent. for not only was he the cor
respondent OF the Southern Associated
Press. which then included, as l nave
stated, every southern daily. but he
found time 20 write specially for the
Enquirer. then printed by Tyler & Ale
gree. and the Examiner. owned and
edited b. John NJ. Daniel. but also for
the Dispatch, owned and edited by
Cowardin * Hammersley, and he num-
bered among his friends Of that day the
late James a. Cowardin, one OF the most
loyal OF southern editors, and one OF the
most agreeable and companionable OF
men.
But instead Of giving my own view OF
his services, or how he rendered them
though as a Mississippi soldier, | remem-
Der him as such around this, his native.
old town. I will give few extracts from
letters IN Mr.. Sener's possession.
AN IMPORTANT POSITION.
Major ]. H. Capers. Of your city. who
was then the adjutant OF Major ID. 3.
Bridgeford the provost marshal Of the
Army Of Northern Virginia, says:
my recollection OF first meeting you
/
ordered 10 report to Major d. b.
Bridgeport. provost marshal OF the Army
OF Northern Virginia, as his assistant
and adtutant I met you as agent or
the Southern Associated Press. and as
long as ] was connected with General
Lees headquarters, which was until the
surrender Of the army at Appomattox
Courthouse. I had daily intercourse with
you. and you viii say that, though long
\ larH civ hot inn -
the pleasant memories and friendships
| formed between US have only frightened
and become deeper as the years 60 by.
"As the army correspondent OF the
/ Southern Associated Press. you filed a
/ position honorable. delicate. and import
/ ant You were active and untirng. and
| your courteous bearing and gentemany
/ demeanor challenged and retained the
/ respect OF all the bhicers Of the army
| with whom you came In contact. Your
means OF obtaining information seemed
to be Of that character that but few men
! possess or had.
'Tn my official capacity IT became ne
] cessary that all kilograms sent from the
army, other than those OF a military char
acter, had 10 be submitted for my
scrutiny and inspection, and during the
whole time that you were associated with
/ our headquarters at Hamilton's Crossing.
! Orange. and Culpeper Courthouse, and
the various movements OF the army after
] the investment OF Petersburg, I never
/ had you to present a dispatch that l did
| not find accurate truthful. and reliable.
/ In fact, so guarded were you in furnish
] ing nothing but reliable news, that, while
/ IN charge Of the posts just mentioned, l
! issued instructions 10 the military tele-
graph TO forward all messages OF yours
when presented, II not cOuntersigntd by
myself. as i was frequently called away
/ 10 other stations IN discharge Of my Of
! fetal duties. You had the confidence
/ Of all at our headquarters-Major Bridge
! ford. provost marshal, esteemins ycu
most highly Your general department
| and character We're such as entitled you
| 10 the fullest confidence and esteem OF
/ all those with whom you came in con-
! tect."
| FROM COLONEL WALTER TAYLOR.
Colonel Walter II. Taylor. who was
/ General Robert T.. Lees adjutant-gene-
raj, says:
! 1T affords me pleasure 10 say that I
| recall wildly your visits 20 army head
/ quarters when you were acting rs press
! correspondent, and your invariably az
/ fable department. whether In c0mmuni-
/ eating something OF interest from other
/ fields Of activity, or I'm searching for
l items concerning the results OF our own
/ movements. / was impressed with the
idea that you refrained from following
sensational lines. and appreciated the fact
that one I'm your posi.~pn could only at
tain success by careful adherence TO au-
| thenticated truths and In the discreet
/ FORMULATION only Of these.
The foregoing shows how wen Mr.
! Sener acquitted himself On the judgment
/ of military men. What follows will give
r.lsH.. ar
men as to the value and efficiency OF his
| services
FROM EDITOR TYLER.