Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-02
biographical.

General Daniel Ruggles, whose death is
announced i'm this issue OF tne DiG;atch.
was born at Barre. Mass. in $50, and
was member of the distinguished family
of that name, descended from an eminent
English ancestry. who held high civil and
military positions from the reign of Ed
ward l.. and fought under the Lion
Hearted Richard in the Holy Land lie
entered West Point as q cadet July ],
1929, and graduated June 90. 1893, AS
brevet second lieutenant, United states
army. July IL, 1893, he was assigned 10
the Fifth Regiment, United States lnfan-
try. lie served in the Seminole war in
Florida in 1896 and 1910, and was promoted
second lieutenant July, 1898. He served
through the war with Mexico, and was
promoted major for gallant conduct at
Cherebusco. He was breveted lieutenant
colonel for leading the forlorn hope and
storming the fortress at Chapultepec, and
participated in the battle which resulted
I'm the capture Of the City of Mexico.
General Ruggles I'm early life married
Miss Rlchardetta Hoe. of King George
county. Va, whose three brothers died
In fighting the battles of their country
two in the navy. and one in the army.
She was granddaughter Of George Ma
son. of Gunston Hal, who was the au-
thor of the Virginia Bill Of Rights.
CAME SOUTH.
Notwithstanding his northern birth and
relationship and long service in the
United States army, when Virginia Sc
ceeded General Ruggles at once unhesi-
tatingly resigned his commission in the
United States army ana rendered his
services to the State of Virginia, on the
high ground which he maintained to the
Il, 4at. t..a
were entirely within their constitutional
rights in leaving the Union.
lie received a commission from Gov
ernor Letcher, and was made briga-
dier-general on the same day with Stone
wall Jackson, and assigned to the COM
mand of the Border District of Virginia,
with headquarters at Fredericksburg.
He rapidly organized the department
and when the Pawnee, with other war
vessels, appeared in the Potomac, they
were repulsed by the undisciplined mi
litia Of Stafford, with their ships riddled
and disabled and an admitted loss
Of 100 men. He was afterwards com
missioned a brigadier-general In the Con-
federate army and soon thereafter pro-
NOTED TO major-general He fought in
the battles of Santa Rosa Island ana
Pensacola. He commanded a division at
Shiloh. Pennington. Iuka, Baton Rouge
Port Hudson, and Cool Water. He was
with the expedition to Okalona, and par
ticipated I'm the battle of Atlanta.
SKILL IN STRATEGY.
Throughout this long. arduous, brilliant
career. he was noted for skill in strategy
wisdom in council, and heroic daring
I'm action.
In Fredericksburg. where ne had lived
eIa Of
find a man or woman of any color that
did not bow with reverence before the old
General.
lie was at one time Superintendent Of
Public Schools in that city. whose affairs
were managed with signal ability.
General Rugg.es was appointed one OF
the Board of Visitors to West Point by
President Arthur. and was also member
of the Board Of Visitors TO the University
Of Virginia under Governor Cameron.
He was an ardent follower OF Bryan in
the last election. His property in the
North was coniiscated during the civil
war and a reward offered for his capture.
General Ruggles was here on furlough
at the time of the Dahlgren raid, and made
his way on foot to escape capture, TO the
Plank road. near Hurkamp's tannery,
where he was oveitaken By the late Mrs
Bode who, seeing him pass her house on
foot. secured horse for him. which he
mounted and was soon beyond danger
General RUggles at one time was one OF
the largest landed proprietors in the
United States. being the sole owner OF
the celebrated Palo Fox grant Of 10000
acres in webb county. Tex.
He was one of the original discoverers
OF the celebrated copper deposit
of the Lake Superior Region. and was one
of a syndicate who took up all Of the land
upon which the present cities or st. Paul
and Minneapolis now stand.
During the civil war General Ruggles
was reported killed in one of the battles.
and a column and a half notice was given
of the event in the New York Tribune
written bv Horace Greeley. Among his
,ast utterances were the following 10 an
old comrade in arms: Il hear the roll
call and without fear answer the
summons OF our Great Commander"