The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-08
IN MEMORY OF GEN. M'LAWS.
VETERANS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR
HONORED DEAD.

Night by the Confederate Veterans
Association in Memory OF fhcir
Iatr Honorary President, Gen.
Lafayette McLaws-A Concise and
interesting Biographical sketch
Presented by the Committee With
suitable observation-disclosures Paid
to Their Noble Commander by
Veterans j. r.. sRussy, Judge Roo
ert FaIIisnnt, Gen. 6. VI. sorreI
and Gen. p. McGIashnn.
The memory of Gen. Lafayette
AIcIaws was honored by the Goa
federate Veterans Association of
Savannah at meeting heid
for this purpose at the hail of the Savan-
nah Volunteer Guards last night There
was good attendance Of the veterans,
besides a few ladies and other non-mem-
bers. As president and honorary presi-
dent Of the association since its organza-
ton and as its most distinguished MEM
Der. Gen. McLaws held a high place In
the hearts and minds of the veterans, who
esteemed him for his honesty and sin
cerity of purpose, as well as admired him
for his honorable career Of soldier
picture of Gen. McLaws, Surrounded in
mourning, occupied the place of honor on
the platform.
The regular order of business was quick
~ gone through with. after which the
memorial 10 Gen. AfcLaws was presented
and read by the chairman of the commit
tee. Col John Screven. The memorial
presents in brief and concise form COM
plete and interesting biographical sketch
of Gen McLaWs and is, therefore pre-
scented TO the readers of the Morning News
entire;
The memorial IS as follows:
IN MEMORIAM.
Lafayette McLaws. major general in the
army of the Confederate States, was born
in the city of Augusta, Ga. jan 15 1921,
and departed this life in the city of Sa-
vannah July "a, 1897.
Completing his grammar school course
in his native city, he entered the Univer-
sity of Virginia in 1888; but in the first
year of his matriculation was appointed
a cadet IN the West Point Military Acad-
envy. Among his contemporaries here
were the confederate generals Beauregard,
Thomas j. Jackson (StOnewalD Long
street. Hardee, A. P. Hill, Gustavus w.
Smith d. Fl. Hill, Mansfield Lowell, Rich
ard II. Anderson. Among the federal
generals. Mcclellan, Grant, w. T. Sher-
man, Thomas. Pope. OF the first, Gus
tavus W. Smith, D. II. Hill Mansfield
Lowell and Richard II. Anderson were his
classmates. Graduated in 1912, he was as
signed to the Sixth Regiment of United
States Infantry. His earliest military ex-
perience was in the Indian warfare on
the western frontier. Ordered to Texas
on the outbreak Of the Mexican war, he
was present a the occupation of Corpus
Christi, in the defense of Fort Brown, in
the capture of Monterey, and in the re-
duction of Vera Cruz. On account of i'm
M ann COLI N.m aTsN la
recruiting service; but from 1S49 to 1851
was acting assistant adjutant general in
New Mexico, then the Ninth military de-
partment. In 1853 having meantime been
promoted captain, he was in the Utah ex-
pedition, under Albert Sidney Johnston.
and In 1860 served in the campaign against
the Navajo Indians.
On the secession of his native state,
Jan. Is, 1861, he resigned from the United
States army. Feb. / following he was
appointed major of the First Regiment of
Georgia regulars, Col William p. Har-
dee commanding, and was detailed in
charge of the post at ThundeTbolt, near
Savannah. Here he remained until about
June l. Becoming soon after, June H.
colonel of the Tenth Georgia Regi-
ment, he served with distinction
in the operations in the Virginia
peninsula. He was commissioned briga-
der general Sept. % following. and May e.
1862 major general in the provisional army
of the confederate states. In the battles
about Richmond, June and July, 1862, he
led his division in the severe engagement
at Savage Station, and again on the bloody
slope of Malvern Hill He was not present
at the second battle of Manassas plains,
but was assigned the important duty Of
watching the enemy, lying at Harrison's
Landing on the James. Subsequently re-
joining the Army of Northern Virginia,
Gen. McLaWs marched with il into Mary
of her he
sailed and carried Maryland Nights. end
so completing the Investment of Harper's
Ferry, forced the surrender of that strong
hold with its garrison of 1LO00
men, and seventy-three pieces of artillery
and large amount of small arms and mil
ftary stores. Hurrying thence with his
hungry and weary division, he reached
Sharpsburg on the 18th, in time TO stay
the exhausted troops of Jackson and Hood,
and to strengthen and maintain the con-
federate line of battle. Resting in the
interval with the Army OF Northern Vir-
ginia, until its movement to Fredericks-
burg. his command there sustained and
repulsed the main assault, and held the
key to the splendid victory at that place,
Dec. b. 1862.
In the great triumph at Charlottesville,
May l, ? and 8, 1853, Gen. McLaws, holding
the right of the confederate army by Wig
oFous attacks diverted attention from
Gen. Jackson's mastery sweep
around the federal right flank
and then turning led his
division in the brilliant repulse at Salem
Church. Gen Richard II. Anderson's divi-
sion uniting with his, they drove Sedge-
wicks corps across the Rappahannock
and thus relieved the confederate flank and
rear. At the battle of Gettysburg, he led
his division in the fierce and successful
assault an Sickles' corps and other forces,
in front of the nights of Round Top.
In the battle of Chickamauga Sept 19, %,
two brigades Of Gen. McLaws' division
participated; but the general himself and
the two other of his brigades. although ar
irving too late for the main action, imme-
diately led in pursuit of the enemy and at
great hazardh pressed on virtually alone to
the fortihcations in front of Chattanooga
Serving in the subsequent operations in
the vicinity Of Chattanooga until Gen.
Longstreet's corps was detached 60 meet
the operations of Burnside in East Ten
nessee, he led, under orders, the in-ad-
vised and disastrous assault on Fort
Saunders, Knoxville. Nov. IT. 1863.
Gen. McLaws was assigned to the COM
mand of the military district Of Georgia