Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-06-11


Davis, Lamar, George and Waltha, names not
to be forgotten, but ever potent to evoke re-
spect admiration and affection. Today the
senate suspends its usual business to speak in
eulogy OF the latest mourned OF these renowned
statesmen.
Edward Cary Walthall was native Of Rich
mond, Va, born April 4, 1881, of an old and
honored family. While boy his father moved
to Holly Springs, Miss, where he received an
education in an academy at that time cee-
brated, lie began early the reading Of law and
commenced practice at the age Of q, at Coffee
vile, Miss.
Four years afterward he was elected district
attorney for the Tenth judicial district, and
was re elected in 1859, serving until he resigned
TO enter the Confederate army early in 1881
His service in that Office was able and brilliant,
and While an effective and vigorous prosecutor.
he became popular iavOrite.
His face and person were exceedingly hand
some, his courtesy winning, his intellect bright
and quick, his manner energetic, and his rise at
the bar to distinction rapid.
At that time there were no railroads In that
part of Mississippi, and the bar at each court
house was marked by ability as lawyers and
great good fellowship. The circuit was made
by attorneys in private cOnyeyances, attended
by servants, and the business of the coSrts,
made interesting by the conflict Of learning and
wit, was also frightened by the generous hos
pitality of the local bar and the citizens of the
respective towns. In the goodly company no
man could hope for either professional or social
success without the aid of intellect, learning,
integrity and honor. Amid these congenial
spirits the young district attorney was il his
element, and his good qualities were amply
recognized, and present success and reasonable
expectation melted him TO harder study and
higher achievement.
In the spring of 1861 he was elected the first
lieutenant of Company II, Fifteenth Missis-
sippl Shortly after the organization of the
regiment, on the 18th of june the lieutenant
colonel resigned TO accept the appointment of
surgeon, and Lieut.. Walthall was elected
lieutenant colonel This regiment did brilliant
service at Fishing Greek, or Mills Springs, in
kentucky, and here he won his spurs by a
splendid display of that cool intrepidity which
became the striking characteristic Of his career.
On the nth OF April, 1862, he was elected col
onel of the Twenty ninth Mississippi Infantry,
On the 3Oth OF June the same year he was ap-
pointed brgadier general. to take effect the
posed of the Twenty-fourth, Twenty seventh,
| Twenty ninth, Thrteth and Thrty-fourth
Mississippi Infantry.
| On the 9Th OF June. 1864 he was appointed
ajor- general. His division was composed Of
the brigades Of Gems. Quarles, Canty and Reyn-
| olds.
Seven days after his appointment as major
| general, Lieut.. Gen. Leonidas Polk, the bishop
general, was killed at Pine Mountain, and three
names were sent to Richmond 10 be considered
as his successor These were the names OF
Mai. Gen A. 7. Stewart. MAJ. .-Gen William b.
Bate and Maj.-Gen. L. G. Walthall.
| speak now with great pleasure OF an Incl
dent that, in this world OF struggle and rivalry
especially in military affairs, has rarely oc'
Cured.
GEN Bate and Gen. Walthall wrote letter.
warmly ndorsng Gen. Stewart for the promo
ton. and magnanimously retiring lhemseye:
from consideration. They presented the fact.
of the seniority aud military education of Gen
Stewart, and would not permit their names tC
be used in competition with him. Both thest
men had gallantry won the substantial honor
and would have been justified in at least allow
Ing the executive to weigh the merits of al
three
The modesty OF Gen. Bate, now a dist!n-
guishcd member of this senate, Is only equaled b,
the yalor his wounds s>test and will not permit
him TO mention this episode, as honorable t
him as his ieats OF arms.
OF this magnanimous act Gen. Waltha
rarely spoke hut those who knew him best car
imagine the honorable pride with which he un
sehshly rellnquished all claim to the prize.
After the close of the war he returned to Cof
feeyiile, Miss, to resume the practice Of his pro
fession in association with l.. 2. C. Lamar unit
January, 1871, when he removed to Grenada.
When the distinguished Lamar was appointed
to the cabinet by Mr.. Cleveland March 4, 1885
Gen. Walthall succeeded him by appointment
and was elected In January, 1886. for the unex
pred term, was re.ekcted In 1883 and again II
1892. Directly afterward his health .Decam,
very feeble, and, living up to his high sense o
public duty, no resigned In January, 1894, hi
position for the balance Of that term. He hat
already been reelected for the term beginnln,
March, 1895, at which time he re e-entered tn,
senate to meet the welcome of his former asso
ciates.
1t is not my purpose to follow the course o
Gen. walthall through the several campaigns
in which ho was actively engaged nor to de
no took conspicuous part, but 1t Is proper t,
mention few of those which particularly dis
played his soldierly qualities.
The battle OF Lookout Mountain which ha
been so exaggerated as the battle above tn
clouds" in the fervid Imagination OF poetry an,
In the cold mendacity Of prose, particularly dis
tinguished the untlnching courage and tn
calm intrepidity Of Gen. Walthall.
TN,., Ala d. Hat H.. r.~l., L..
that came up from the valley.
Walthalls brigade OF 1900 mon were ordere
to hold the position occupied BY a pctet pos
extending from Lookout Creek up the vide o
the mountain. continuing across bench TO tn
clf. The road BY which relief must come o
retrea. be mada. AS well as the position, wer
sNept w Ihe ere Of the Federal batteries ot Par
satE ssps on Meccaslu rplnt Zee. hpoksr d