Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-06-11
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The brave Misslssippians, under their gallant
leader, made good their resistance until they
could be reformed beyond the reach Of the bat
teres. At o'clock Gen. Pettus, now present
as member OF the senate. came to the relief
with his brigade, and the Confederate line held
It's new position until after dark.
Gen. Thomas, in his report, says the resist.
ance by Walthall was Stubborn" Gen. Bragg
characterizes the resistance as desperate" ard
the impartial historian writes 1t as brilliant
and desperate"
What was left OF this brigade from this ter
rlble aght-ab0ut COO effectiyes-on the after
noon OF the next day was thrown across Mis-.
sionary Ridge to protect Hardee's left flank in
retreat, and held the position until ordered
away at o'clock that night.
In this fight Gen. Wathall received severe
wound in the foot but left neither the field nor
the saddle, enduring severe pain with stole for
titude rather than discourage his men by re-
firing lie was confined six weeks BY this
wound
| Upon the retreat OF Hood from Nashville,
when lie was pressed hard by Thomas REIN
| forced and aggressive column, he sent for
| Lieut.-Gen Forrest and asked him If he would
undertake to protect the retreat Gen. Forrest
i replied GIVE me the major general OF In
fantry shall choose and will undertake 1t"
| Out OF that army of brave veterans he selected
Walthall, and 1t Is unnecessary to repeat here
| tho courage, the skill, the heroic daring that
marked the defense Of the retreating C0nfed-
| crates until the army had crossed the Tennessee
river
Moreau's military reputation was made more
| glorious by his retreat through the Black Forest
than by the victory OF Hohenlnden; so this
retreat shed as nperishable glory upon Forrest
and Walthall as any won by their most splendid
victories
When the occasion demanded man OF ada
mantine frmness unialtering courage and en-
during patience Wathall met the necessity.
| In politics Senator Walthali was conservative,
prudent and cautious, not given to experiment
but never allowing a difference Of opinion to i'm
pair his ildelityto his party.
| He did not like joint debates, so usual in the
South, and, in fact, did not often speak In polti-
cal campaigns.
lie was delegate to the national conventions
in 1868 1876, 1880 1854 and In 1896 and In four OF
| them, by common consent, he was chairman Of
the delegation
As senator he was devoted to the interest of
OF his constituency, both in legislation in which
they were concerned and in any private matters
which would properly come before him. He
was constant in attendance on committee meet
ings and industrious and scrupulOus In perform
| ing the work allotted to him. He was always
present at the sessions of the senate. and when
his health became so feeble in 1891 that he
doubted his ability to give his usual attention
to the performance of his duties he resigned his
seat for the balance Of his term-about fourteen
months. His high standard of duty would not
allow him to hold an office when unable to fully
perform its functions.
While he did not often speak in the debates in
this chamber, bis advice was often sought and
highly valued.
lie had great respect for law, for established
authority. He was loath to disturb the regular
order of things, respected usages and customs,
was not in any sense an innovator, and had the
qualities that better fitted him TO suppress q
revolution than to lead one.
lie was just in allowing to every one all to
which he was entitled, yet firm in the insistence
Of his own rights He was particularly jealous
OF his military reputation and never permitted
any disparagement Of it, even indirectly, to pass
unchallenged and uncorrected
Tributes of adminiration to his Intellectual
endowments, to his resolute and valiant heart
Of his moral and Intellectual nature, his soft
ness and polish OF manner with no trace OF form
alty. always genial and accessible, although
full OF quiet and simple dignity. and hrs talen,
and requirements, will be paid by others in
strong and clear outline for these were his grea,
characteristics as public man and this charac-
ter he has left, proud heritage TO his country
men, to be embalmed in their hearts and by their
.I / q Ip1 in fba biptn nf nuti
who thus delights to honor her illustrious dead
but the leading features OF his character, to
those who knew him when he unbent from the
cares of public lie, can be given their true valu-
alton by his intimate friends only.
Among these the living and transparent graces
OF his well regulated mind and heart, his PEN
sive cheerfuness, the quick and kindly re-
sponsiyeness OF his nature oyeriowing with
gentleness and sympathy, attracted the coldest
and most insensble soul.
Friendship existed In him in its loyeliest pro-
portions; it was one OF the profoundest emo.
tions of his heart; and this relation, when
founded on real worth and once established
knew no bounds nor dlmlnution.
lie discerned no weaknesses no shortcomings
in the man he called friend In its amplitude
he listened to the voice of his heart alone There
seems 10 nave peeh alar-feachihs depth ot per-
sohai IDENTITY OF Individuality, "hlch drew men
10 nun whose aheclioh was soon lost In the
aoysses oil MS deep heart' Inc conStancy OF his
own ieeiiHs met WIN tnat warm ana faithful
devotion WHICH he gave In such iuliheSs ana Sc
generously.
lie was the 'dol oi MS soidlcrs VINO followed
MN win uhpounued enthusiasm. lie was theiI
inspiring ie"uer Ill odS'le; IN inc hospital around
Tue camp hie' lie was 'helf comforter, thelr pro-
ector' ana "heh peace came, ana the darS
waters Oh 'hat soffowiui deteat roIied IN and
ofo"heu every nope oi the southern heart, he
was the'l s'''',ui".o' W he" NE uhuef changec
cohu'iohs' lie iorsook them not IN their al
NeIsu! anu oesPohuehc!. lie recaiieu lheil
noeii's' tneir courage theif hopeiess struggle
he reh'eioereu .ne uesoia'ioh Oh their pal'le
se"i'eu ''"u' anu MS hoo'c iie"rt gave 10 'heh
ol hs strepsth anu HIS hope' so mat Whei
"ai'hall 5 haine was spoken among lheih' I'M
prIeht example he was giving them Oh resur
fec'eo prosperity resulting from earnest en-
ocavor' oi success OF the hishest nature, thel
look heart ana heid nm IN war as In peace
'heif guiuihs spirit III IS not uihlcuit ior an!
man VINO knew senator Nallnal 10 comprenen(