The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-29
BROTHER OF SEN. VANCE
HE WILL BE BURIED WITH MA
SONIC HONoRS.
THE FUNERAL TO TAKE PLACE THURSDAY
General vance's Life in the Confederate Army,
the State Legislature, Congress, the Church
and the Masonic Order Was Filled
With Labor and Honors.

Asheville, n. c., Nov. 2S.-d dSpecial.) -
General Robert b. Vance died at his
home at Alexander, near Asheyille, this
morning after lingering illness, of dia-
betes. The General was seventy -tyo
years old. He will be buried with Ma
sonic honors Thursday afternoon.
General Vance was a brother of Sen
ator Zebulon Baird Vance. He served
with distinction in the Confederate army
and afterwards for thirteen years as
district.
The first news of General vance's
death was received here yesterday after
noon by telegram to Mr.. John C.
Drewry, Grand Master A. E. & A. NJ,
from Mr.. ]. II. Drakeford. w M. The
telegram said Past Grand Master Rob
ert Brank Vance died this Tuesday
morning, and he will be buried tomor-
row Thursday afternoon AZ Asheville,
with Masonic honrs.
Gen. Robert Brank Vance was a
brother of Senator Zebulon Baird Vance.
He was born in Buncombe county on
DIR. Robert b. Vance, who was killed
in duel with Samuel r. Carson. Octo-
ber, 1927, at Saiuda mountain. :. q.
In 1S4S he was elected clerk Of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for
Buncumbe county. This position he held
for eight years, then declined reelection
to enter the mercantile business in
Asheyille.
II L
company, Buncombe Life Guards, and
was elected captain of it. Then when
ten companies were mustered az Ashe-
Vile he was elected colonel. This was
the 29th North Carolina regiment. Col
0nel Vance commanded it at the battle
of Murfreesboro and in several engage
ments of Cumberland Gap. His horse
was killed under him at Murfreesboro,
and he was complimented for gallartry
by General McCown.
In 1863 Colonel Vance fell i'll with
fever and his regiment was sent to Mis-
sissippi He never commanded it again.
While i'll with fever he was commission
cd Brigadier General by President Davis.
When, several months later, he returned
to the service he was assigned to duty
in Western North Carolina, and in
January, 1864. was captured in Cook
county, Tennessee, by the Federal
troops. He was kept in prison the. rest
of the war. first at Nashville, then
Louisville, Camp Chase and lastly at
Fort Delaware. He was finally released
ON parole by President Lincoln, that he
might secure clothes for the Confederate
prisoners. He was not allowed to come
South but made a trip through the North
and secured large amount of clothing
and $4,000 in money, which relieved Il
great deal of suffering among his com
rades.
At the close of the war General Vance
represented Buncombe District in Con-
gress for thirteen years.
General Vance served in Congress con
tinuously from 1872 to 1888. At the
Congressional convention at Asheyille
in 1884, he declined a denomination,
withdrawing his name.
On April 18th, 1885, the President ap-
pointed him Assistant Commissioner of
Patents, which position he held for
several years.
He has served several terms here in
the Iegislature-the last III 1893. After
that he retired to private life and has
devoted himself to his farm and his
books.
General Vance was twice elected
Grand Master of the Masons in North
Carolina, and he has also been several
times honored by his church-the NJ. Il.
Church South. He has been many times
a delegate to the General Conference.
In 1879 he was one of the Cape May
Commission that settled the property
question between the NJ G. Church and
the NJ E. Church, South The College
of Bishops also appointed him delegate
to the Ecumenical Methodist Conference
in London in 1881.
A life full of labor and of honors.