The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-05-08

am district. Minister To Portugal. and
Governor of New Mexico. Reared ON a
farm, Leonidas first attended neighbor-
hood schools. and then the famous school
Of William J. Bingham. He entered the
State University in June. 1850. and grad
uated with honor four years thereafter.
His university career gave high promise
of usefulness ard distinction. Twenty
years old he entered college. he was Il
young man Of fixed principles and becom-
ing self-respect. He was a leader OF his
class and in the Dialectic Society.
The writer. a friend and classmate. we'll
remembers him as dignified. without re
serve, and proud. in the proper sense OF
the word, without vanity or conceit. He
was affable to all. and especially consid-
crate toward those younger than himself.
Recognizing this, Governor Swain. the
President OF the university. valued him
very highly as one who was unconsciously
aiding him in the government OF the in
stitution. In speaking OF him and his
Younger brother, since an influential
State Senator. President Swain said they
were excellent specimens Of what plain.
pious home-raising on the farm would do
for young men.
Leonidas Merritt made a high mark
Go & 1"h tRAiA ttt' ~ iA' = 49,
society. No member of his class could
fairly contest the palm in debate with
him except Thomas Newton C~rumpler,
who also lost his life on one of the Viz
ginia battle-felds, falling in the front OF
the fight. a gallant major of a North Car
DINA regiment.
Young Merritt. became an able law
yer. Upon the call of President Lincoln
for troops, the Legislature called a con-
vention to take into consideration the rel
ations of the State to the Federal Gov
ernment Merritt became a candidate as
delegate. and was elected over able and
distinguished competitors. With the 9TH
er members he signed the ordinance of
secession.
On his last appearance in the conNen-
tion he took his seat in Confederate uni
form. with his arm in a sling from a
wound by a Mimic ball. He was then very
near the end of his noble career. When
the convention adjourned he Immediately
rejoined his command. The battles around
Richmond quickly followed and in the
dreadful charge Of Magruder at Malvern
Hill he was pierced by n fatal bullet.
Governor Vance said about what the
State did:
by the general industry and thrift
of our people. and by the use of a num-
Der of misunderstanding steamers. carry
ing out cotton and bringing in supplies
from Europe, | had collected and distrib-
uted from time to time. as near as can be
gathered from the records of the Quarter
masters Department. the following stores:
Large quantities Of machinery supplies,
&C, 600 pairs Of hand cards, / 0 1000 grain
scythes. 200 barrels bluestone for the
wheat growers, shoes and leather for
go. 600 pairs. 80, 900 blankets, gray wooden
cloth for at least go. 000 suits Of uniforms,
y, 900 overcoats ready made), 1000 best
Enfield rifles with 100 rounds Of fixed am
munition), 100, 900 pounds of bacon, 500
sacks of coffee for hospital use. $50, 900
worth of medicines at gold prices. large
quantities Of Iubricating oils, besides
minor supplies Of various kinds for tho
charitable Institutions of the State. Not
only was the supply of shoes, blankets,
and clothing more than sufficient for the
supply of the North Carolina troops, but
large quantities were turned over 10 the
Confederate Government for the troops Of
other States. In the winter succeeding
the battle of Chickamauga. | sent 10 Gen
eral Longstreet's corps 1900 suits Of
clothing complete. At the surrender or
General Johnston the State had on hand.
ready made and in cloth. 90, 900 suits or
uniform, with great stores Of blankets,
leather, etc. To make good the warrants
on which these purchases had been made
abroad. the State purchased. had on hand,
in trust for the holders II 900 bales OF
cotton and 100. 900 barrels of rosin. The
cotton was partly destroyed before the
war closed; the remainder, amounting to
several thousand bales, was captured
after peace was declared, by certain Of
fcers Of the Federal army.
In addition to these supplies brought
in from abroad, immense quantities OF
bacon, beef. flour. and corn were furnished
from our own fields. | was told
by General Joseph E. Johnston that when
his army was surrendered he had in the
depots in North Carolina, gathered in
the State, five months supplies for CO.
coo. and that for many, many months pre-
vious General Lees army had been almost
entirely fed from North Carolina
NJ. V. Moore. Auburn. Ala. reports
these engagements il North Carolina by
Continued Oh 4th pa9c.)