The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-09
He WAS BRAVE AND TRUE
General R E. Lee Considered Him One
Of His Most Valuable Brigadiers.
HIS CAREER A LONG AND uslFUL ONE
He Served His State Well Both in War and
Peace, and Was Loyal and True to His
Friends and Family. A Member
Of Episcopal Church.

W @PlotVPdt SHusIHs
To the Editor:-The tidings of
the passing away this morning or
this excellent man will be received with
a pang Of grief all over this State and
in other parts of the Southern country.
A man who stood the peer of the very
best of his hrigadiers in the opinion OF
Gen. Robt e. Lee, expressed to num-
Der Of his staff shortly before Appomat-
OK, and who rose to that position with
out early military training and wholly
by his merits as a soldier could have
been no ordinary man; and one, who
by the quiet discharge of his duty as
husband, father, neighbor and citizen
in such manner as to win the confidence
and esteem of all who knew him, illus
trated the best citizenship of the State
much more than many who enjoy who
have enjoyed her highest honors.
William CASTOR Lewis was born on
the Bird of September, 1885, in the town
of Warrenton. if the writer mistakes
not. His father, DR.. John Wesley
Lewis native of Edgecombe having
married Miss Catherine A. Battle, sis
ter Of the late Judge VIM. H. Battle,
began his professional life as physi-
elan in Warrenton, whence he moved
to Raleigh, where the early boyhood OF
his third son. CASTOR, as he was al
ways<called, was spent. When he was
but six years old his father died, leav-
ing a widow and six children to care
for with but little means for their and
her support Young as CASTOR was and
though he lad two older brothers, he
realized ami acted upon the princi-
pie that mothers happiness is in her
child's keeping, and his devotion to her
from that time until her death thirty
years afterwards. her comfort and hap
plness were ever chief aim in his life.
OF remarkable physical vigor and ami
NAL spirit as child and youth he
would have often gone astray but for
the restraining influence of his love for
her.
HIS CAREER
His school life in Raleigh was prin-
cipally under Mr.. ]. M. Lovejoy, one
of the leading teachers of the State, but
his mother removing to Chapel Hill
when he was about thirteen years old,
he completed his preparation for coli
lege in the village school, taught by Mr..
Jos. b. Lucas, afterwards an instructor
in the University. He entered the Uni
versity when he was little under six
teen and graduated with honor in 1855.
At college, as at school, he commanded
the admiration of his associates by his
lxindnes of heart his conspicuous cour-
age, and truthfulness, his easy bearing
and his skill in every manly pas
time. An optional course in civil en-
gineering in the senior year was estab-
lished while he was a student, and be-
ing more fond of mathematics than his
other studies. and preferring an outdoor
life, he selected that course and became
a civil engineer. His first regular en-
ployment, however. after graduation
was as a school teacher in Wonana,
Florida About 1853, however, he
sought and obtained employment in
surveying land for the United States
Government in Minnesota remaining
I'm the field until the SHOWS of winter
4 made surveying no longer practicable,
when he moved to st. Paul for office
work and preparation of his reports to
the Government. He returned to North
Carolina shoY thy before the war begun
and assisted in building the railroad
from Rocky Mount to Tarboro He
volunteered in the Edgecombe Guards
as soon as war became imminent and
was a lieutenant Of the First North
Carolina Regiment in the first battle at
Bethel. From then his courage and
self-posession were conspicuous in
every battle i'm which his command was
engaged. On the organization of the For
ty-third Regiment, North Carolina
troops in March, 1862. Capt. Thomas S.
I<enan was elected Colonel, and he,
though not of the regiment. was chosen
as Lieutenant Colonel. Between them
they made it one of the first regiments
in the service, there always being har-
nony between them in it's drilling and
management. At Gettysburg Col. Ken
an was wounded and made prisoner
and Lieutenant Colonel Lewis became
its commander. His skill as an engi-
neer gave hum an advantage not pos
sessed by many and he was afterwards
detailed to throw UP breastworks- along
the line Of defense. This and his cool
ness under fire attracted the confidence
and regard Of that splendid soldier,
General Daniel, who commanded the
brigade, and when he was mortally
Rounded he expressed wish that Col.
wis might succeed him The brigade,
Sever, was assigned to the gallant
pes, but Lieutenant Colonel Lewis
soon recommended for promotion,
4 anu after the battle of Plymouth was
made Brigadier General, skipping the
rank Of Colonel. He was several times
wounded and in skirmish on the re-
treat from Petersburg, near Parmele,
he was so desperately wounded that he
became unconscious from the loss of
blood and his aide left him for dead,
and his death was reported to his
friends at home. He was resusciatat-
ed, however. by the ready skill of old
DIR. James Phillips, of Farmville, to
whom his gratitude was afterwards
shown by naming a son for him.
BECOMES A PLANTER.
After the war General Lewis became
successfully an express agent at Char
iotte. Superintendent of the Raleigh
and Gaainn Railroad Cninnanv Prnsi.