The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-20
SUDDEN DEATH OF
GENT RAJ TT. TOON
Continued from page ID

important engagements, unless deferred
by some OF the five wounds received in
battle. After the war, he lived in Robe
son county, N. c., from 1891 until elected
State superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton, 1900. During this time he twice
served his county in the Legislature, once
in the House and once in the Senate.
AS a soldier, he won great distinction
for gallantry, being repeatedly honored.
and was finally commended by General
r. e. Lee His promotion TO the rank OF
Rrigadier General was won by gallantry
in action. He was wounded five times In
battle, and had two horses shot under
him. At the close of the war disabled
by wounds and broken In health, he was
cared for at the home of Colonel Cole
man, Ia Concord
The following extracts, taken from the
Official records of the Union and Con-
federate armies, published by the United
States Government, give an idea Of Gen
eral Toon's military career:
Report OF Brigadier Gneral Alfred Iver-
son. C. S. A., during the Charlottesville
campaign:
Col, r. f. Toon earned well deserved
distinction for his courage and conduct
in this, the first fight of his regiment
since his promotion to the colonelcy."
report dated May Is, 1859.
Col T. F. Toon, Twentieth North
Carolina, was wounded while fighting his
regiment CALAMITY in the front line"
(Report of same General later on same
day, May 10, 1862
Report of General Lee to the Secretary
of War.
Headquarters Army of Northern Vir-
ginia, May ii, 1864
''Sr: Yesterday evening the enemy pen
etrated part of our line and planted
his colors upon the temporary breast
works erected by our troops. He was
Immediately repulsed: and, among the
brave men who met him. the Twentieth
North Carolina, under Colonel Toon, of
the Brigade commanded by Brigadier
General r. d. Johnston, captured his
flag 1t was brought to me by Major
John s. Brooks, of that regiment, who
received his promotion for gallantry in
the battle OF Charlottesville, with the
request that it be given to Governor
Vance. l take great pleasure in COM
plying with the wish of the gallant cap
tors, and respectfully ask that it be
granted, and that these colors be pre-
sented 80 the State of North Carolina as
another evidence Of the valor and devo-
tion that have made her name eminent
in the armies of the Confederacy"
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A r. E. LEE, General.
Hon. Secretary of War, Richmond, Va
On June 4, 1864, an order was issued by
. General Lee, assigning "Brigadier Cen
eral Thomas F. Toon to the temporary
command of Johnston's Brigade. Rodes
Division, EwelPs Corps
The following information Is taken
from the history of the Twentieth North
Carolina Regiment, published by the
State:
General Toon was wounded at Cold
Harbor. Charlottesville, spottsylvania
Court House and Petersburg"
After the war, for sixteen years Cen
eral Toon was in the employ Of the At
lantic Coast Line Railroad He then be-
came connected with the Fair Bluff Acade-
at Lumberton, and devoted the remainder
Of his life to educational work.
In 1867 he married Miss Carrie Smith,
and FIVE children, two of them sons, sur
vfve from this union. His wife died while
he lived in Robson county.
In 1891 he married Mrs. r. c. Ward,
and they lived at Lumberton. She sur
wives MIN.
General Toon leaves two brothers,
Messrs. Abner and Archibald Toon, OF
Whiteville and a half brother, Mr.
Donald McCracken, of Whiteville The
five children General Toon left are Mrs.
oliver Rowland. of Warren; Mrs Mamie
Fuller, of Lumberton; Miss Robbie Toon,
n Lam Mr. IT.. Of
Atlanta, Ga, and Mr.. II. B. Toon, OF
Lyrchburg, $. G.
A DEVOUT BAPTIST
General Toon joined the Baptist church
very early in life, and has always been
consistent member of that denomina-
ton. While teaching at Fair Bluff
Academy he was made deacon in the
church there, and recently he was elect |
ed deacon of the Tabernacle Baptist |
church In this city, but was never we'll |
enough to attend church after his cleo
ton. He has always been a strict tenn
perance man.
General Toon was never what could be |
called politician in the true sense of |
the word, although his interest in public |
affairs was never lacking. AS has been |
mentioned he represented Robson lin |
the House one term, and Robson and |
Columbus IL the Senate. When the |
Democratic State convention met here
April 18th. 1900, there was sharp con-
test over the nomination for Superinten- |
dent Of Public instruction. General I
Toms name had not been mentioned be-
fore the body met, but his friends brought |
him before the assemblage and he was
nominated and triumphantly elected
AS TO his administration OF the office, |
the present condition of North Carolina s |
schools and the concentrations of the |
Governor. the other State officers, and |
the public in general leave nothing to |
be said more.
With the death of General Toon only |
two North Carolina Brigadier Generals |
survive, General w. X. Cox and General |
w. r. Roberts. General Toon was COM |
missioned Brigadier at the same time |
General Cox received his commission.
ACTION OF THE COUNCIL.
4 meeting of the Council of State was
held Immediately upon the knowledge of |
General Toon's death yesterday morning |