The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-01

1t is with pride and pleasure The
Messenger publishes the following trib-
ute by a gentleman of Richmond to the
MEMORY Of these gallant North Caro-
Iinians. 1t is very fitting thai the por-
traits of these two brothers should
hang side by side on the walls of the
building dedicated to preserving no.
mentoes of the Confederacy and of the
men who suffered for the Lost Cause:
To the galaxy of portraits of North
Cardinals immortal soldiers and states
men which ddOrn the walls of the North
Carolina room of the confederate
museum III Richmond. Va. recently
been added those of two other diStin-
guiShed sons of that grand old state
the Hon. K. +. BridgeTs and Lieutenant
Colonel JnO. l.. Bridgers-two brothers
from the county Of EdgecOmbe.
The Hon. r. II. Bridgers. after
go Iuating with the highest honOrS at
~ University of North Carolina in
the class OF 1S41. and obtaining his Ii
ceuSe to practice law. devoted himself
to his profession and to the pursuit
of agriculture. in both of which he was
emiHentIy successful. In 1874 he was
sent to the legislature. and again in
1856. where he remained until 1861. Dur
ing the war he represented his state in
Inc COIL SU1TtlC COllSItSS dI 1GlCulllOllu-
serving on the military n special fl
knance committees. Shortly after the
Hwar Nh. BridgerS was elected president
of the Wilmington and Weldon Rail-
road Company. and through his indi-
viduaI efforts the road was saved from
bankruptcy and entered upon its IN
eXampled career of -~~OSperity. thus
laying the foundation of the great At
lantic Coast Line. 4 monument to his
aUaru-v AMI m4Srprful skill and of
which he not Onl- discharged the duties
of president. but was for years gen
eral manager. He died in his Goth
year. having been stricken with appo-
pIeXy While addressing a committee of
the O Carolina Legislature at Co
lumbia.
"JnO. L. Bridgers was also a ucCeSs-
full Lawyer and planter. In 1860 he or
EaniZed and was elected captain of the
EdcecOmb = Guards. which became
Company a. OF the First Regiment of
North Carolina Volunteers. Captain
Bridgers led his in the battle
of Bethel. the first h { the war.
and Wyatt. the first nan killed in t
tie. was a member of this In
his report Of this fight. the command
ing officer mentions the gallant con-
duct Of CapIdin BridgerS. who was sub
s~equeutIy promoted to lieutenant col
onel Ofthe Tenth Artillery then station
ed aJ Forth Macon. Later Colonel
Brfdgers was transferred to the staff of
General D H Hill. on which he served
che remainder -: the war. He died
eInuary 1854. on his farm "Stra-
HDand." hoDored and beloved by all who
knew him.
"Affectionately attached - each other
during life. il = fortunate and fitting
that speaking ? -0eueSSeS If 1heSe two
DISTINGUISHED brothers from the old
~ --~-- - : 49, = : ~ eide
amid their companions. i~ ~ room OF
the confederate r"Useum devoted to the
preservation of the memories and the
noble -~0is OF her
gallant sons.
These portraits were presented in
loving memory by Mrs. r +. Bridgers,
Of Wilmington. y. G.. through Mrs.
.Jn0. W Gordon. Of this city. vice re-
gent Of the North Carolina room Of the
confederate museum.