Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-12
SAVED BY JEFF DAVIS
On Battlefield of Monterey
When Wounded.
COL. LIE GRANDE SMITH
RECALLS INTERESTING EXPERT
ENCEs OF EXCITING LIFE.
With Fiibuster Walker and Sentenced
to Be Shot-Washington Half
a Century Ago.

the practical ana pleasant features of life.
He fought for his country in two wars,
fought against his country in the civil war
and fought duels. He was with Walker
on his filibustering expedition, and saw
him shot at Trujillo September r. 1860.
In fact, he was himself sentenced to be
executed, but was reprieved and finally,
with another companion. escaped and made
his way to South America
At the battle of Monterey, September o.
1916, he was wounded severely and his
life was saved by Jefferson Davis who
was captain In the American army and
who recognized the young soldier. Davis,
catching glimpse Of Smiths face, ordered
that he be removed at once to the convent
and placed in good hands.
Colonel Smith was more than fourscore
years OF age when he died. He was de-
scendant of one Of the old Virginia families
His father was a wealthy planter and
leader at the bar. The son was educated
IN France, his mother, a LIE Grande, being
OF French descent, and at West Point, from
which institution he left after completing
his third year.
The colonel was man of dignified pres
ence, type of the true southern gentle
man OF the old school, and it was pleas
ure to listen to his fund of anecdotes and
experiences. Particularly was this true of
his recoliections of public men of half
century ago, with many of whom ne was
personally and intimately acquainted
In the winter of 1S45-46 I was in Wash
tngton, and as look back now it seems to
me the pleasantest time of my life" Colo
mel Smith said to the writer on his last
visit to this city only a short time before
his death.
Generals Sam Houston and Rusk.
Il remember with perfect accuracy how
the great men OF the day appeared to me-
OF those I now recall who impressed me
most as young man were General Sam
Houston and General Rusk, the latter Of
whom had been the first secretary of war
Of the Independent republic of Mexico, and
who at the battle Of San Jacinto had taken
General Houston's place as commander Of
the Texan army when the latter was
wounded.
Houston had lived with the Indians and
had served under General Andrew Jackson
in the war with the Creeks. These two
bluff old warriors were in Washington that
winter to take their seats as the first
United States senators from the new state
Of Texas. They lived at the National
Hotel, and it was there that I first met
and was introduced to them.
Alexander H. Stephens who was q great
friend of my fathers. and whom I had
met as boy in his Georgia home, was be-
ginning his second term as representative
in Congress and Robert Toombs Of the
same state was just entering his career
as national statesman. Calhoun had re-
turned to the Senate after serving as Sec
rotary of State in President Tyler's cabi-
net. Webster also returned at this ses-
sion. Clay had gone into retirement after
his defeat for the presidency the year be-
fore. but he came to the capital during the
winter and l met him, as did I, both CAL
houn and Webster.
tom Corwin of Ohio, 1 think, entered
the Senate for the first time that winter
and remember we'll his stories and anec-
dotes told only he could tell them to
his congressional friends: Then there were
Daniel 8. Dickinson of New York and
Lewis Cass of Michigan. They were the
closest friends, always together and
recall them as they looked walking up
Pennsylvania avenue, arm in arm toward
the Capitol, which then half the size
Of the present building. Then there was
Colquitt of Georgia and Howell Cobb. the
latter with whom I became Intimate in
later years.
Poor Felix Mcconnell.
'And Felix G. Mcconnell of Alabama
Poor Mcconnell was one of the brightest
men 1 ever knew. but dissipation caused
him to take his own life at thirty-six He
was a fine looking man with long black
curls that partially hid his forehead when
he shook his head while talking. And he
was orator. He had been a saddler be-
fore coming to Congress. and it was his
humorous custom to speak of the people of
his district as my saddlery constituents
Mcconnell. Stephens. General Rusk and
Sam Houston used to have rooms In at that
time a fashionable residence. and which
Is still standing in Pennsylvania avenue,
across from the building In which the
took their meals at the National Hotel and
their mode OF living was something that
could not well stand as young as was.
pot of coffee was served to each in his
room early In the morning, and at 10
O'Clock they partook Of champagne
breakfast; and let me say that they drank
the wine In inordinate quantities
Mcconnell committed suicide In 1916. In
the SnriDY 0f that 7 him do
with a colored valet up by the treasury
building The valet was carrying on his
head big tent, folded up. while McCon-
nell. then about three sheets in the wind
had his arms full Of pans dishes and cook
ing . utensils are vo, going to ao~ /, asked
him.
1--we succeeded in borrowing $780, and I
am going out into civilization he replied.
and he went over into the Smithsonian In
stitution grounds and pitched his tent and
remained there until his spree was over
was in the House one day when the clerk
was calling the roll. Mcconnell had just
come up the steps on the outside and
through an open window, heard his name
called.
Here I am he yelled from the outside,
and his colleagues and the visitors in the
galleries laughed heartily. Mcconnell took
rooms in the old st. Charles Hotel. He
got a log and hewed 1t out carefully, so
that 1t would fit his neck. Getting himself
in a comfortable position, he drew a razor
day.
Davis and Alexander n. Stephens.
"Many of the men I have mentioned I
knew far better in later days. both in
Washington and some of them as members
OF the southern confederacy during the
war. Jefferson Davis came to Congress in
1876. and later resigned to enter the Mexi-
can war 1t was our acquaintance made in
Washington that winter that caused him
to remember me at Monterey when was
dangerously wounded. Railways considered
that he saved my life, and we were ever
afterward intimate friends. saw him
great deal during the time that he was
president Of the confederate states When
he had completed his book, ana before the
manuscript was given to the publishers he
sent for me to come TO Bouvoir, and went
over It with him page by page. In his last
illness ! spent considerable time with him.
and was with him when he breathed his
last. He was lavable man. and re-
we're his memory.
Alexander H Stephens and were init
mate frfenda. atthouah he waa much older