The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-22
COL. WTTHERS DIES
AT ADVANCED |: AGE
This Distinguished Virginian
Passes Away at His Wythe-
vile Home.
LIFE FILLED WITH HoNoRs
Had Served His State in Peace
and War and This Country
Abroad--TIis Family.
IFE FILLED WITH HoNoRs

l T. * 81
WYrHEvILLE. VA, September 21.-
Colonel Robert Z. Withers, ripe II,
years and in honors, died tonight III
his home IN this city. His death fol-
flowed an illness of some length, and
for several days his family. and friends
had realized that the END was near
\ The arrangements for the funeral have
not heen made.
| During the last days OF his Illness
| Colonel Withers was surrounded by all
! of his children except Mrs. John Y
summoned by telegraph when 1t be-
came certain that he would soon die.
The members OF his family at his
bedside were his son, r. Il. Withers
| Jr.. of Plttsburg: Mrs. Lizzie Carter
and her son. the Rev. Edwin Carter,
lsof Boydton. Va; Mrs Henry Williams,
of Martinsville; Mrs Boyd, tof Nelson
county; Mrs. Woodville Smith. OF
| Lynchburg; Mrs. Ellie Putney, of Rich.
Mrs. Willie W1thers. of Wytheville.
His Noble Career.
The life of Colonel Robert Enoch
Withers was one of distinguished SER
vice to his State and country. Both
as soldier and statesman he won dis
tinctlon. Colonel Withers was eighty
six years old.
He was the Oldest sou of DR.. Robert
w. and Susan Alexander Withers,
and was born at Rock Castle"
Campbell county. Va. September 1s.
|1s2l. lie was reared a country boy.
educated In the neighborhood schools
under various teachers, and finished at
''Woodbourne Classical School" con-
Quoted BY Samuel y. Miller. in Pittsyl-
vania county. VA; studied medicine.
a OH ,,l,i la fnr
his professlon: attended lectures and
graduated at he University or Vir-
ginia in 1871. before he attained the
age OF twenty. Afterwards was one
OF the resident physicians at the Bal-s
tinore Almshouse Hospital. He prac-
ticed his profession in his native 3coun-
ty until 1858. when lie removed to
Dnnville. where he practlced until.
1851.
He married February ;, 1916, Mary
Virginia Royal. eldest daughter of .Jo-5
ssph r. and Elizabeth Gwathnie ROYAL.
of Lynchb,rg. Vay who bore him
twelve children, two of whom died in
childhood.
His War Record.
He marched with two companies of
infantry from Danville, Va, to Rich
mnnd. and was mustered into service
on April 80. 1861. with the rank Of
major, and was made colonel of the
Eighteenth Virginia Regiment of In-
fantry. comprising two companies A
and r, OF Danville; c and q, of Motto
way; ., of Prince Edward; r, of Cum
'herland; r. OF Farmville: Fl, of Ap-
ponattox: l, of Pittsylvania, and K,
of Charlotte. lie served With this reg
'lnent. which took part In tho battles
OF First Manassas. williamsburg. Seven
Pines. and Ciainess Mills. at which lat
ter place he was shot from his horse
while leading the final charge receiv-
ing flveswounds, two through the body.
He rejoined his command twice, butt
WAS never again fit for active duty,
and was transferred to the invalid
corps. and placed in command OF the
prison post at Danvtle. where he sur
rendered to Wrights Corps. OF the
Federal army. and Was paroled on tEe
2lst day of April 1865. He removed
to Lynchburg In 1866, and was thefirstl
editor of the Lynchburg News. which
soon became the leading paper of the
city. Ile was nominated for Cibyernor.I
in 1868. and made nn active extended
and able canvass of 8tlre state, its pri- |
l3.i35 y