The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-23
SUDDEN DEATH OF
 LEN. ]. Il. LANE Honored Educator Closes His Career at Auburn BRILLIANT WAR RECORD General Lane Was One of the Few
 
ANT WAR RECORD
General Lane Was One of the Few Remaining Confederate Brigadier Generals and Jefferson Davis
 Paid Tribute to His Vaor.

Auburn. September 22.-(Special)-Gen James H. Lane, emeritus professor or civil engineering a the Alabama Poiy- technic institute, died suddenly today at o'clock at his residence. While his death was not entirely unexpected, the suddenness of the end came as a great shock to the community. For the last year he has not been in robust health, but the final attack was most sudden. It is d striking fact that in this unexpected way have passed three great figures from ,se colege-Dr. William LeRoy Broun, Prof. o. D. Smith and Gen. James H. Lane. General Lane had just completed the twenty-tifth year of his connection with the Alabama Polytechnic institute as pro- lessor of civil engineering. having been called to the college in 1882.
 At the last meeting of the board of trustees in June, in recognition of his long and honorable service to he college, the marked Honor of the Emeritus professor ship was conferred upon him. His death marked the close of ] long and g. tinguisnod career a5 Il soldier and edu- cator He was born in Mathews county, Virgin ip .o5S He was educated at the famous Virginia Nun. l, institute, re- oeivng his instruction in physics from Stonewall Jackson, who at that time neld that chair. Later he took a post-grad uate course In mathematics and physics in the University of Virginia under such dis tiugulshed teachers as Professor Bledsoe and Francis H. Smith.
 General Lanes "reminiscences Of theje eminent men were most delightful. A; the outbreak of the civil War he was prore5 sor ill the North Carolina Military insti ute at Charlotte, being associated with Gen. D. II. Hill. He was elected major of the First North Carolina volunteers, and in rapid succession passed through the various grades of lieutenant colonel and brigadier general At his death he was one of the rapidly diminishing band of briSa6ier generals.
 During the war he was in charge Of the largest brigade in Stonewall Jackson's s corps, and was present throughout the entire conflict in nearly all of the large battles and many of the minor engage
 
 Big Bethel, Cold Harbor, Second Manas- sas, Sharpshurg, fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsylle, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, and so on to the end. He was promoted brig adler general at the battle of Sharpsburg on the death of General Branch of North Carolina This promotion was on the rec omnendation of Generals Lee, Jackson and A. F. Hill flor gallant and meritor ious conddet.' He played d conspicuous part in the battle of Charlottesville May l, , and }, 1853. His brigade was the only brigade on the front lines when Jackson was wounded in the dark by the Eish- teenth North Carolina regiment. lie had hIs horse shot under him in Picketts historic charge. At the Bloody Angie, Lanes North Carolina veterans success fully stenlmed the tide of federal victory as they went surgng to the right. His command laid down their arms at the surrender at Appomattox.
 After the war General Lane re-entered the profession of teaching, holding in turn the following positions: Professor of nat ural philosophy and commandant. Vir- slna Polytechnic institute professor of mathematics. School of Mines, Missouri; and professor of civil engineering, Ala bama Polytechnic institute.
 General Lane was a man of most con spicuous traits of character; earnest and honest in his convictions; absolutely fear less and straightforward in his conversa- ton; loyal and sincere in all of his rela- tons Of life. He was an embodiment of the finest qualities of the old-time south ern gentleman.
 His wife. who died few years ago at Auburn, was Miss Charlotte Randolph Meade a member of the distinguished Meade family of Virginia. General Lane leaves four daughters: Miss Lidie, now living in Richmond, Va: Misses Kate and T.otte of Auburn. and Mrs. Mary Petrie. the Wife of Dr. George ePtrie. professor of history and Latin at Auburn.
 General Lanes remains will be inferred in the cemetery at Auburn.
 In letter from Beauvoir, dated July 25, 1886, President Jefferson Davis pays Gereral Lane the following tribute: "En- deared to me as he is by his service to the south when he was the young briSadier in the Confederate army, I ad init that l feel warm interest in nis success. not for himself only. but also as a good example for the youth of the state I love so we'll