The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
The Civilian Leaders Of the Confederacy
By John Goode, of Virginia.
Secession Convention Of the Congress the United States and
President Of the Virginia Constitutional Convention Of 190-2


|another place--the leg, believe. These
wounds We're in addition to the one
inflicted by the ball which struck him
III the arm. He was very seriously
wounded, and / saw he was unable to
move, though he was standing up.
lie was subsequently carried from the
field in a helpless condition, and was
confined with his wounds for consid-
cradle time. lie was as brave n man
as 1 ever saw, and seemed almost in
sensible to fear"
We have thus reproduced few testi-
monials from humorous others which
might be furnished by men who know
whereof they affirm, showing the extra
ordinary success in life which marked
tho career of this distinguished Nir-
ginian. They proved that in all the
relations of life, whether OF sunshine
or of storm, ne never failed to act well
/ his part.
William Smith was born in King
George county, Va. September 6, 1896,
soon after the close of the Revolu-
| tionary War. and thus was afforded an
opportunity to imbibe those lessons of
teNalted patriotism taught by George
Thomas Jefferson, James
Madison, James Monroe. and other great
fathers OF the republic. He lived long
lenough to witness the throes of an
which involved not only the sovereign
ty of the State, but all his countrymen
held most dear and sacred upon earth
In early life he attended the private
schools of his neighborhood, and was
admitted to the bar of the county of
Culpeper, Va, where he practiced his
profession.
Although comparatively young
man, lie was selected by his people to
| tn tot 20 ~
Virginia from 1890 to 1885. He was
elected n representative In the Twenty
seventh Congress of the United States
land was Governor of his State from
1885 to 1913.
Having found it necessary to remove
to the state of California in 1850, he
Twas elected president of the State Con.
stitutonal Convention, assembled at
Renicia, to remodel the Constitution OF
the State, No stronger evidence of his
ability TO command men could be af-
forded than his election by entire
strangers to fill this high and respon-
sible position. 1t is sufficient to say
that he proved himself to be equal in
every respect to the requirements OF
the great occasion.
Having accomplished the object OF
his mission TO California, he returned
to Virginia in 1852, ard was imme-
serve his people In the Thirty thirC
and Thirty-sixth Congresses.
Civil aud Military Career.
He very soon came to the forefront
: In all Important debates, and made his
mark upon the House of Representa-
itives. When the war commenced ir
j1SG1, he was commissioned colonel OF
1.-THE Forty-ninth Virginia Infantry
After the secession of Virginia, and II
had been determined that the State
;would take her proper position IN con
federation. he served In the Congress
of the Confederate States, although hi
never neglected his higher duties in tn,
field, when. by reason of age he NIGH
well have claimed to be exempt. Elt
was commissioned brigadier- general il
1862 was severely wounded at Antie
tam, and in August, 1863, was promoted
for gallantry and skill in battle. Whel
, our cause was apparently lost anc
!; Virginia sorcly needed the services o
: all her most experienced sons, he wa
called upon once more to take the helm
of the ship OF state, and was elected
Governor for the second time during
the dark ana stormy period of 1864
In the evening of his age, and ricl
with experience of many years spen
In the public service, he was again
: called from his retirement to serve hi
ll'ople IN the SeHute oAAlN''si'id II
, 1877. What record and how worth,
T of imitation by those who would imi
tate his bright example and his loft,
deeds! He died at Warrenton, Va, Ma,
70, 1887, and it may be truly said tina
+ few men In our day have passed fror
earth more nonored and lamented p
tho people of his State
Fought to Preserve unity
In this connection it may be prope
to mention the great service rendere
to the Commonwealth by him durin
his first term as Governor IN ls4'
: With far-seeing stntesmanshlp an
rare executive ability he forcsaw IN
! absolute necessity OF so constructing
, our lines of internal improvement
9 to promote the unity OF the dltteren
! sections and to make Richmond VIVA
!, nature designed her to be--a Sfea
u commercial metropolis. He faVore
the construction Of railroads ruhnih
from the western and northwestern
q sections OF the State. and conversln
u npon Richmond, thus obviatlnB tn
NECESSITY Of separation along the rang