The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-15

In rest
In saying that Col. Austin Smiths
record as soldier was brief. IT must
be understood only In technical sense.
He was always at the service OF vir-
ginia. He fought iicr battle. which
was the battle Of Constitutional lip-
erty and State Rights, while he was
away off %onder on the Pacific Coast.
"Where'cr he roa m ed--wha.ever
chimes he saw his heart untravelled
always turned to home"--the dear old
State that gave him birth. 1mmediate-
ly upon Vlrginia's secession he re-
signed his lucrative office of Naval
Agent of San Francisco. abandoned
large property interests, and started to
place his life, his fortune and his
sacred honor In her service. Why he
was not here to aid In repelling the
first invasion and routing McDowell's
army at First Manassas is explained
by the fact that he was seized en-
route by the Federal authorities and
held prisoner until exchanged. No
and sunlight more than he, while held
captive in Forts Lafayette and
Warren. This is explained by the
paper Will now read:
Austin f.. Smith.
Austin. a gallant son OF Ex-Governor
Smith, was residing III California when
his native state. old Virginia called
on her loyal CONS TO repal invasion.
Promptly sacrificing property interests
In the Pacific State. Austin Smith re-
sponded. but was arrested en- route
and imprisoned on suspicion OF dis
loyalty to "the Union" From his
military prison he wrote his father
1.ss- .l.n -
following letter in furti,erance OF thai
request reveals the patriotism OF fathe,
and son. We find II among published
official Confederate archives. Both
men having passed TO that bourne
whence no traveller returns it is
printed to keep alive chivalrous mem
cries
Headquarters 10th Reg. Va. Vols.
February 10. 1852.
President Davis:
Dear Sir,-Hav;ns just received /;
letter from my son and not having
heard from the Secretary of War
was advised by your private Secretar,
! might expect to do, 1 have concluded
to inclose the letter TO you that go,
may see that he adheres inflexibly t.
his resolve in the first instance. ..tha
the granite of his prison home woult
lcrumble into dust before he would
acknowledge the slightest allegiance
10 the. tyranny which oppressed hin
or have his devoted loyalty to thu
South TO become a question: Will
you. my dear sir. now rests my hope,
ali my hopes and his. know not
care not how he has managed abou
our pecuniarS interests-Money is bu
dust in the balance against liberty
the liberty to defy. to brave, to con
iguer our enemies; the liberty to fight
TO bleed. and If need be. to die for oul
country.
| am. Mr.. President. very truly an,
sincerely yours.
wM. SMITH.
ENDORSEMENTS
| Secrtary of War: One enclosure
Please answer and explain.
J. DAVIS.
In this connection 1t is proper to ad,
that Colonel Austin Smith was offere,
full liberty to return to his adopte.
State, without taking the oath to tn,
United States. but he Indignantly an,
scornfully declined the tempting pro
|posal.
OF Heroic stoeh.
Austin Smith was OF heroic stock o
both stdes--none truer, none bravel
His inheritance was indomitable pluck
! unfolding adherence to principle an
honor, and intense-aye passionate-
devotion to his native State. Th
/ proudest British nobleman. who ca
trace his title back through Burk'
Peerage to Hastings or Cressy Q
! Agincourt or Blemheim, can claim n
j richer or more heroic ancestral bloc
than that which dripped from thre
wounds OF the colonel of the Forty
ninth Virginia Infantry upon the Ael
of Sharpsburg. the hloodiest and psi
haps tho most flercely contested battl
OF the war. or from that same bloc
(which swelled the veins and flushc
1.-The cheek and pulsed the heart of tn
lthen Governor elect Of Virginia. as h
double-auieked his brigade into til
arena OF fire and blood to save Lee
left flank at Gettysburg.
But said he was OF heroic stock o
both sides--and SO indeed he was.
Governor Smith left Washingto
Fl somewhat OF a hurry. Upon reachln
Warrenton he was taken sick, havin
i already applied for a commission s
!, colonel, withYthe view to the organ
sation OF regiment. When GONZALES,
ing In order to test the nettle of h
wife, he asked her views about his &,
J. Ing into the army, with the suEgo
ton that he was then past tlree-scol
years and "muster-free." She promp
!. ~ replted you nave preached aece
sion as a right OF the State. and ha,
told the people the time had arrived
/ act, and though you are muster-fre'
you are able to stand the HARDSHIP
and trials of camp and field, and shou
show the public your readiness
stand by your teachings. lou know
did not believe In secession, and la,
heen opposed to Virginia leaving y
J Unlon,''
He thcrenpon told her he had a
ready anticipated her reply, and won
!, take the field at the earliest nome
pra cticable.
On that ever memorial Sunday, Apl
4 2, 1s66. when notified by General Hrecl
!, tnridge. then Secretary OF War. tn
\ Richmond would be evacuated TIL
4 might. Governor Smith con3rnenc
h preparations for removing the Sta
rlarcfiyes as far as practicable, III