The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1919-02-06
FORMER TIPTONIAN IS
CALLED TO HIS REWARD

lin Memphis at 5 o'clock Friday eye'
ming at the age of 81 years, and fu-
neral services were held in the Sec
ond Presbyterian Church, that city,
Saturday afternoon at 2;30 o'clock.
Capt Hill was native Of Upton
county, and was a commanding of-
lf.ctr OF Confederate coht,aay in
the war between the states. For 38
years prior to his death he held
the position Of secretary of the Mem
phis board Of education, and was be-
loved and respected by all who knew
him. In giving an account of Capt.
HIPS long, useful and eventful life,
the Memphis Commercial Appeal Of
February says:
"Capt. Hill was one of the most
widely known and best beloved men
of this city, having won hundreds
and hundreds of friends during his
long and faithful sevice in connection
with the city schools. In recognition
of his services one of the most beau
tiful schools in the public school
system was named for him several
years ago. He was a man of abil-
ity and of noble character and his
memory will be cherished in the
hearts of those who knew and loved
him.
"He was born in Upton county,
! Tennessee, on December II, 1887, and
was of Scotch-Irish and French des-
cent. His parents were John S. and
Henrietta Dewese Hill. He was ed
ucated at Mt, Carmel Academy in
Upton county and was a graduate
of that institution He taught school
for a year and then from 1858 until
1861 was engaged in the mercantile
business. On May 6, 1861, he enlist
ed in Company G, Ninth Tennessee
Regiment, serving later in the
Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry and the
Fifty-first Tennessee Regiment. At
the close Of the war he was captain
of Company G of that regiment. He
was not captured or wounded dur
ing the war.
capt. Hill was a personal friend
of the late Admiral Dewey, the great
est figure of the Spanish-American
war. Twenty years ago Admiral
Dewey, while on tour of the south,
was in Memphis. At a reception Civ
en- in honor Of the admiral Capt.
Hill grasped Dewey's hand and ask
ed: Were you at Port Hudson?'
A look of interest came across the
admiral's countenance as he an
swered Eyes, were your"
q was on the Confederate side,"
replied the Memphian. eff you re-
member, we took you prisoner in
that engagement, but you succeeded
in escaping
Later the two former enemies met
and talked together of the days when
the north and south opposed each
other on the field of battle. Admiral
Dewey died on January 16, 1917.
Just Is days before his death he
wrote a letter to Capt. Hill in re-
spouse to a letter of congratula-
ton received from the Memphian on
the occasion of the admiraPs seven
ty-ninth birthday, which was on De-
cember "a. Dewey was two weeks
younger than Capt. Hill and in his
letter he said: "My friends tell me
to live up to the century mark. |
hope you will join me in this under
taking.
"a little over two weeks after the
penning of those lines the admiral
was dead, and when the news was re-
ceived in Memphis Capt. Hill told
of the battle in which he and the
hero of the Spanish american war
were on opposite sides.
dewey was in command of the |
federal vessel Mississippi, and Hill
was lieutenant of an infantry COM
pany. Grant was besieging Vicks-
burg and an effort was made by |
seven Union vessels to mass Port
Hudson and take aid to Grant. At
II o'clock on the night of March
IA, 1863, the ships made the at
tempt to pass the Confederate bat
teries at Port Hudson. The Con-
federates opened fire with such dead
w effect that only one ship passed
the batteries and it was so badly
damaged that it was abandoned.
Deweys vessel, which was second in
the line, was set on fire by the shells
from the southern guns and he saw
that the last of his men had left
the vessel, then he plunged into the
water and swan ashore. He was
made prisoner by Capt. Hills com
mand and private was assigned to
guard the seaman. Taking advantage
Of the fact that his guard fell asleep,
Dewey succeeded in escaping and re-
Joining the Union forces.
''After the Civil war had ended
Capt. Hill came to Memphis and was
in business until 1881, when, in Sep.
TENDER, he was elected secretary OF
The city board Of education, which
he held until the time of his death.
''Surviving him are four children,
Mrs. Lula A. Kerby, Mrs. I. 9. Mer-
Ram. Mrs. Ben H. Carr and v. ..
HILL"
Capt. Hill is also survived by two
brothers, Messrs. J. M. Hill, Of Brigh-
Ton. and f. w. Hill. of Mt. Carmel,
- u. - e;s+n,. Mrc Arunina Bl1-