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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
GENERAL LUCIUS J. GARTRELL.
[We are indebted to Prof. Seals, editor of The
Sunny South, for the fine portrait and sketch of
the life of our distinguished fellow-citizen, Gen.
Lucius J. Gartrell. The General is well and fa
vorably known in the South, and in fact through
out the whole country, as an eminent lawyer and
a far seeing and experienced statesman. No
doubt this sketch will be read with interest by
his many friends and admirers, not only in this
State but the whole South.]
General Lucius J. Gartrell was born in
Wilkes county, Ga., on the 7th of January,
1821, and is now fifty-five years of age. He was
educated at Randolph-Macon College, Virginia,
and Franklin College in this State. Commencing
the study of law at an early age, in the office
of Gen. Robert Toombs, at Washington, Ga., he
was admitted to the bar in Lincoln Superior
Court in 1842. He located at Washington in his
native county, and formed a partnership with
Isaiah T. Irwin, a prominent member of the
bar, with whom for a time he practiced his
chosen profession.
Giving promise of success from the outset,
his friends felt an assured pride that a bright
and useful career awaited him in the future.
Attracting attention as a young lawyer of ability,
the General Assembly of the State, in 1843,
elected him Solicitor-General of the Northern
Judicial Circuit—a position much coveted by
young lawyers at that time, as a stepping-stone
to political preferment. He ably discharged
the duties of this office for nearly four years.
Shortly after his election to this position, he en
tered into partnership with the late Hon. Gar
nett Andrews, who for many years was Judge of
the Superior Court of the Northern Judicial
Circuit.
The people of Wilkes county, in 1847, elected
him a member of the Legislature. Resigning
his Solicitorship, he took his seat in the House
of Representatives the following Winter. They
re-elected him in 1849, and at the session of
1849-50 he introduced the celebrated Southern
Rights Resolutions, which passed by a decided
majority. These resolutions obtained a wide
spread reputation as containing the true doctrine
upon which the South should stand or fall, in
opposition to the aggressions of the Northern
abolitionists.
Having now served four years in the Georgia
Legislature, he returned to private life, contin
uing the practice of law in the Northern Judi
cial Circuit till 1854, at which time he removed
to Atlanta, where he has since resided. Opening
an office in the Gate City, he very soon acquired
a large, lucrative practice.
In the canvass of 1855, in the Fourth Con
gressional District, ho took an active pnrt in
favor of Hon. Hiram Warner, the Democratic
candidate for Congress. The people were fully
aroused to the important issues involved in that
close contest; and the services rendered by him
contributed in no small degree to the success
achieved by the party in the election of Judge
Warner.
As Democratic elector, in 1856, on the ticket
for Buchanan and Breckinridge, he canvassed
his district and other portions of the State with
great power and efficiency, ami in the electoral
college cast his vote for these conservative and
distinguished men. Judge Warner declining
a re-election, Gen. Gartrell was nominated and
elected in 1857, by a large majority, to the Con
gress of the United States. In 1859 he was
re-elected to the same position by a largely in
creased majority, and remained in Congress til!
Georgia withdrew from the I’nion. An able,
experienced debater, he spoke on most of the
prominent questions that came before the House,
especially on the contested election cases. (In
the subject of Southern rights, he took a bold,
decided stand. Plainly and fully informing the
Northern people of our rights under the consti
tution, and in like manner that the South was
deeply in earnest, and resolved to maintain those
rights at every hazard, he did much to avert the
war that afterwards drenched the land with
blood.
In a strong speech, delivered in the House of
Representatives in January, iB6O, he uttered the
following invocation, so full of patriotic warning:
••The issues are fully made up, and the trial
between right and wrong, justice and injustice,
the »WfflW & Pt«ra
lawlessness and the constitution, union and dis
union will soon be had, and I pray God that the
result at the ballot-box may not be such as to
force upon my people the dire necessity of ap
pealing to the cartridge-box'”
Gen. Gartrell, while in Congress, was Regent
of the Smithsonian Institute, and was regarded
one of the most promising, rising young States
men of the country. This is shown by his
speeches in and out of Congress, and the com
ments of the press throughout the Union.
On Georgia dissolving her connection with the
Federal Government in January, 1861, he left
Congress and returned home ; and as soon as it
was ascertained that war between the States was
inevitable, he organized the Seventh Georgia
Regiment, and was unanimously elected its
colonel. He was mustered into service in May,
1861, and immediately thereafter reported to
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who was then com
manding at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, and went
at once into active service. He commanded this
GENERAL LUCIUS J. GARTRELL.
far-famed regiment on the 21st of July, 1861,
in the battle of Manassas. This regiment was
among the commands which “ bore the brunt of
this hard-fought engagement.” Gen. Johnston,
in his report of this great battle, mentioned
him as one of the officers deserving of distinc
tion. He states in this masterly report “ that
every regiment and battery engaged performed
its part well.”
During his absence in the army, Gen. Gartrell
was elected to the Confederate Congress. Re
signing the colonelcy of his regiment, he took
his seat in that body at Richmond in 1862, with
the distinct avowal that he would remain in
Congress but one term. He was appointed
j Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in which
capacity he rendered the country much valuable
service.
As Representative in this Congress, vigilant
and active in his efforts to relieve the wants of
the army, he enjoyed a most deserved popularity
among the soldiers in the field and the people
at home. This popularity among the masses he
has constantly maintained by his straightfor
ward and manly conduct.
Declining a re-election to the Confederate Con
gress, he returned to the army, and was ap
pointed a Brigadier-General by President Davis.
He then organized a brigade of Georgia Reserves,
composed of four regiments, known as Gartrell s
Brigade, which he commanded to the end of the
war. beloved by its officers and men.
In 1863, Gen. Gartrell was solicited by many
gallant officers and soldiers in the army, and
citizens at home, to become a candidate for Gov
| ernor, and although in the event of his oandi-
dacy the prospect of success seemed flattering,
yet he declined to run the race. In an able and
patriotic letter, dated July 17, 1863, he used the
following forcible and characteristic language :
“ Recent events in the armies, and the threat
ening aspect of affairs, have brought me to the
conclusion that, in this hour of great peril to our
beloved country, I ought not to become a candi
date for office. Contentions for office might di
vide and distract our people, and weaken the
efforts and unnerve the arms of our brave de
fenders in the field, who now stand between us
and the hordes of abolition vandals, attempting
to overrun and lay waste this fair land of ours.”
After the war, Gen. Gartrell returned to Atlan
ta, his property all destroyed ; but with a spirit
that strives to overcome all discomfiture, he in
good earnest resumed the practice of his profes
sion, prosecuting the same with great success.
He was a candidate, in 1866, for United States
Senator, and when in a few votes of an election,
withdrew, for the sake of harmony, in favor of
Hon. H. V. Johnson, who was then elected. For
a time after this, laboring under political disa
bilities, imposed by the Fourteenth Amendment
of the Constitution of the United States, he took
but little active part in politics, though an earn
est observer of passing events, but vigorously
pursued the practice of law. For a short time
in 1872, at the solicitation of friends, he was
again a candidate for United States Senator ; but
when it became known that Hon. A. H. Stephens
desired or would accept the Senatorship, he with
drew in favor of this sage of Georgia, in a patri
otic letter, which was highly complimented by
the press. His political disabilities were not re
moved by Congress until February 17, 1873.
Gen Gartrell has filled many important places
of public trust and honor, still he is no.office
seeker, in the general acceptation of the term.
In the last Congressional election in Georgia,
he took the stump for the Democratic candidates,
and his speeches were pronounced, by intelligent
correspondents and others, as among the ablest
ever delivered in this State.
As a lawyer, Gen. Gartrell is capable, success
ful and true to the interest of his clients. As a
criminal advocate, he stands cohfease ily at the
head of the profession. In this field of the
science, he has but few equals in the United
Slates. Under his management, in the court
room, the criminal, no matter what his crime
may be, in confident reliance upon his abiiity,
feels that perfect ease and safety which is akin
to liberty itself. His eloquence at the bar is
bold, strong and persuasive, and rarely fails to
take captive the judgment, and melt the heart
into compassion for lhe prisoner at the bar.
As stated of a great orator of the Old Do
minion, “ his eloquence always commands the
hour, pointed, practical, abounding in great
truths, going home to the bosoms and business
of men.” In manner and voice, when speak
ing, he resembles Henry Clay, that grand old
commoner of “ the dark and bloody ground.”
This very high compliment was paid him by one
of Georgia’s greatest and best men, who for
many years knew Mr. Clay intimately and well.
In person, Gen. Gartrell is above the medium
size, commanding in appearance without the air
of haughtiness, with open, free countenance, and
mild pleasing manners: he is a fine type of the
true Southern gentleman. In any assembly of
men, he would be recognized at once as a man
of note and ability.
This brief outline but indifferently portrays
the character and public career of this promi
nent son of Georgia; much more might be de
servedly said.
Actively observant of political affairs, pos
sessed of talents of the highest order, true to
every trust, popular among the people, kind and
charitable to the poor, outspoken on all subjects
of public interest, an incorruptible patriot, in
friendship true, candid and unswerving, with
an energy and fixedness of purpose that quails
before no opposition, Gen. Gartrell is one of
Georgia’s best and ablest men.
The Southern Publishing Company.
It is the only house in the South that prints
books for Northern houses. Our subscription
books are printed on our own presses and
shipped to Northern subscription book pub
lishers and sold by them through agents, thus
showing that we ha we the facilities for compe
ting with Northern publishing and printing
houses, and that it is to the interest of every
man in the South to patronize us.
Owing to the large pressure upon our columns,
we are compelled to leave out several interest
ing and valuable communications, which we
will take pleasure in inserting in our next issue.
Globe Flower. —We invite special attention
to the advertisement of Dr. J. 8. Pemberton &
Co. We endorse what is claimed for Globe
Flower Syrup. It cannot be too highly recom
mended, as we have used it in our family with
great benefit. We are personally acquainted
with Doctor Pemberton and Mr. Gay, the pro
prietors, who are men of high standing and in
tegrity. We cheerfully commend them to our
readers.
An Important Medical Want Supplied.—The
celebrated French Surgeon, Magendie, declared
that no remedy for headache had ever been dis
covered. It has remained f ran American phy
sician to make the discovery. The most reliable
testimony establishes the fact, that the Extract
of Cranberries ami Hemp, combined by Dr. J.
P. Miller, 327 Spruce street, Philadelphia, Pa.,
permanently cures the most obstinate cases of
Dyspeptic, Nervous or Sick Headache, and is an
absolute specific for Neuralgia and Nervousness.
The new remedy is prepared in pills, at 50 cents
a box, sent by mail.
Dr. 8. VAN METER,
Founder of the famous Infirmary at Charles
ton, Illinois, is able to tell the true condition of
any afflicted person, and give his symptoms, bet
tr than the patient himself. This he does not do
by witchcraft or spiritualism, but it is the legit
imate result of patient, careful study of the ef
fects of Disease, and long experience in their
treatment. The Charleston Infirmary, known
over the whole country, has, for near 30 years
past, been the resort of the afflicted,and men of
the highest standing, both South and North, in
dorse it from a personal knowledye of its merits.
After constant confinement for years. Dr. Van
Meter will, as a matter of recreation, take a tour
through the South-Eastern States, and will stop
at various points, that the afflicted may consult
him. He will be along in two or three weeks.
Send at once for the Journal Extra, containing full
particulars of towns, dates, hotels, &c. Address,
inar-lm Dr. 8. VAN METER A CO., Charleston, 111.
—w •>» —
Hygienic Institute and Turkish Bath,
Corner Loyd and Wall streets, opposite the Pas
senger Depot, Atlanta, Georgia,
For the Cure of Chronic Diseases, by Nature’s
Remedies the “ Water-cure Process,” the
“ Movement cure, etc., etc.
Hygienic Board in connection.
Directions for Home Treatment, when parties
are unable to come here for treatment.
Address, in full,
J NO. STAIN BACK WILSON, M.D.,
It Proprietor and Physician-in-charge.
Ladies and Gentlemen
who will devote their leisure or entire time to
soliciting sul<scribers for the Rural Southerner
and Plamtatd*«, will be allowed special induce
ments.
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