JULIUS A. TROUSDALE.

Rev. James H. McNeilly, D.D., of Nashville, writes: Every Confederate veteran in Middle Tennessee will feel that the death of Julius A. Trousdale takes from us one of the noblest men and bravest soldiers our State has ever produced. It was with great grief that his comrades laid him to rest. There was in every heart a feeling of personal loss and that our grand old commonwealth was bereaved of one of her foremost citizens. Julius A. Trousdale came of splendid stock. His forbears were tried men and true in the cause of liberty. His grandfather was with Washington at Yorktown. His father was William Trousdale, who was with Jackson at New Orleans, who commanded a regiment in the Florida war, and who won a brigadier general's commission for gallantry in Mexico,

being desperately wounded at Chapultepec. He was afterwards Governor of this State. His son was worthy of such ancestry, and it was only his own modesty and unselfish patriotism that kept him from being elevated to the highest office in his State. He was born on the 20th of August, 1840, in Gallatin, Tenn. After receiving a good education he graduated in law, and established himself in the practice in his native town. He was a fine lawyer and commanded a large practice.

In 1861 Mr. Trousdale enlisted in the defense of the South as a member of Bate's Second Tennessee Regiment. In the battle of Shiloh, April, 1862, he was severely wounded and disabled for active service in the field, but with devotion and courage he served to the end of the war in the quartermaster's department. His wound was a cause of suffering to the end of his life. He was enthusiastic in his love for the Confederate cause, and was an active member of Donelson Bivouac.

Julius A. Trousdale entered into public life as a Representative from Sumner County in the Legislature of 1871. He was elected to the State Senate in 1873. After this he reengaged in the practice of law. In 1885 and 1893 he again served in the Legislature. At this last session he was chosen Speaker by a unanimous vote, every Democrat, Republican, Prohibitionist, and Populist voting for him. This was to fill an unexpired term. The public school system of Tennessee

was successfully championed by him.

In 1880 Mr. Trousdale was married to Miss Anna Berry, of Nashville. One child, a daughter, lived to complete her education and to be the pride of her parents. When suddenly, in the very glory of a beautiful young womanhood, she was taken from earth the father's heart was broken, and he followed her in less than a fortnight. She died on the 29th of August, 1899. He had been deeply depressed by the death of a favorite nephew and by the long sickness of his only brother. His health was feeble, and the shock of this terrible bereavement was more than he could bear. On the 7th of September, 1899, his noble spirit passed into the great unseen, to the companionship of his beloved

child.

The announcement of his death brought gloom to the whole commonwealth. He was widely known, and "none knew him but to love him, none named him but to praise." In his native town business was suspended by proclamation of the Mayor while the funeral services were held. The bar of Gallatin in a bodv and the Donelson Bivouac of his old comrades in arms attended his body to Nashville, where they were met by Frank Cheatham Bivouac, and the last sad offices of love were rendered as he was laid by the side of his lovely daughter in beautiful Mt. Olivet.

In the character of Julius A. Trousdale a just estimate must seem like exaggeration to those who knew him not. He was as open as the day, transparent as the air, direct, sincere, candid. One always knew where to find him. He scorned all evasion and trickery; he was a man of the highest principle, and never consciously wronged a human being. He was brave in both physical and moral courage, and was true to his convictions at any cost. He thought carefully and deeply, and when his judgment was settled he held firmly to his opinions. He never feared the face of man nor dreaded the clamor of a multitude. He was the stuff of which martyrs are made. He was noted for his charitv. His heart was sensitive to every cry of need and his hand was opened wide to help. For fiftv-nine years he lived among his own people, a conscientious, faithful, hard-working, earnest life ; and when he laid down his work and entered into rest he carried with him the respect and love of every man, woman, and child in his community. The South may well be proud of such a son and cherish his memory forever as a member of that goodly brotherhood.