DEATH Of PROF. ALBERT D. WALLACE.

 

   HERE died in the home hospital here [Austin] February 7 a veteran whose death I chronicled at the time, but who was worthy of more than passing notice and a more extensive paragraph than I devoted to his demise at the time. In the person of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, Albert David Wallace was born in Alabama and grew to manhood in and near Auburn in that state. He had just reached his majority when the call to arms came in 1861, and he was among the first to respond to that call, enlisting in a company made up in and around Auburn, which became company G, Sixth Alabama infantry, which regiment was perhaps better known at the beginning of the war as the Louchapoka Rifles. The first colonel of the regiment was the gallant and dashing John B. Gordon, who later attained the rank of major general and who after the war was governor of Georgia and served several terms in the United States congress. As soon as the regiment was organized, it proceeded at once to the seat of war in Virginia, where it became a part of the Army of Northern Virginia. Of course, the reader of history need not be told that after the first battle the fighting in Virginia became fast and furious as well as desperate and bloody. For a long time Virginia was the battle ground between the contending forces and battles followed each other in quick succession. The command to which Mr. Wallace belonged took part in nearly all of the big battles in Virginia and Mr. Wallace was always in his place in the ranks in every battle in which his command participated, and strange as it may seem, he passed through all those scenes of danger unscratched, as if he had borne a charmed life. I saw a statement somewhere recently to the effect that there had been more men killed within a radius of thirty miles, taking Petersburg, Va., as a center, than on the same extent of territory anywhere in the world. That, however, was prior to the beginning of the present gigantic European war. I believe North Carolina furnished more men to the Confederate army than any other state, and I have little doubt that Alabama was second or third in the list as to the number of men furnished. At any rate, she furnished a large number, and the troops from Alabama were noted for their courage and soldierly bearing.

 

   Mr. Wallace stayed with the cause until it was lost and the last gun had been tired. When the fatal hour came when Lee’s battered legions stacked arms and surrendered, Mr. Wallace was color-bearer of his regiment. When the surrender came he tore the flag he bore from its staff, tore the flag into two pieces, gave one piece to Major Culver and tore the other piece-into several pieces and distributed them among his comrades. Mrs. Wallace, wife of deceased, told me a few days ago that she had a letter from Major Culver in which that gentleman stated that he still had in hi? possession a piece of the flag which Mr. Wallace gave him at that time.

 

   At the close of hostilities Mr. Wallace returned to his home, and in 1870 came to Texas. After a year spent in this state he went back to Alabama, but in 1873 returned to Texas and has resided here ever since. He first located at Marlin, but had resided at various other points, but located permanently at Marlin about twenty years ago. In 1877 he was married at Hico to Miss Lucie Stinnett, and his estimable wife survives him. Soon after coming to Texas Mr. Wallace began the work of teaching, continuing in that work as long as he was able to follow any occupation, and he was well and favorably known as an educator wherever he taught, and in whatever community he resided in commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. For the last seven years he had been bed ridden, owing to paralysis and in 1913 he was admitted to the home. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, was a gentleman of culture and refinement, and on many a battle-field half a century ago he displayed that daring and courage which go to make up the brave and gallant soldier. His trials and sufferings are ended now, and I have no doubt that when he reached the pearly gates of the celestial city there was no question as to his admission.