Newton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Henderson, Gen. Robt. J. February 1891 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 September 23, 2006, 9:15 pm The Georgia Enterprise, February 5, 1891 and February 12, 1891 Gen. Robt. J. Henderson Dying Gen. Robt. J. Henderson has been seriously and dangerously sick at the residence of his son-in-law, Col. L. J. Hill, in Atlanta, for some time past, and on Sunday the sad news came that this good and true man, so highly esteemed and dearly beloved by all our people, was slowly but surely dying. Monday his physicians announced that there was no chance for his recovery. Tuesday he was barely alive, with wife, children and loved ones by his side. We give the following brief history of Gen. Henderson, whose name will ever live in the hearts of his countrymen. General Henderson is a native Georgian, and in the state’s history his name has a prominent place. He was born in Jasper County on the 12th of November, 1822, and is in his seventieth year. Than General Henderson Georgia has no more devoted, loyal son. His early life was passed on his father’s plantation, where he, with his brother, Hon. John T. Henderson, attended school. At the age of twelve years about, he went to Covington, where he entered college, remaining quite a while. He proved a bright, quick student and for him his preceptors predicted a great future. After passing through the Covington School, General Henderson entered the old Manuel Labor School in Gwinnett County and again gave evidence of the useful life which followed. From the Manuel Labor School, the General went to Athens, and entered the university, graduating with distinction in 1842. After his graduation he returned to Covington and began studying law under Judge John J. Floyd. In a short time he was admitted to the bar and soon acquired a fine practice. About 1844 he married Miss Laura E. Wood, one of Covington’s most accomplished young ladies, and soon after his marriage gave up the law for the mercantile business. Then later, he disposed of his store and purchased a farm in Newton County, where he remained until 1853. During that year, he and Colonel Henderson formed a partnership and purchased from their father the old homestead and mill property in Newton. In ‘58 the General purchased his brother’s interest and remained at the old home until the war broke out. It was during the war that General Henderson showed his devotion to his state. Early in ‘61 he left his home and reported at Big Shanty for duty. He was given a colonel’s commission and placed at the head of the Forty-second Georgia Regiment. With that regiment the general fought many hard battles, and it is said upon good authority that he commanded the confederate troops in the very last battle of the war, Bentonville, N. C. At Resaca he was promoted on the battlefield for personal valor by General Joseph E. Johnson, who witnessed a desperate charge the general lead. Only once during the war was he wounded. In one of the battles he was struck in the forehead with a minie ball. Fortunately, the ball glanced over the head, however, making an ugly wound, and leaving a scar which never disappeared. General Henderson is the father of nine children, five of whom are still living. They are, Mr. J. F. HENDERSON, Mrs. L. J. HILL, Mrs. E. Y. HILL, Mr. C. Y. HENDERSON, and Mr. W. H. HENDERSON. LATER. Gen. Henderson died at 11 a. m., Tuesday. He was conscious to the last and expressed a perfect willingness to meet his Lord and Master. His remains will be buried in Covington at 10 ½ o’clock, Thursday morning, Feb. 5th. Members of his old regiment, 42nd Georgia, will act as pallbearers. The funeral services will be conducted at the grave by Rev. Dr. Strickland. The casket will be carried from the cars direct to the cemetery. A delegation from the Confederate Veterans Association and friends and relatives of the General will accompany the remains from Atlanta to Covington. * The Georgia Enterprise, February 12, 1891 BURIAL OF GEN. HENDERSON The remains of General Robert J. Henderson was brought by special train to Covington Thursday morning accompanied by the family and many friends from abroad. The pall bearers were: Colonel W. L. Calhoun, L. P. Thomas, R. F. Maddox, W. H. Hulsey, W. T. Smith, Captains H. Y. Snow, B. F. Walker and Dr. W. M. Durham, all of whom were companions in arms with the General. Rev. Dr. G. B. Stricklen, of Atlanta, was the officiating minister. The funeral service was beautiful and impressive in its simplicity. One song was sung, “Some Sweet Day.” A chapter from the New Testament was read and a prayer offered. The coffin lid was removed so that the large assembly present who loved and honored this hero and patriot in life could look upon his face for the last time before it should be hid from earthly eyes forever. The name and fame of this noble man will live in the pages of his country’s history until time shall be no more. His people loved him to the hour of his death and will never cease to revere his memory. He died trusting in the Lord and has gone home to Glory. The world has been made better and purer by his having lived in it. May he sleep sweetly beneath the sacred sod in the voiceless City of the Dead. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/newton/obits/h/henderso5357gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb