Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/232

 220 Southern Historical Society Papers.

commenced again the successful practice of law at Charlotte Court- house, Va., greatly aiding his people by his wise and conservative course and advice as they struggled through the horrors of the so- called " days of reconstruction."

In 1870 Colonel Carrington was made clerk of the courts of Char- lotte county and so remained an invaluable official to the day of his death. The disease contracted while a prisoner at Johnson's Island made such inroads upon his health that he became an invalid for four years before he succumbed. During this period he would often discourse upon the war and the events which came under his observation. His descriptions of campaigns and battles were par- ticularly interesting. His great conception of military affairs and his engagement in so many campaigns and battles gave him a rich experience, and these, reinforced by remarkable descriptive powers and fine command of language, made him a most charming authority upon all such subjects.

Colonel Carrington was very handsome and commanding in ap- pearance, and his conduct and bearing impressed all who came in contact with him that he was " every inch the soldier." He exer- cised a superb control over his men, who were greatly devoted to him, not so much through stern military discipline as through the confidence and love inspired by just actions and brave deeds.

He died on the 22d day of January, 1885. His body rests in Richmond, near the honored dead of his family his spirit survives in the vale of Valhalla, the home of redeemed heroes. At Char- lotte Courthouse a camp of Confederate veterans was formed some years ago, and called " H. A. Carrington Camp, C. V.," in honor of Colonel Carrington, and a monument erected there since will aid to keep in grateful remembrance the life, service and character of a noble patriot, who was in every relation of life true to his family, his country and his God.