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Col. Philip Brent Spence, a gallant Confederate soldier, passed away at Cincinnati on Febraury, 16, 1915. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Colonel Spence was born in Davidson County, Tenn., in 1836, the youngest of a large family of children, He was educated in the neighborhood schools and at Princetone University, Of a genial and generous disposition, he won and retained through life the friendship and respect of his fellow students.

At the outbreak of the war, before the secession of Tennessee, Philip Spence went to Alabama and there enlisted in the Confederate army. During the early part of the war he was a member of the staff of Gen. Leonidas Polk, and between them there developed a strong tie of mutual friendship and regard, He distinguished himself in many of the important engagements of the war, his bravery and unfliching devotion to duty winning high commendation from his superior officers, in recognition of which he was rapidly promoted. He was wounded, but was never captured during his service.

During the latter part of the war Colonel Spence commanded the 16th Confederate Cavalry Regiment, one of the most notable of the army of the Confederacy. He claimed the distinction of commanding the Confederate forces in the last organized engagement of the war, a battle or skirmish in the vicinity of Mobile, after the surrender of Lee, and this claim is supported by a number by a number of historical writers.

After the war Colonel Spence moved to Newport, Ky., where he married Miss Virginia Berry, daughter of James T. Berry, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of that State. During the first administration of Cleveland he was postmaster at Newport, and during Cleveland's second administration he was United States Consul at Quebec, Canada, He later returned to Nashville, Tenn., where among the older residents he had a wide acquaintance.