( Jeneral
Clinumm was b rn at Huntsv die,
Yadkin county, and graduated at the
State University. He studied law, but
jjst as he was abjut 10 enter upon the
practice was eiected to the H u-;e of
Commons of the Legislature from his
native county. Upon his retirement
from that body he moved, in 1836, to
Asheville, and was soon elected to the
State Senate. In 1843 he was elected
to Congres-, and, with the exception
of one term was a member of lire
House of Representatives until trie
Thirty-fifth Congress, when he was
appointed chairman of the committee
on foreign affairs. Upon the resigna
tion of II hi. Asa Piggs he was ap
pointed by the Governor, United
States Senator, and in November,
1 85S, was elected Senator by the Leg
islature. At the breaking out of the
war he entered the Confederate service
and for this was expelled from the Sen
ale in July, 1861. He rose to the
rank of brigadier-general, and won
the reputation of a gallant officer. He
was never in public office after the war
but contributed much to the fund of
knowledge about the geology and
mineralogy of the State. Pew men
had explored our mountains more
thoroughly, and one of their peaks
which he explored and measured, de
servedly bears his name.
One of the stirring incidents of
General Ciingman's life was a duel
fought with William L. Yancey, while
both were members of Con -ress.
