Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-05

retired to his farm anc ordinary occupations
But his military reputation was now established,
anc public expectation was anxiously turned to-
wards him as one to whom the fortunes and honor
of DOR arms might be confidently entrusted.
Soon after the successful defence of Sackett's
Harbor, the secretary of war offered him one Of
the new raised regiments. Brown now felt his
own value, and respectfully declined the com.
mission at the same time intimating to his
friends that he was willing TO serve his country,
IN the regular army, in any rank not inferior to
that which hebore in the militia of his own state
In the course of month or two he was nominated
by the President to the senate, and commissioned
a Brigadier General in the army of the United
States.
In the autumn oft same year he was en-
ployed in experimenting and directing the trans
portation of the army down the St. Lawrence,
in General Wilkinsons expedition againt Mon
treal.
ya the descent ITSELF he commanded the elite
of the army, and at French Greek, repulsed, with
his own brigade, the naval armament which
had been sent out to harrass and retard the expe-
dition. He was not present at the battle of Viii
hansburgh, on the 18th Nov. 1913.
During the following winter General Brown
was left in command of the regular troops in the
northern military district of the state of New
York, and was laboriously and constantly en-
ployed in providing for their comfort and good
order, and IN improving and famiGarizmg himself
IN the theory and practice of modern tactics -
During the winter session of 1918, upon the for
nation OF the plan of operations for the ensuing
campaign, it was determined TO entrust the exc
cution oft, on the Niagara frontier, TO General
Brown he was accordingly appointed Major
General, and took the field early in the spring
The rest This military career who sdoes not
know Were it in my power to fill up the mag
mhcient outline his exploits, already familiar
to every mind, by the relation of additional facts
and circumstances, or any of those minute Incl
dents and traits of character which ordinarily
overlooked in contemplating the great results of
high achievement, could expatiate with fond
partlality on theme SO pleasing and so splendid.
but why should / again relate the oft-told story
OF the noble fields of Chippewa and Niagara =
These are proud recollections treasured up in the
memory, throbbing 10 the heart of hearts of eve
ry true American
IN these encounters General Brown was distin-
gulshed as much by his personal activity, and im-
PetGous courage, as by his skill and conduct. In
uie Dattie OF Niagara he received some severe
hesh wounds, winch obliged him to retire for a
snort time from active service. After few
weeks ne Resumed the command, and soon after
planned and executed the sortie from Fort Erie,
on the 18th ofSeptember, when in broad day
iiSht, With an inferior, and in part, an irregular
iorce, he surprised the enemy, drove them from
ther entertainments, spiked their cannon, de-
stroyed their works, and carried off 400 prisoners:
an exploit, which, if it be regarde led rather with
view TO the sagacity, the address, the conduct,
and courage displayed in it, than merely with re-
sPect TO the scale cooperation and Its immediate
results, must surely be considered as entitled to
ire very first rank of military merit.
In consequence of this discontinue, General
Drummond shortly aforementioned the siege, and
i l; BACK on Fort George, and the campaign
closed in that quarter
General Brown returned to his home, exult-
lng' not so much at having vanquished the van
qushers of the world, the heroes ofTalavera and
ItIofia, as IN the consciousness of having stood
iortn' IN the hour of extreme peril, the champion
ana DulWark OF his country, and of having pre-
served one OF the faIrest portions her land from
lhdiscriminate rayage and desolation.
Duiang the last winter he had meditated and
organized plan for the ensuing campaign, and
IN JANUARY, 1915, went on to the seat of govern
nent Tor the purpose of comforting with the Sc
cretary ofwar. On his return from Washington,
ne Was, on his way, to call upon Gen. Snyder, in
order to make the necessary arrangements for
caillng out the western militia of Pennsylvania,
When the news of the arrival ofthe treaty fpeace
overlook hun.
Since his return from the frontiers, General
brown has every where received the most ample
testimonials of public gratitude and respect-
y "VS' Va HiSn apprODaLOn nave been passed bY
Congress and the state legislatures, accompanied
oy presents OF swords, and services of plate and
our cities have We'd with each other in paving
hirn every civic honor. Small things, these, in
themselves yet such have power to rouse the ge-
nerons mind 20 loftest enterprize-to knde ma.
tional gratitude-to animate the national feeling
Ito eXait national character.
In contemplating General Browns progress to
tame and fortune, we cannot but be forcibly inn
pressed with the sense of the inestimable advan-
tages which this country enjoys, in the facility
With which talents ofevery kind find full range
for their enterprise and activity. In most other
countries, society is divided by ancient usage, by
lazy and positive institution, by the natural effects
OF Dad government and too crowded population
INTO caste completely separated, and, rs it WERE
walled nom each other, so that every trade and
profession seems 60 have become the peculiar
property OF those individuals who have been train.
ed from infancy 70 move in its narrow routine
and guard It with jealous caution against all in
trusion. Here, on the other hand, talents of eve
ry species are suffered 20 roam at large, without
restraint over the whole field of human science
and art, and enterprise.
TINS circumstance alone, did we possess no
other advantages, by thus enabling every ndvi
quar- under the unerring guidance Of personal in.
terest, To md that employment for which nature
and education had best qualified him, lays broad
and sure foundation for national opnlence; while
the long list of wise and brave men whom great
emergencies have raised up to the service ofour
country, may teach us to look 10 the same cause
N every state Of our public fortunes, as tile ccr-
tan source OF hope or consolation, and Of glory