Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-22
From The HiasAisgtoa Giose.
GENERAL MACOMB.

\ dENE1aL mANOMDs
The obsequies of this gallant anc
good man were attended not merely
with thes ceremonies directed, but the
unaffected sorrows Of the whole people
His career was military from infancy tc
the close Of life, and throughout model
Of the Republican soldier. He was born
10 Detroit, when garrison, in 1882. His
father removed to New York few years
afterwards, and the son, at the nge of six.
teen, was elected into select company
called the New York Rangers" This
corps volunteered and entered the service
of the United States, (under the provis.
ions Of an act Of Congress) to defend the
country from an apprehended French in.
vssion. He rose from the ranks to the
head of the army Of the United States al
as Commander. in Chief. In 1899 he was
raised to 4 cornetcy--next to a second
Lieutenancy in company Of Dragons
and with a body Of recruits, raised by
himself, he joined General Wilkinson on
the Western frontier, and was there en-
gagged with, him in settling the difficulties
with the Indians. He went with General
Wilkinson into the Cherokee country, and
spent year on this mission. He was Of.
forwards attached TO corps Of engineers
as first Lieutenant, and was sent to West
Point, to perfect his education for this
service. He was made adjuiant Of the
corps at West Point, and in 1905 was
commissioned captain, and the fortifica-
ton of the seaboard was given in charge
to him. In 1908 he was promoted 20 the
rank Of major and superintendent of the
Notifications. Just before the war he was
appointed q lieutenant. colonel. He was
then employed at Washington in giving
system to oar army in anticipation Of hos
tllltles, and upon the declaration OF war
was commissioned Colonel Of the third
Regiment Of Artillery. The Regiment
was to consist Of 90 companies Of l1s men
each. His command was that of di.
vision, except in name. On the North
ern frontier be distinguished himself al
Niagara and Fort George, crowned his
uninterruptedly useful and successful ser.
vice, by repellirg at Plattsburg the formi
dable invasion of the Governor General
of the Canadas, Sir George Provost, com.
manding fourteen thousand troops, por.
ton of them attachments from the army,
which fought under Wellington in Spain.
This important victory covered the Gene
raj with bonors. New York and Yer
mont were foremost in voting him testi.
monals of gratitude and respect. The
President of the United States raised him
| IN tho tapk NJ "a M.ior Gaparal
After the war, General Macomb was
put in command at Detroit, pos. Of great
trust, and signalized by The treachcry and
cowardce of Hull, who in its surrender
had opened the way to invasion and the
consequent disasters which befcl the north.
western portion Of the Union. In 1921
General Macomb was called to Washing.
ton as chief of the Engineer Department,
and on the death Of General Brown was
appointed COMMANDMENTS Chief OF the a r.
my of the United States.
This exemplary soldier and officer de.
serves the exalted praise of having passed
from the lowest to the highest grade, ia
every variety ofmiitary service, shedding
us,re on all. He was not only found
|
and most responsible profession, but had
the peculiar facility of effeciuating the OBJ.
jecis Of what is generally harsh, stern,
and despo.ic station, by kind and gen.
| tie, but firm performance Of its duties.
Gen. Macomb was alike respected and
loved by the common soldier. He was a
dlsciplinarian ; but not Of the cat or the
cane. 1.-The pride, pomp, and circum-
stance" OF war were captivating to him
and he infused the same feeling into all he
commanded. They caught the feeling
from hum, and became accomplished sol.
diers through sympathy with their &C.
neral, instead of suffering under his Sc
verify.
To us, ii speaks volume Of praise in
favor Of General Macomb's personal char.
acier, that while he attained the highest
distinction in his profession, and nude his
way to it through almost half century
of active service, without mourning dis
honorable mputation-indeed, without
blame, we believe, for fault. He was
never one of those whose ambition or jeal-
ousy made the faults OF others his mark,
nor prosecuted nor intrigued to supplant
superiors. He rose by honest, able, pa
;rlotic devotion to his duties, avoiding the
envious, selfish chickering's, which make
ambition any thing but virtue.
AS neighbor we have known the Ia
mented Commander-in-Chiei intimately
for the last ten years. There never lived
kindier man in social ife--his happi.
ness seemed to consist in making others
happy. His cheerful disposition-the
good nature which induced him to be al
ways foremost in getting up balls and pa
geants, and other amusements which de-
light the young and gay--was sometimes
thrown up 10 him by the aussere as de-
tracing from the dignity Of his station.
But neither his military pride nor his
sense Of exalted place, nor all the austerity
which advanced age brings with it, could
quell the buoyant spirit which took de-
light in seeing others delighted. His ge-
NAL temper to the last induced him to lead
the innocent sports of the young and light
hearted. His house was ever the scene
of hospitable entertainment, and, where.
ever he went, his countenance beamed
with the happy benignity Of his bosom,
and shed its light on every innocent fes-
liviiy.