The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-20
AN OHIO DEMOCRAT.
CAPTAIN FREMONT.
"Ths man ofmodet mien, and flashing eye"

"TAs man Of modest nitn and flashing eye"
To the Editor Of the Union:
SIR Enclosed herewith you will please find an
authentic and carefully prepared account Of Capt
Fremont, of the United States army.
have supposed that sketch of this celebrated
explorer of Oregon and California, would be con-
sdercd interesting to your readers and to the pub
lic
Captain Fitmont, whose celebrated explorations
IN the farthest west are the theme Of universal
applause, is native of South Carolina the son of
widow, and the architect of his own fortunes Left
an orphan at four years of age, with brother and
sister younger than himself, his mother until he
was seventeen, provided for his support and educa
ton. AT that age he began to provide for himself,
and for those connected with him. For three years
he taught mathematics, perfecting his own educa-
ton, and giving all his earnings beyond his neces-
sary support to his mother and the two younger
children. AT the age Of twenty his skill in mathe-
mates procured him employment on the railroad
explorations undertaken by the State of South Car
DINA, to connect the Atlantic ocean and the Ohio
RIVER at the two points of Charleston and Cincinna-
II; and this gave him occupation in the mountainous
region OF North Carolina and Tennessee, and first
Injured him to moutain life, and led him to commence
the scientific observations OF the heavens and the
earth he has since extended over SO vast a field
While engaged in this business, an increase was
made by Congress in some branches of the regular
army. Gen. Jackson was the President of the
United States, and directed onehul of the new APP
pontments TO be taken from the class of citizens;
and out Of this class the young Fremont OBJ
tanned place among the junior officers of the topo-
graphical engineers. The wise and patriotic de-
csion OF General Jackson opened the door for this
appointment, but il required the merit of the app
cant to obtain it. The Typographical corps is emf
neny scientific; and the young Fremont, never hav-
ing been at the national military academy had to
stand an examination before he could be appointed
board OF eminent officers examined him. He
stood the test OF this severe ordeal lie triumphed
~ MS examination; and thus won his way TO a
place which the enlightened patriotism of Jackson
had laid oper 20 the competition of riendless merit
ms was hrst fruit-a rich one-of having been n
teacher of mathematics What an encouragement
to young men who have TO advance themselves by
their own exertons!
No sooner was he appointed than he went into
active service IN the field and spent the first year in
the Cherokee country, in the Typographical surveys
under Captain Williams, which the anprehended
hostiites of the southern Indians rendered neces-
sary to the expected military operations. The next
year ne was sent ms an assistant To the celebrated
astronomer, Mr. Nlcolet, TO the valley of the Upper
MISSISSIPPI and was engaged two years in that re-
mote region m aiding that eminent savan in collect
ing the materials, verifying the facts and nstituting
the sevesty thousand meteorological observations
upon which the great photographic and topographic
map OF NIcollet and Fremont was constructed, and
rom which so many publishers Of maps have levied
''contrbutons," without acknowledging the source
from which they came. In 1S42 Lieutenant Frs
mont first became commander of separate cx-
petition, and explored the country between the
Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains, to
,he south Pass and Fremont's Peak; and the
olef, modest, military, and scientific report which
ne made OF this exploration, Immediately made his
name known IN Europe and America as one of the
distinguished explorers Of the age. In Is42-'44 he
went upon his great expedition TO Oregon and
North California; the report Of which, published by
oruer OF Congress, is now attracting universal at
tention. In lS45, he has gone upon his third on.
pedItlon, determined upon a complete military and
scientific exploration OF all the vast and almost un
known regions between the Rocky mountains and
the Pacific ocean, and between the Oregon river
and the Gulf Of California. This expedition is ex-