The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-10-20
THE LATE CAPTAIN PAGE.
sY AN OFFICER or raB ARMY.
E1om Ihe Ne,e OrIeaas ~

g,c,,,r,. a, the steamboat Missouri, has
-. a.ao,,rsJ i, slinosI all the news
,,.1o,s oT,be United States: but justice
= sis memory requires that at least
5nef account Of his public services aud
nrigate virtues should be given 70 his
country, 10 whose service his youth aud
manhood were devoted, and finally upon
whose altar he offered his life.
Csptain PACE entered the army as a
Second Lieutengni in the 9th regiment oi
infantry on The 18Th Of February, 1918:
was promoted to the grade Of First Lieut.
onani on the lst OF January, 1919: aad
received the full commission OF Captain
in the linc on the Both of April, 1881.
lie was FER many years actively en-
ployed in the Subsistence Department IL
Florida, and for long period also filed
the post of Assistant Quartermaster, being
the active officer of that department in
she original establishment of Fort Brooke
Tampa Bay, IN 1923.
In August, 1892, he was appointed,
by the direction of President Jackson.
emiersliRg and dlsbursing agent IN the
removal Of The Choctaw Indians to the
country west Of the Mississippi river, as
signed as The future homes Of the various
Xnd;an tribes, and was entrusted success
siyely with the emigration OF the Greeks
Cherokees, and Chickasaws.
The policy of removing the ladlah
tribes from contact with the whites was
deemed essential TO the internal peace Of
the States within whose lini'sthcy resided
and il was a delicate and difficult task,
even after the Indians had pledged them
selves by treaty with the General Gov
ernment TO eniigrate, 10 execute.
Their attachment to their native woods,
nextto revenge the strongest feeling in an
Indians breast, the disirust with which
lhev lcok upon the whites, their faith
Sesepess in tile observance Of treaty stipn-
lations,had TO be naturalized 81 combated.
The zeal, intelligence, and fidelity OF
Captain Page, after incredible labor on
his part, accomplished the object without
bloodshed.
During his employment on this duty
he disbursed millions OF public money
with the most scrupulous regard to the
faith of the Government and lnstice 10 the
Indians. He enjoyed TO the fullest ex-
tent the confidence of the Department III
his connexion with the Indian tribes, and
by the Indians themselves was beloved.
On the breaking cut of hosilides in
Florida Captain Page was in Washington,
and being pres el by General Scott
To accompany him in his staff, was at an
early day engaged in the long and sangui-
nary contest with the Seminole Indians.
lie served in Florida at different periods
during the continuance Of the war with
untiring zeal. In l94I Mr.. Poinsett,
then Secretary Of War, despairing of
closing the war in Florida by the usual
process OF hostile operations, determined
10 try the friendly Offices Of delegation
OF The emtgrated Seminoles, and with this
view, selected Capt Page, from his
knowledge OF Indian character, and con-
sepucnt fitness for the enterprise, to pro-
cecd 10 the Seminole country, west of
Fort Gibson, and preveil upon as many
OF the most influential of the nation as in
his Judgment might be necessary to aid in
the pacifcaiion of their hostile brethren.
He succeeded, and with his frieudly dele
cation repaired TO the seat of war and re-
ported to Gen. Armtstead. With this
delegation he operated, and in very short
time brought about the surrender Of sew
eral hundred Of the Indians.
He left Florida in May, lS4l, with
Gen. Armisiead, but returned early in the
fall of the next year, and remained in the
field of duty with his regiment until the
termination OF the war by Gen Worth IN
1872 His regiment was then relieved
from duty in Florida. and he accompanied
1t to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; where
h was permitted to repose for time,
blessed with the society of his wife and
children. But this period of happiness
was brief, and the last he enjoyed on
earth. In May, ls44, his regiment was
ordered TO Natchtoches, Louisiana, being
an element OF the force destined for the
frontier of Texas, pending the PROPOSE
ton TO annex that Republic, as state, to
the American Union.
In this movement Capt Page accom-
panied his regiment. In July, l545, cir
cumstances placed him temporarily at lis
head. and be conducted il 10 the shores Of
81. Joseph's island and Corpus Christi
those almost unknown regions; since
which time he has maintained his posi-
ton as a soldier in the field, exposed to
the hardships, privations, and diseases
incident to the service and climate, resist
ing the appeals Of Family and friends,
though for some time disabled for duty by
illaess, and devoting himself TO the last
momcni to the calls Of the service of his
country. That devotion he sealed with
his lie. He fell nobly in the memorable
action Of Palo Alto, on The 9Th of May
last, while commanding the leading divis-
ion Of his regiment in support of the bat
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