American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-03
from the Howard istyict Hras..l
DEATH OF CAPTAIN RANDOLPH
RIDGELY.

A brave and gallant spirit has sunk to rest
The bride orthg army--the idol ofhs country
the hero of manybatle fields, has suddenly
persisted by casualty Of ordinary life. The
nation mourRs his fall, and the circumstances
Of his death but increase the poignancy OF the
general sorrow. To have expired upon the held
of battle, amidst the roar Of artillery,-the rat
ting Of musketry, the shock of charging
squadrons-and the maddening rush OF Vctorl-
Gus conhct-wth the smoke of battle forming
a colded canopy above him-such would nave
boon a fitting termination to the brilliant Mill
tary career of Captain Randolph Rdgely But
alas! he courted death upon the battle field, IN
vain. His impetuous spirit sought the hercest
perils Of the fight, and amidst carnage and
death, he rode, triumphant and unframed 10
victory. Throughout the campaigns IN FLORIDA
and in Mexico, he served with distinguished
honor, and braved 4 thousand dangers and
constant exposure to every form of death. But
his deeds Of herosm, it is unnecessary to re-
count, for they are familiar to every heart
No officer was better qualified for the duties OF
his profession. He had received an accom-
plshed military education at West Point lie
possessed great presence of mind, and remarka-
BILE self possession; and TO the quiCkness and ra-
pdity of his judgment and great personal actl-
yity, he was indebted, probably, Tor much OF
his success The manner Of his death Is the
more surprising, as he was known to ne one OF
the most accomplished riders in the Union
Apart from his superior qualifications as an Oh
fcer, he possessed, in an eminent degree, those
REQUISITES of mind and heart which are honor
ed and esteemed in private life. Accomplished
in his manners and address, noble in his dspo-
stion, generous in heort those qualities, united
ts the fearlessness of his spirit, gave charm to
his character which won for him the love and
admiration ofull who knew him.
Although his death is greatly amented by
every inhabtant of the Union, it is here, where
he was personally known to every cltZen-lt
is in This place, in the vicinity OF which Is his
parental home and his domestic altar, that
there will be experienced deeper griet-a
more enduring sensation OF sorrow. But VINO
can appreciate the depth Of anguish felt by the
members of that circle with which he was con-
nected by every endearing domestic tie! Those
who have been similarly afflicted, may, per
haps, have some conception of the intensity oil
their sufferings In this case, the blow was
more terrific, for it fell upon hearts unprepared
for such calamity, Had the bitter tidings o
his death followed an anticipated engagement
with the enemies of his country, the shock
which has now overpowe cred them in the dust
WOuiu nave UcGI Tess VI ucl dilu loICilllCSS' DN
in the moment of rejoicing for his persona
safety from the late desperate conflict of arms
while experiencing the flush Of qualification
for his success, and perhaps the excitement o
iustiiabIe pride from the high encomiums, Sc
deservedy bestowed upon him by his admiring
countrYmen, this was the period selected by
remorseless fate to lacerate the hearts tina
loved him. If the sincerest sympathy ofevery
heart can impaft consolation to the agonlze'
minds Of his relatives, we can offer the assnr
ances of It's existence and Of its expression
The debt ofgrattude which the country owe
to one who has given lusre TO her arms, viii
be paid in honors to his son. His bereavet
wife can press the child of her bosom still clio
ser to her heart, and cherish the conviction
that il vii! inherit the rich legacy of his ia
theirs fame. The parents, sisters and brother
of the deceased, may derive some alienation q
their distress, from the reflection, that he die
in the midst OF his we'll earned honors, Will
the laurel wreath was fresh from his brow, an
his coun,rynen and the world were yet aP
plaudng his gaIlantry.