Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-11-26
GENERAL WORTH.

We have seldom heard an old soldier recount
the history of his life and fight his battles DER a.
GAIN" with greater sincerity or more honest en-
thusiasm than friend exhibited in our sanctum
on Saturday, while reading the gallant conduct of
his old chum, "WiL Worth" They were clerks
together thlrty-hve years ago, in Hudson, n. York
clever, industrious young men, Our friend by
no means lacked spirit but was rather ola quiet bu-
sness trrn, while Worth was nervous, quick tenn
perment, with frey eye aud restless disposition
daring, confident, and independent 4" as lord."--
While thus employed recruiting Sergeant for it
was in the early part of the late war with Great
Britain, paraded the streets Of Hudson, drumming
up "young generals" to fight for free trade and
sailors rights" Enough had been said already to
rouse to the highest pitch all of Worth's martial
ardor, and without second thought, he became
soldier
Worth's ancestry, our friend informed us, were
from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, a proud,
bold stock Of high and somewhat arstoc ratio bear
ing. Some OF the family had interlnarried with
the noblest and bravest of the Indians Of N. Eng
land, thus uniting the best blood of the abOrg ines
and of the primitive settlers OF the Old Bay State.
WORTH when young, to all the energetic and free
born nature a. the Anglo American, added the
roaming and restless, warrior disposition of the
red man Of the forest. With broad forehead,
high cheek bones piercing eye stout athletic frame,
quick, warm blood, and brave and fearless heart
the war offered the opportunity to make of such
materials valiant soldier and a successful officer.
Worth had been garrisoned for some months at
-, where the misconduct Of fellow soldier,
set him upon the first round OF the ladder. Worth
was broher then, as now, to soldier in distress,
and encouraged his fellow, after he had been made
known the penalty of his conduct, to make TO The
commanding officer a representation OF the affair
in writing. He pleaded his ignorance and want of
skill in writing, and the probabilities of failure
" Here, give me pen,' said Worth, and in few
| .t,al .Ia L..ll l,.1
suming manner, few lines vlndcatmg the soldier,
in strong terms, and presenting his case in man
ner not entertained before.
The soldier presented it to his officer. "Did
you write this 2" quickly asked, and answered
in the negative. "Who did 2" "Private Worth,
sr." Send private Worth 10 me.,' In few
minutes Worth presented himself with the same
rather clustering and Consequential air that usual
" marked his bearing, and with prompt A." Al yonr
service, SIR" Sid you write this" :" did, sir "
replied Worth, short and quick. Sundry questions
were asked as TO his former occupation, his object
| in entering the army, &C., which were answered
In the same positive and reckless tone, and Worth
was dismissed WITH "Come to my marque in the
morning." There was so little that was encodr-
aging in the Commanders tone, that Worth was
totally unconscious of the good fortune in store for
him, when he appeared next morning, and the Off
Ger observed, 81 want you TOR my private secreta-
ry."
This was enough for Worth. His active, reso-
lutte and determined manner, and commanding APP
pearance struck the scrutnzing eye of Gen. Scott,
when they first met who forthwith selected him as
his Aid. Opportunity soon occurred for him to dis
play his bravery, and in the early part of the bat
tie of Lundy's Lane, while charging bravely upon
! the enemy Worth fell, it was supposed, mortally
wounded. No one who has ever read the history
of the battle almost unparalleled in the severity
of the contest the obstnacy with which the vet
Grams of England maintained the ground, and the
repressble ardor which marked every charge of
the Americans, in the face of bayonets and can
non-can fail to appreciate the nterpdity and gal
liant bearing of Worth on that occasion. When
he fell two Of his soldiers attempted to bear him