Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-11-26
GENERAL WORTH.

'-~e~>- -
We have seldom heard an old soldier recour
the history of his life and 'fght his battles DER
gain" with greater sincerity or more honest enthr
siasm than friend exhibited in our sanctum o
Saturday, while reading Of the gallant conduc
of his old chum, "Will. Worth" They wer
clerks together thirty five years ago, in Hudson
New fork-clever, industrious young men. Gu
friend by no means lacked spirit but was of rathe
q quiet business turn, while Worth was of a ner
vous quick temperament, with fiery eye and rest
less disposition, daring, confident and Independent,
as lord" While thus employed, recruiting
Sergeant for it was in the early part Of the late
war with England, paraded the streets Of Hudson
drumming up ''yOung generals" to fight for ssffee
trade and sailors rights" Enough had transpired
already TO rouse to the highest pitch all Worth's
martial ardor, and without second thought he bo-
| came soldier.
! Worth's ancestry, our friend informs us, were
from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts,, a proud,
bold stock. OF high and somewhat arisocratic bear
ing. Some of the family had intermarried with the
noblest and bravest of the Indians of New England.
mus uniting the best blood of the aborgnes and of
the primitive settlers OF the Old Bay State
worth, when young, to all the energetic and free
born nature OF the Anglo American, added the roam
ing 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 10 make OF such mate
rial a valiant soldier and successful officer.
worth had been garrisoned for some months ut
-, where the misconduct of. fellow soldier
set him upon the first round of the ladder. Worth
was BROTHER then, as now, to soldier i'm Distress
and encouraged his fellow, after he had been made
known the penalty of his conduct, to make to the
commanding officer representation of the affair
in writing. He pleaded his ignorance and want of
skill IN writing, and the probability of failure
"Here, give me PEN" said Worth, and i'm few
minutes, dashed of, in clear bold hand and unas-
Stunning manner, a few lines indicating the soldier
IN strong terms, and presenting his case in view
not entertained before The soldier presented it to
his officer: "Did you write this 2" was quickly
asked and answered in the negative s'vho did? 90
Private Worth, sir'' ''Send Private Worth to
me-" In few minutes Worth presented himself
with the same rather clustering and consequential
AR that usually marked his bearing, and with
prompt AT var service sir" ''Dd you write
this =" IL did, sir,'' short and quick Sundry
questions Were asked to his former occupation,
object IN entering the army, &C., which were an
swered in the same positive and reckless tone and
Worth was dismissed with ''Come TO nv maroue
In the morning" There was so little that was en-
couraging In the Commanders tone that Worth
was totally unconscious of the good fortune in store
tor him, when he appeared next morning, and the
officer observed 81 want you for my private secrc-
tary."
This was enough for Worth. His active reso-
lutte and determined manner and commanding ap-
when they first met, who forthwith selected him
as his Aid.-Opportunity soon occurred, and in the
the early part of the battle of Lundy's Lane while
charging bravcy upon the enemy, Worth fell, it
was supposed mortally wounded. No one who
has ever read the history of that battle,-amost
in the severity of the contest the OBJ
stnacy with which the veterans Of England main
tanned their ground, and the irrepressible ardor
which marked every charge OF the Americans, in
the face OF bayones and cannons.--can fail TO ap-
preciate the intrepdity and gallant bearing of
Worth on that occasion. When he fell two of his
soldiers attempted To bear him from the field when
ball struck one of them, scattering his brains c.
yer Worth and his companion. The other seized
INN In his arms, and carried him from the reach of
the enemy. His friends mourned him as dead, and
months elapsed before his wounds had so far healed
as 10 enable HIM to return To the service.
But we have not time to follow him through his
various successes and promotions, and his gallant
and distinguished conduct in the Florida war. The
part he acted in the capture Of Monterey was bold
deliberate and eminently successful. They under
rated his military talents, who supposed his COM
mendable determination to add laurels to his name
TO atone Tor his unfortunate absence from the army
on the memorable 9Th and 9th of May would urge
HIM headstrong into the fight, needless Of his own
HE, or the lives of his men. Worth was always
bold intrepid, sometimes reckless of consequences
when duty prompted but calm and collected, when
lie knew success hung upon cool, deliberate and de-
cisve action His Government has rewarded his
'corth by steady promotion, and his countrymen,
with one voice. bestowed ''honor upon whom hon
or Is due" The wiSest act OF the President in the
whole conduct OF the war, was that which refused
North'S proifered resignation and restored him to
the army and his country.-.haysriUc Eagle.