The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16
B OG IL A HY
OF
GENERAL LEWIS CASS.

GENERAL LEWIS CASS.
LEWIS CAss was born in Exeter, New
Hampshire. His ancestors were among
the first settlers in that part of the coun-
try, and his father bore commission in
the revolutionary army, which he joined
the day after the battle Of Lexington,
and IN which he continued until the
close of the war; having participated
in the memorable battles of Bunker
Hill, Saratoga. Princeton, Trenton,
Monmouth, and Germantown. He was
alterward major in Wayne's army
In 1899, he removed with his family TO
Marietta, but eventually settled at
Wackalomoka, in the vicinity of Zanes-
vile, IN Ohio, where, after lite of hon
orabe usefulness, he died in August,
1880.
His son, LEWIS CAss, was educated
at the academy in Exeter, and studied
law at Marietta, under the late Govern
or Meigs. He was admitted to the bar
in 1902, and pursued the practice of
his profession successfully during sew
eral years.
In 1906. he was elected a member
of the Ohio Legislature. When the en-
terprise of Colonel Burr began TO agi-
tate the country. he was appointed on
the committee to which the subject was
referred, and drafted the law which en-.
abed the local authorities to arrest the
men and boats on their passage do wn
the Ohio. This law, interposng the
arm ofthe State. bafled a project which
was generally believed to have been
Of a revolutionary character, and in
tended to divide the Western from the
Eastern States. The same pen draft
ed the address 70 Mr.. Jefferson, which
unfolded the views of the Ohio Legisla-
ture on this momentous subject.
In 1907, Mr.. Cass was appointed
marshal of the State, which office he
resigned in 1913. In 1912, he voun-
teered his services in the force which
was called out to join the army under
General William Hull, and marched to
Dayton, where he was elected colonel
of the 3rd regiment of Ohio volunteers.
Having to break through an almost
trackiess wilderness, the army suffered
much on its route to Detroit, and it was
necessary that the officers OF the voIun-
teers should be exemplars in fatigue
and privations, lest the men, unused 10
military discipline, should turn back IN
encouragement. Colonel Cass was
among the most urgent for an invasion
of the Canadian province Immediately
after the army arrived at Detroit; but
General Hull did not cross the river un-
til after the lapse of several days, and
thereby lost all the advantages of
prompt and decisive movement. The
advanced detachment was commanded
by Colonel Cass, and he was the first
man who landed IN arms on the enc
my's shore, after the declaration Of
war. Colonel Cass soon dislodged the
British posted at the bridge over the
Canard's. There he maintained his
ground, in expectation that the army
would advance and follow up the sue
cess, by striking at Maiden; but he was
disappointed by the indecision of the
general, who ordered the detachment
TO return.
In all the timorous and inefficient
measures which followed, ColoneI Cass
had no responsible participation. His
known disapprobation of the course
pursued, made him an unwecome coun-
seIor at headquarters. Colonel Cass
Immediately repaired to Washington,
and made a report to Government. In
the following spring he was exchanged.
and appointed colonel Of the 9th reg
iment of infantry, and soon after was
promoted to the rank of brigadler gen
eral. He joined General Harrison at
Seneca, and crossing Lake Erie with
him, after Perry's victory, was present
in the pursuit of Proctor, and partici-
pated in the triumph at the Moraviissln
towns; on which Occasion Uhough a
sen.;,1iI othcer) he accompanied Colonel
Johnson's mounted regiment, in the
charge which ended in the total route
of the English army and their savage
allies. The northwestern campaign