The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-06-30
SKETCH


OF
GENERAL CASS.
Lewis Cass was born at Exeter, in ". Hamp-
shire, on the 9th day of October, 1882 His
father, Major Jonathan Cass, was soldier of
the revolution, who enlisted as private the
day after the battle of Lexington He served
in the army till the close of the war, and was
in all the important battles in the eastern and
middle States, where he was distinguished for
his vaor and good conduct, and attained the
rank of Captain. He was afterwards major
in Wayne's army, and died at an advanced
age, after life of usefulness and honor, at his
residence near Dresden, Muskingum county,
Ohio His son, Lewis Cass, the subject of this
biography, emigrated, at the age of IL, to The
then northwestern territory, and settled first
ct Marietta, in the county of Washington
He was thus, as he was recently called by the
convention of Ohio, one of the early pioneers
of that immense western region, which has al,
ready risen to such magnitude in our days,
and Is destined to attain one so much greater
hereafter The country north Of the Ohio then
cantaned one Territory and about twenty
thousand people.
Mr.. Cass bore his full share In the toils pri
vations, and dangers to which the defence of
a new country, and its conver,ion from priti
tive forest to the happy abodes of civilized
man, are necessarily exposed. He read law
at Marietta, and was admitted TO the bar be-
fore the close Of the territorial Government
He commenced the practice, and as was the
custom then, visited the courts of large dis
trict of country travelling on horseback, and
encountering many difficulties unknown to the
members of the bar at the present day.
In 1s06, he was elected a member of the
legislature of Ohio, and during the session he
took his part in the business of the day. He
druuehted the law which arrested the traitor,
Gus designs of Burr, an introduced an address
to Mr.. Jefferson, which was unanimously adop
ted, expressing the attachment of the people
of the State of Ohio to the constitution of the
United States, and their confidence in that H.
lustrious man. In March, 1907, he was ap-
pointed, by Mr.. Jefferson marshall of Ohio -
In the execution of the duties Of that Office, in
the business of his profession and in the occu
patton Of farm in Muskingum county, where
he resided, he passed his time until iSl2-
Then our difficulties with England assumed a
porteniious aspect. Her multiplied agrees
slons left us no resourse but war, and the
statesmen of the day prepared for it with firm
ness. As OF the preparatory arrangements,
II was determined to march considerable
force to the northwestern frontier to be ready
for offensive or defensive measures, as circum
stances might render it necessary. The com
mand was given to General HULL and reg.
ment of regular troops, which had fought with
credit at Tipp ecanoe, was assigged to him.
To this were to be added three regiments of
Ohio volunteers. AS soon as this demand up
on their patriotism was known, the citizens Of
that State fastened to the call of their coun-
try, and the force was raised without delay or
difficulty. Mr.. Cass was among the volun.
teers, and was elected to ihe command Of the
third regiment. He proceeded Immediately
with his command to Dayton, where the army
was concentrated and whence it commenced
its march fer Detroit. The country was track
less forest, and much of it was low and wet.-
Great difficulties were interposed to the ad
vance ofthe troops by the streams and marsh
e., and ny the necessity of cutting road
But these were overcome by the usual good
will and perseverance OF the American sol
diers. The army reached Detroit on the 4 h
of July, 1919.
Official information that war would be de-
clared, overlook them in the wilderness: but
the declaration itself was not received until
they reached Detroit. Col. Cass as perh ps
more urgent for an invasion of Canada than
any oher officer in Hul's army. lie was de.
cidedly in favor Of m king an curly d'rniee
movement, befor the Brush should be prepared
for the invasion. We conceive it to be no dis
parag emt mt TO any one to say that he was The
master spirit Of that army until the affair at
the Canards; after which it j, known he dis
spproxed OF every step taken By the comman !.
ing general. There can now be no doubt tnat
Hulps army never would have entered Cana
da but tor the persuasions OF Col Cass. So
anxious as he to push forward and do some-
thing 10 meet the just expectations OF Tie ad
minlslration aud the country, that he com-
handed the ~dyanced detachment, and was
the .fr,t man 10 land III aims IN The enemy s
coahtry.
On the 18th of July he was ordered to at
tack British detachment stationed at the riv-
er Aux Canards, about Is miles from Detroit,
and miles from Fort Maiden, then the Bat
ish headquarters. He crossed the river sonie
distance above the eneiny's posts, unj UrIskiy
attacked tneini when, alter soune loss, the,
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