Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-06-15
SKETCH
i THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
GEN. LEWIS CASS.

~
New Hampshire, on, ,he- 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 III 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
yalor and good conduct, and attained
the rank Of captain. He was after
werwards Major in Wayne's army land
died at an advanced age, after after
life Of usefulness and honor, at his res
idence near Dresden, in Muskingurn
county, Ohio. His son, Lewis Cass,
the subject of this biography, emigra,
ted, at the age Of seventeen, to the then
northwestern territory, and settled first
at Marietta in the county Of Washing
ton. He was thus, as he was recently
called BY the convention, of Ohio, one
of the "early pioneers Of that I'M
mense western region, which has al
ready risen to such magnitude in our
own days, and is destined to attain one
so much greater hereafter. The coun-
try north Of the Ohio then contained
one Territory and about twenty thou
sand people.
Mr.. Cass bore his iull share in the
tolls, priva,ions, and dangers to which
the defence Of new country, and its
conversion from primitive forest to
the happy abodes of civilized man, are
necessarily exposed. He read law at
Marietta, and was admitted to the bar
before the close of the territorial gov
eminent. He commenced the prac-
tice, and, as was the custom then, Wis
tied the courts in a large district Of
country, Travelling on horseback, and
encountering many difficulties unknown
TO the members of the bar at the present
day. .-.
In 1906, he was elected a member
of the Legislature of Ohio. and daring
The session he took his part Oh the bus
mess of the day. He draughtea the
law which arrested the traitorous de-
signs ofBurf, and introduced an adj
dress to Mr.. Jefferson, which was imam
imously adopted, expressing the at
tachment of the people of Ohio to the
constitution of,he United States, and
Their confluence in chat illustrious man.
In March, 1907, he was appointed by
Mr.. Jefferson, marshal of Ohio. In
Inc execution of the duties Of that Of
fee, in the business of his profession,
and in the occupation of farm in Mus
kingum county, where he resided, he
passed his tine until 1912. Then our
difficulties with England assumed a
portentous aspect. Her multiplied ag-
sressions left US no recourse but war;
and the statesmen of,he day prepared
Tor it with firmness. As one of the
preparatory arrangements, il was de-
TRIMMED to march a considerable force
tethe northwestern frontier, to be rea-
q for offensive OF defensive measures,
a circumstances might render it nee
esary. The command was given to
Cen. Hull; and regiment Of regular
tDops, which had fought with credit at
IppecaIoe, was assigned to him
b this were TO BE added three regi-
rents of Ohio volunteers. rs soon
.this demand upon their patriotism
as known, the citizens Of that State
listened to the call Of their country
nd the force was raised without delay
ediAiculty. Mr.. Cass was among
7 e volunteers, and was elected to the
y ommand of the third regiment. He
Proceeded Immediately with his regi-
nent to Dayton, whence it commenced
its march for Detroit. The country
was trackless forest, and much of it
was low and wet. Great difficulties
were interposed to the advance of the
troops by the streams and marshes, and
by the necessity of cutting road. But
these were overcome with the usual
good will and perseverance of the
American soldiers The army reached
Detroit on the 4th of July, 1879.
Official information that war would
be- declared, overlook them in the viii
derness; but the declaration itself was
not received until they reached Detroit.
Col. Cass was perhaps more urgent
for an invasion Of Canada than any
officer in Hull's army. He was dec.
dedly in favor of making an early and
decisiiue movement, before the British
should be prepared for the invasion
We conceive it to be no disparagement
to any one 10 say that he was the !. mas,
ter-spirit Of that army until the affairs al
the Canards; after which, it is Known:
be disapprovsd Of every step taken b,
The commanding general. There car
nnw he no doubt that Hubs army ne.