The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-26

Cursory sketches Of Gene raj Cass.
No. ".
MIcu1cAN Seotember

Cass then in command Of Detroit and lis dependencies
to repair to Detroit and report myself for duty. had
been Tor some time on the recruiting service in Dayton,
Ohio, and was much gratfed this opportunity to JON
my old companion in The track followed from
Dayton to Detroit was that made by the armies OF Hull
and Harrison. The pathway uniDhabed save only
by two or three small garrsons between Urbana and
Detroit arrived at Detroit shortly after the battle of
the Thames Between Urbana and the river Raisin never
before nor SINCE witnessed such scenes OF devastation
and horror The track literally lined with broken
wagons, ox-chans ox-yokes, and pack saddles. The
instances were not unrequen where horse, saddle, and
pack were IN the mire together. Dead and dead
horses were to be almost every mile of the distance
and to add to these distressing sights ! between
Fort Megs and the river Raisn several skeletons of hu
man beings, hunted down and murdered by the Indians
after Winchesers battle the latter place They had
been overlooked when their friends and relations ven
and consign them to the tomb informed d friend re-
siding at the ryer Raisn of this discovery, and the
skeletons were collected and received Christian burial
This occurred the latter part OF October 1913 After my
arrival at Detroit | was assigned by Gen Cass to the
command OF detachment of the 10th regiment United
States infantry about 200 men, In the month of Decem
Der following, the General, with Captain Putnuf and
myself received orders to repair 10 Albany to attend the
court martial about to assemble for the trial of Gen Hull
Gen. Cass with the officers before named left Detroit
for Albany on Christmas day, accompanied by army
Judge Advocate Wills and Major Langham. The jour
ney was performed on horseback and each had TO
carry his own provisions. The first night after leaving
| Detroit, encamped at Brownstown the second al
Bay Settlement and the third night at Fort Megs One
third OF the distance from Bownstown to the river Rasin
Us mlles) was continuous swamp, crossed by num-
Der of deep, muddy streams running into the lake and
Detroit river, On account Of the depth of water and
mlre and not being frozen sufficiently TO bear, they were
very difficult TO pass shall never forget an incident
that occurred in crossing the stream short distance
from the river Huron; Our party muddy and wet
from fording the creek Brownsown and after reach
ing the point where the incident occurred found the
creek frozen All looked at it with dread of
crossing Some rode up and others down., to find ID the
best fordng place. While in this dilemma, Judge Wills,
who had fallen in the rear-having stopped to hold al
private chat with his canteen-Icame riding up IN fine
spirits, and, addressing himself to the General, in
quired why we did not 60 ahead The response was We
are waiting for you Judge" No said than done
The Judge put spurs horse, and Immediately plunged
into mud up to the saddle skirts. His melted charger
made several abortve attempts free HIMSELF and finally
got the ice. Not being sufficiently strong to bear up
horse and rider broke about midway from shore The
leaving him almost upright with barely head and neck
out, and little than head and shoulders OF the rider
to be seen The horse balanced for some time i'll this
awkward predicamen and for while was uncertain
whether he would go backward or forward AT length
he made desperate effort, and after several plunges,
ms way to the opposite s shore This was ne Soa
when he went in and better when he came out, he
again held little with his canteen After re-
the morning of the 2Sh December for Lower Sandus-
ky, which place reached Gao miies) the third day;
having walked and rode about wothrds of the distance
in mud and water, through what is called the Black
Swamp General Cass is excellent travelling COM
panion-always in good flow Of spirits, not however, ar
tfcal. have never known him taste ardent liquor In
crossing the swamp, either horse rider would occa
sionay get mred; then the fortunate would
lend hand to pull out The first day from Fort Meigs
finding the way, and of the mud and water. Night over
took us where there not sufficient dry ground 10 lie
down upon Each hunted out the best place he could
find The General placed his saddle blanket the roots
of beech and took up lodgings there for the night
after paraking meagre refreshment of bread and meat
We not able to kindle fires to prepare anything bet
ter, or to keep us warm in this ncement season.
On the evening of the 30h December, 1sl3 (35 years
December we reached Sandusky. our horses iaded
amshed We took lodgings for the night in house in
sight of the little fort, gaanty defended wmonhs
before BY Major Croghan On the LIST day of January,
1884, left Sandusky travelled that day about 80 miles,
and put up at an unpretendng log cabin about twelve
feet square. Our kind host made up good fire, and
spread before bear skins which (our feet to
the cheerful baze) all rested weary LIMBS graft
fed find comfortable place to sleep for the night.
After reaching Cleveland, we concluded to send our
mine to Dayton. AS the sleghing good, hired
man and team to convey to Erie. On the way there,
we were frequently informed that large body Of English
view to destroy the shipping at Erie, (Perrys fleet, and
the captured British vessels laid up at that harbor tor
the winter
pretended any danger from the British troops, who had
recrossed to Fort Erie after burning Buffalo >,
AT Erie engaged an old Yankee pedar. with
3-horse team to convey to point beyond Buffalo,
where could meet the stage bound for Albany The
Yankees 'ieam' was small lumber sleigh with two
seats the ssoad" comprised Gen Cass Capt Puthuff,
and myself, with our baggage and the driver The
teamser wet soul. and had to liquor at every gog
shop on the road-by scarce or Tar apart The
old mare the lead had line to govern her but the
old man urged her forward with spat the head, fol-
lowed up by the lash and went, Jehu like, at the
rate of from six to miles per hour. Having learn
ed the propenstes of her MASTER she would shy the
road and bolt up every grocery passed The oddi
ty of our driver, with his Yankee hac
and gee addressed to his unruy pet leadermade us,
may well be imagined the sport Of every tavern lounger,
and occasioned Infinite Jest for his worthy passengers
When we passed through Buffalo it in ruins, having
been burnt few days before by large detachment oil
the British army. Among the people there COM
pete panic They did not feel safe even Batavia al
though the volunteers and militia lined the road from
time the martial organized for the trial of Gen
Hull having been ordered there to attend the court
witnesses Martin Van Buren,, the present ''free so'
abolition candidate for the presidency special Judge ad
vocate assistant to Parker the army Judge advocate
When Gen Cass took the stand witness before the
court, MIR. Van Buren, commenced propounding hasty
questions to him, he would to witness in county
court He however, learned, from his prompt and
intelligent replies, and the Generals look of surprise
nary before him and after the first brief examna-
ton, Mr.. Van Burens queries better matured and
more respectfully put. occupied seat with the other
witnesses attending the court and often heard il asked,
while the General giving in his testimony, "Who is
Gen Cass where is he from 'what is his profession ?"
&c &c The reply was, that he from Ohio and one
of the most eminent lawyers OF that State
This same Gen Cass, then comparatively little known,
the regularly nominated candidate of the democratic
party for President of this great nation pains me to
read from newspapers Published in country attacks
the character of this sterling statesman and patriot
that know, from long acquaintance with him, to be
basey false II deeply to be regretted that party spirit