Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-07
SKETCH OF
The Life and Public Services Of
GEN. LEWIS CASS.

GEN. LEWIS CASS.
LEWIS CAss was born at Exeter, in
New Hampshire, on the 9th day of Octo-
Der, 1888. 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 distin-
guished for his valor 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, in Muskingum county,
Ohio. His son, Lewis Cass, the subject
of this biography, emigrated, at the age Of
seventeen, to the then Northern Terrific
nv, and settled first at 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
already risen to such magnitude in our
own days, and is destined to attain one so
much greater hereafter. The country
north of the Ohio then contained one Ter
ritory and about twenty thousand people.
Mr.. Cass bore his full share in the tolls,
privations, and dangers to which the de-
fence 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 admit
ted to the bar before the close of the Ter
ritorial Government. He commenced the
practice, and, as was the custom then, Wis
tied the courts in large district of coun-
try, travelling on horse back, and encoun-
tering many difficulties unknown to the
members Of the bar at the present day.
In 1906, he was elected member of
the Legislature of Ohio, and during the
session he took his part in the business of
the day. He drafted the law which ar
rested the traitorious designs of Burr, and
introduced an address to Mr.. Jefferson,
which was unanimously adopted, express
ing the attachment of the people Of Ohio
to the Constitution of the United States,
and their confidence in that illustrious
man. In March, 1907, he was appointed,
by Mr.. Jefferson, marshal of Ohio. In
The execution Of the duties of that office.
in the business of his profession, and in
the occupation of farm in Muskingum
county, where he resided, he passed his
time until 1912. Then our difficulties
with England assumed a portentous as pect.
Her multiplied aggressions left us no re-
course but war; and the statesmen of the
day prepared for it with firmness. As
one Of the preparatory arrangements, it
was determined to march a considerable
force to the northwestern frontier, to be
ready for offensive or defensive measures,
as circumstances might render necessary.
The command was given to General Hull;
and regiment Of regular troops, which
had fought with credit at Tippecanoe, was
assigned to him. To this were added three
regiments of Ohio volunteers. As soon
as this demand upon their patriotism was
known, the citizens of that State hasten
ed to the call of their country, and the force
was raised without delay or difficulty
Mr.. Cass was among the volunteers, and
was elected to the command of the third
regiment. He proceeded Immediately
with his regiment to Dayton, where the
army was concentrated, and whence it
commenced it march to Detroit. The coun-
try 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 ne
cessity 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, 1912.
Official information that war would be
declared, overlook them in the wilderness;
but the declaration itself was not received
until they reached Detroit. Colonel Cass
was perhaps more urgent for an invasion
Of Canada than any other officer in Hull's
army. He was decidedly in favor Of
making an emily and decisive movement, be-
fore the British should be prepared for the
invasion. We conceive it to be no dis
paragment to any one to say that he was
the master-spirit of that army until the
affair at the Canards; after which, it is
known, he disapproved of every step taken
by the commanding general. There can
now be no doubt that Hull's army never
would have entered Canada, but for the
persuasions of Colonel Cass. So anxious
was he to push forward and do something
to meet the just expectations Of the Ad-
ministration and the country, that he COM
manded the advanced detachment, and wns
the first man to land in arms IN the eaemy's
country.
On the 18th of July he was ordered to
attack a British detachment stationed at the
river Aux Canards, about fifteen miles
from Detroit, and five miles from Fort
Maiden, then the British headquarters
He crossed the river some distance above
the enemy's post, and briskly attacked
them; when, after some loss, they fled
Here was split the first blood during the
last war. Colonel Cass took possession
of the abandoned position, and Immediate
ly despatched messenger togeneral Hull,
him of his success, and advising