The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-28
sketch
THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES
GEN. LIE WIS CAss.


LEWIS CAss was born at Exeter, in New Hampshire
on The 9th day OF October, 1852. His father Major Jon
ahan Cass, 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
all the important battles In the eastern and middle States,
where he distinguished for his valor and good con
Duct and attained the rank OF captain He was after
wards major In Wayne's army, and died at an adj
vanced age, alter life OF useful and honor al his
residence. near Dresden, in Muskingum county, Ohio
His son, Lewis Cass, the subject OF this biography, emil
grated at the seventeen TO the then northwestern
territory, 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 "eay pioneers
OF that immense region, which has already risen
to such magnitude IN days. and is destined to
attain much greater hereafter. The country north
OF the Ohio then contained one Territory and about TWEEN
ty thousand people
Mr. Cass bore his full share in the tolls privations,
and dangers which the defence of country, and
It's conversion from primitive forest to the happy abodes
of civilized man. necessarily exposed He read law
al Marietta, and admitted to the bar before The close
OF the territorial government lie commenced the prac-
tce, and, the custom then, visited the courts IN
large district of country, travelling horseback, and
encounterng many difficulties unknown TO the members
OF the bar at the present day.
In 1906, he elected member OF the Legislature OF
Ohio, and during the session he took his part in the bust
of the day He daughted the law which arrested the
raltorous designs OF Burr and introduced address to
Mr. Jefferson which unanimously adopted, express
ing the attachment OF the people OF Ohio to the constu
ton of the United States and their confidence in that il
lustrous 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 arm IN Musklngum county, where
he resided, he passed his time until 1872 Then diff
hcuties with England assumed potentous aspect Her
multiplied aggressions left but war; and
the statesmen of the day prepared for it with fmness
As of the preparatory arrangements, it detein
ed to march considerable force the northwestern from
ter to be ready for offensive defensive measures,
circumstances might render 1t necessary The command
was given to General HULL and regiment OF regular
troops which had fought with credit Tppecanoe,
assigned TO him To this 10 be added three regi
ments OF Ohio volunteers As soon this demand up
their patriotism known, the citizens of that State
FASTENED to the call OF Their country and the force
raised without delay difficulty Mr. Cass among
the volunteers and was elected to the command of the
third regiment He proceeded Immediately with his regi
ment to Dayton, where the army concentrated and
whence ii commenced march for Detroit The country
trackless forest and much of it was low and wet
Great difficulties interposed to the advance of the
troops by the streams and Marshes and by the necessity
of cutting road. But these overcome with the
usual good will and perseverance of the American sol
diers. The army reached Detroit the 4th of July,
I1Sl2
Official information that would be declared, over
took them the wilderness; but the declaration itself
not received until they reached Detroit Col. Cass
was perhaps urgent for invasion OF Canada than
any officer in Hull army. He decidedly in favor of
max ing early and decisive movement before the Brit
sh should be prepared for the invasion We conceive
to be dsparagement to any to say that he the
master spirit of that army until the affair at the Canards;
after which, known he dsapproved of every step
taken by the commanding general There be no
doubt that Hus army never would have entered Canada
push forward and do something to meet the just expec
ations of the administration and the country, that he
commanded the advanced detachment, and the first
man TO land an arms in The enenys country
On the 18th OF July he ordered to attack British
detachment stationed at the river Aux Canards, about
fifteen miles from Detroit, and five miles from Fort Nal
den then the British headquarters He crossed the river
some distance above the enemys post ard brskly
attacked them; when, after loss, they fled. Here
split the first blood during the last Colonel
Cass took possession OF the abandoned position, and
Immediately despatched messenger TO General Hull,
informing him of his success, and advising him to
march Immediately to Fort Maden-the road to which
was opened Had this been done, must have
crowned the operation, and the war, in that quarter,
would have been over He was, however, sadly dsap
return and join the army. From this moment bad coun-
sells prevailed, the army lost all confidence in Hull and
he proceeded in his own course, regardless OF the advice
remonstrance OF his officers About three weeks after
the affair at the Canards, the whole army ordered
across the river to Detro in which time, had Colonel
Cass's advice been taken, Maiden might have been
duced and secure lodgment made in Upper Canada.
The order OF Hull to return was not less unexpected to
the army than the dsgraceful surrender at Detroit
without shot being fired, whelming to the country
On entering Canada General Hull distributed proca-
nation among the inhabitants, which, for the eoquence
and high spirit that II contained cannot be surpassed; but
it sadly in contrast with the fulment of its profess
sions Unfortunately for the country the author of the
proclamation, Colonel Cass was not the commander of
the army Had he been So the country would have been
promise to the fulhment AS it was, he used every
erion the commanding general that spirit of
patriotism which breathes every line OF the admirable
paper, but In vain. spirit OF nfatuaton something
worse, seized upon Hull and led him on from one false
step another until the GROWING act the surrender OF
Detroit, without firing gun, completed his own rum,
and brought disgrace upon the of his country It's
well known to the country that both Colonel Cass and
Colonel Macarthur detached from Detroit previous
to the surrender, ostensiby for provisions, but in fact
because they unwelcome councillors at headquar
tiers Stung with modification on hearing OF the
der, Colonel Cass when ordered to deliver up his sword
Indignantly shvered it in pieces, and threw it to the
r n
Alter the surrender of Detroit Colonel Cass repaired
TO Washington to report to the government the whole
circumstances attending the expedition. He was ex-
changed during the winter and IN the spring was APP
pointed brgader general Shortly after this he joined
General Harrison at Seneca, where the army collect
ing, destined the territory of Michigan, and to
take possession of the western district of Upper Canada
The preparatory arrangements beng completed, and the
lake being open the transportation OF troops by the
victory OF Perry, General Harrison commenced his
in September, 1913, and embarked his troops at the
mouth of Portage river, whence they moved and were
concentrated Putin bay From here they sailed to the
Western Sister, small island of the coast of Canada
where, being all collected the final arrangements were
made The debarcaon was superintendent and directed
by General Cass of the army, and Captain Elliott, OF the
navy and the troops landed perfect ORDER expecting to
meet formidable resistance But the enemy had fed
after destroying the public buildings at Amhersburg and
Detroit, and were in full retreat Tor Lake Ontario
The American army Immediately commenced the pur
suit and after capturing two small deachments, which
offered resistance favorable POSITIONS overlook
the enemy at the Moravian towns the river Thames
about eighty miles from Detroit. The British general
(Proctor) proved himself unequal to his command Hav
ing days the start, If he designed to escape, he
should have pushed his retreat rapidly possible