Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-06-14
SKETCH
~erTHE LIFE AND f'UBfdG SERVICES
lAss.

Is 0lAss.
kEw1s CAss was born at Extes, in New
Hnmpshire, on the 9th day Of October,
1852. His father, Major Jonathan Cass,
was soldier of the revolution, who enlist
Cd as q private the day after the battle Of
Lexington. He served in. the army until
the close Of the war, and was in all tffs
Imperial battles in the eastern and middle
States, where he was distinguished for his
valor aad good conducts and attained the
rank of captain. He was afterwards ma.
jor in Wayne's army, and died at an ad-
tanced age, aGer q, life of usefulness and
honor, at his residence. neat Dresden. in
Muskingum county, Ohio. His son, Lew
isl Cass, the subject Of this biography, ,enni-
gated at the age Of 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 s'earfy
pioneers" Of that immense western region,
which has already arisen TO such magni--
tude in Our own days, and is destined 70 ats
tain one hereafter. The country north Of
the Ohio then contained one Territory and
about twenty thousand people.
Mr.. Cass bore his full share in the tolls,
Ifiyasions, and dangers to which the de-
fence Of Of new country, and its CONVEX
sion from primitive forest to the happy
hboae of civilized man, are necessarily exs
posed. He read law at Marietta, and was
admitted 10 The bur before the close Of the
territorial government. He commenced
the practice, ard, az wes the custom then,
visited the courts id d large district of coun-
try, travelling OH horseback, and encoun-
tering many difficulties unknown to the
members ofths bar at the present day.
In 1905, he was elected member ofthe
legislature Of Ohios and during the session
hs took his part In the business of the day.
He draughted the law which arrested the
tfaiiorous designs Of Burr, ana introduced
an address 10 Mr.: Jefferson, which was u
unanimously adopted; expressing thu attach
ment of the people of Ohio teths constltu-
lfioTi ofshe United States; and their conf.
dence III that illustrious man N Ih 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 i.
profession, and in the occupation of a farm,
ia Muskingum county, where he resided,
he passed his time until 1912. Then. our
difficulties with England assumed porten-
iious aspect. Hermuliiplied aggressions left
susino recourse bat wars and the statesmen
ofsthe day prepared for ii with 6rmness.
As ona of the preparatory arrangements, it
was determined TO march a. considerable
fofceto the northwestern frontier, to be
fsady. for offensive or defensive measures,
as circumstances might render il necessary.
The command was given to general Hull;
and regiment ofregular troops, which had
fought with credit at Tippscanoes was as
signed him. To this were to be added
three regiments of Ohio volunteers. As
soon as this demand was made upon their
paarioiism was known, the citizeus of that
State hastened to the call Of their country,
and the force was raised without delay or
difiichlty.h Mr.. Cass was among the vol
unteefs, and was elected 10 the command of
ibe third regiment He proceeded imme-
diafely with his regiment TO Dayton, where
The army was concentrated. and whence it
commenced its march for Detroit. The
.eoantry was, q 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 roao..E But these were
overcome with the usual good will and per-
severance ofthe American soldiers. The
army reached Detroit on the 4th of July,
16l2s - sssts gssszy*@ ) ss
q Official information that war would be
declared overlook them In the wilderness;
but the declaration itself was not received
until they reached Detroit. Col. Cass
was perhaps more urgent fer an inyasiop
ofCanada than, any officer in Hulls army.
Hewas decidedly in favor Of making an
eursg Gad decssire movement, before the
British should be prepared for the invasion.
Wesconceiye tito be no disparagement to
any one to say that be was the master.spir-.
il Of that army until the affair at the ca
nagds; afisr which. it's known, he disap-;
proved ofeyery step taken by the com
manding general. There can now be no
doubt that Hulpa army never would have
entered Canada but for the persuasions of
Col Cusss So anxious was he to push for
ward and de something to meet tbe just
expecsations of the administration and the
country, that be, eommandedthe advanced
detashmeps and .apas TIN. first man to land
in .aEnss in the e,senay's country. st
On the 9th of July he was ordered TO at.
tack d Britishdetachment stationed at the
river Aux Canards, about fifteen miles
from Datrnit, and fxs miles from fort Nal.
den then the British headquarters. He
crossed the river some distances above the
,ha ensmy's post, and briskly attacked
them; when, after some loss, they fed