Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-24
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MAJOR GEN. WORTH.

HIS MILITARY CHARACTER AND SERVICES.
General William J. Worth is said to be the
handsomest and most soldierly looking officer
in the army. His height is over six feet, and
his person commanding. On horseback he
presents a figure of unequalled grace. His
nature is somewhat impetuous, like many
brave and frank men. He is exceedingly pop
ular among his soldiers. AS one of the heroes
of Monterey, as the victor at Moline del Rey,
his name will go down TO posterity second
only to that of Scott and Taylor!
Worth, like many otheEable men in the ar
my, has risen from the ranks. He began life
as clerk in mercantile house in Albany,
| New-York the latter being his native com
monwealth. On the breaking out of the war
of 1912, however. fired with that patriotic ar
dor which is leading trait in his character,
he enlisted as a common soldier. Another
clerk was his companion. Fortunately for
Worth, his friend soon committed some indis-
cretion, for which ne was placed under arrest
In this emergency he applied TO Worth, who
undertook to write petition for him to the
Colonel. This officer happened to be Scott,
who, struck with the elegant style of the me-
mortal, enquired the name of the writer, and
sending for him, made him his private Secreta-
ry He procured for Worth the commission
of Lieutenant in the 25d regiment Of infan-
try From that hour up TO their unhappy
difference in Mexico, the closest intimacy ex-
listed between Worth and Scott.
In the battle of Chippewa, Worth proved
the correctness OF SCOTS estimate of character,
consequently rewarded with the rank of Cap
tain. In the battle of Lundys Lane, Worth,
after several hours Of severe fighting, received
a dangerous wound. In consideration of this
he was raised to the rank of Major. After
the peace, he was, for considerable period,
Superintendent of the West Point Military
Academy, post which is always guarantee
of high ability on the part of the occupant
In 1924 he was appointed Lieut. Colonel !;
in 1892 Major of ordnance and in 1898,
Colonel of the 9Th reg Mt of infantry, which
is the rank he still holds in the line. Suisse
quently he was raised successfully 10 the bre-
ret rank of Brigadier and afterwards of Ma
ior General, the first for his gallantry in the
Florida war, the last for his brilliant conduct
at Monterey.
When Taylor, Twiggs, and Worth met al
Corpus Christi, before the Mexican war broke
out, difficulty arose as TO who should COM
mand in case of Taylors absence. Twiggs
claimed it, though only a colonel, because all
older colonel than Worth The latter CLAIM
ed ii also, because breveted Brigadier. But
. Twiggs asserted that brevet conferred no
!, right to outrank full commission. Inc mat
ter was referred to Taylor, who adopted the
rule laid down by Jackson, decided against
Worth. On this Worth, following prece-
, dent set by Scott, resigned his commission and
; hurried to Washington During his absence
tba battIes of PaIo Alto and Resaca de la Pal
ma we're fought; on hearing the intelligence
of which, Worth recalled his resignation and
re-ioined the army. Every one knows how
gailantly he fought at Monterey! He was
; rewarded for that bloody day with the brevet
rank of Major General.
| When it was determined 10 beziege vera
Cruz, Worth, with most of the other generals,
t was detached from TayIor's army, and placed