The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-07-11
sKETCH S
GENERAE LEWIS CAss.
THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

HHef OF
GENERAL LEWIS CAsS.
LEWIS CAss was bern at E&eteE, IN New
Hampshire, on the 9th day Of October, 1892
HIS father, Mr.. Jonathan Cass, was soldie
of the revolution, who enlisted as private
the day after. the battle Of Lexington. HI
served IN The army until the clbse, Of The
war, and was in all The important Battles il
the eastern and middle states, where he wa,
distinguished for his yalor and good conduct
and attained The rank Of captain. He wa
afterwards a MAJOR IN Way1e'sa sarmy, and dfsi
Al an advanced age after q life ef useful
ness and honor, al his residence, near Dres
den, in Muskingum county, Ohio. His son
Lewis Cass, the subject of this biography
emigrated at the age Of seventeen, 10 th'
then northwestern territory, and settled frs
at Marietta, in the county of Washington ~
He was tlus, as he was recently called by
the Convention Of Ohio, one Of The .Hearly
pioneers" of that immense western regi,n
which has already risen to such magnitude ii
our own days, and ID destined TO allaH one
Of so much greater heteafer The country
north of The Ohio then contained one terri.
tory and about twenty thousand people. q
Mr. Cass bore his full share in the tolls,
privations, and dangers to which the defence
of anew country, and its conversion from a
primitive forest to the happy abode Of civil.
zed man, are necessarily exposed. He read
law at Marietta, and was admitted to the baI
before The close Of the territorial government
He commenced the practice, and, as vas the
custom then, visited The courts in large dis
trict Of country, travelling on horseback, and
encoun,eIing many difficulties unknown &c
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 arrested the traitor
GUS designs of Burr, and introduced an ad:
dress to Mr.. jefferson, which was unanimously
adopted, expressing the attachment of the
people of Ohio to The constitution of the
United States, and their confidence in tha
illustrious man. In March, 1907, he was
appointed, by Mr.. Jefferson, marshal of Ohio
In the execution Of the dties 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 portentious aspect. Her multipli.
ed aggressions left us no recourse but war
and the statesmen Of the day prepared for il
with frmnss. AS one Of the preparatory ar.
rangements, it was determined to march a
considerable force to the northwestern from
tier, to be ready for offensive or defensive
measures, as circumstances might reidef i
necessary. The command was given te
Gen. Hull, and regiment of regular troops
which had fought with credit at Tppecanoe,
was assigned him. TO this were to be ad.
ded 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 regi-
ment: He proceeded immediately with his
regiment to Dayton, where the army was
concentrated, and whence it commenced its
march for Detroit. The country was track.
less forest, and much of it was low and wet
Great difficulties were interposed 10 the ad-
vance Of the troops by the streams and marsh.
es, and by the necessity of cutting road.---
But these were overcome with the usual
good will and perseeefance of The American
soldiers. The army reached Detroit on the
4th Of July, 1912. ts
Official information that war would be de-
claredy overlook them in the wilderness; But
the declaration itself was not received until
they reached Detroit. Col Cass was perhaps
more urgent for an invasion of Canada, than
any officer in Hull's army. He was decided
ly in favor Of making an early and decisiue
before the British should be pre-
pared for the invasion. We conceive it to be
no dsparagement TO any one to say that he
was the masier-spirit of that army until the
affair at the Canards; after which,, is knownj
he disproved Of every step taken by the com.
handing general. There can be no doubt
that HuI's army never would have entered
Canada but for the persuasions Of Col. Cass.
80 anxious was he TO push forward and do
to meet the Just Q, peclaiions of
he administration and the country, ,hat,he
the advanced detachment, and
Das the first man to land in arms in tie enc
ny's country.
On the 5th of July ne was ordered to at
acka Britshdetachment stationed at theiiv-
II Aux Canards, about fifteen miles from
Detroit, and FIVE miles from Fort Maiden,
hen the British head quarters. He crossed
bs river some distance above the enemy's
lost, and brisk.y attacked them; when, after
ome loss, they fled. Here was split the first
Hood during the last war. Colonel Cass
ook possession of the abandoned position, !
md Immediately despatched a messenger TO
Jon. Hull. informing him Of his success, and