The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-09
The late Major ID. h. Douglas


Died, at Geneva, on the Dist instant Major David
b. Douglass, professor of mathematics and natural
philosophy III Geneva College, and late major in
the United States army. His disease was paralysis
OF several months duration, under the effects OF
which he gradually sank his intellectual mowers
uncouded to the last, and the consultations Of Chris
tianlty, under whose benignant influences he had
always lived, sustaining and supporting him to the
tomb. In his death the country has lost a brave
and efficient soldier, an able mathematician and an
elegant and accomplished scholar In his social
circle has yawned chasm which cannot be filled
And thus has gone 10 his rest another of those
gallant spirits who so nobly bore the flag Of our
country victorious through the sanguinary conflicts
upon the Niagara frontier, in the last war with
England. Another star of that cluster which shone
so brilliantly on the pages Of military history
has disappeared. He was born i'm New Jersey II,
the year 1890, graduated at Yale College in lsl3,
received his commission as lieutenant Of engineers
Immediately after, and proceeded 20 West Point
where he organized company Of sappcrs and
miners, with which, in the following year, he
marched to the Niagara frontier. He arrived i'm
time TO join General Scott the day after the victory
OF Chippewa, but not too late 10 participate in the
desperate battle and glorious victory of "Lundys
Lane" IL would not be possible To give a connect
cd description OF that action, save In much detail
Dsclaiming any such intention we merely men
ton one or two OF Its incidents illustrative of the
character oil the conflict in which Major Douglass
was engaged.
The American army had crossed 10 the Canadian
shore, taken Fort Erie by assault and subsequently,
marched up to the plains of Chippewa, where the
battle oil that name fought. Here they were
encamped, the British forces between them at
Queenstown and other points toward Lake Ontario.
The enemy had thrown part of their troops across
the rlyer at lewiston with the intention of DESTROY
ing the stores and magazines on the American
SIDE, winch was now comparatively unprotected
10 divert them from this purpose, General Brown,
the commanding general, directed General Scott
To advance with his brigade on the 25th of July on
the Queenstown road, with instructions TO send
If he should require it, back for renforcements In
accordance with these instructions, General Scott
IN the afternoon Of that day, moved forward and
came in sight Of the enemy at "Lundy's Lane"
Tor Bndgewatcr, as II is sometimes called } slight
wood intervening Transmitting word 10 the rear
10 that effect lac dashed forward without hating
and soon with his brigade, composed of the 9th
18th, and 22d regiments, and Towson's battery Of
artillery, was holly engaged with the enemy, who
was posted IN much greater force upon comma nd
ing ground, his right covered by powerful bat
terry OF pieces of artillery, two OF which were
brass 24s.
The American brigade dcpoyed with the cool.
meas Of a review, fighting against great odds, but
its ranks swept icarfuy by the fire Of the battery
which opened upon them with terrible effect They
CALAMITY sustained themselves, though with great
loss, till the reintorcements composed of Riplcy's
brigade, Hindman's artillery, and Portcr's volun-
teers, came 20 their assistance, which, forming
fresh line, nterposed themselves between the shat
tered brigade and the enemy In the mean time IL
had become dark, the moon occasionally throwing
out her light from among the driving clouds. In
the temporary pause the British were alike hurry
ing up their rcinforcements, and soon the battle
was resumed with renewed vigor. The engineers
In the mean time, in their reconnaissance, had dis
covered that the enemy's artillery had moved To
commanding elevation, evidently the key Of the
position II was apparent that the battery must be
carried or the contest rclinquished. Lieut. Doug
lass was standing at the side Of Col Miller, who at
the head of his superb regiment was Gliding his
time" when General Brown rode up and requested
the colonel to carry the battery at the point Of the
bayonet ''lt shall be done, sir" said the gallant
soldier FORWARD, Tioenty, tpst'' and, supported
by the ODD, il proceeded on its deadly Grand
The dark mass moved up the hill, the lurid light
glittcring and Pickering upon its bayoncts NJ the
encmy's combined fire Of infantry and artillery
opened murderously upon it. They ninchod not,
they faltered not; rushing under the white smoke,
short and furious conflict ensucd the artillery
men were swept from their guns another furious
struggle, and the enemy were forced down the side
of the hill, the position carried-their own guns
playing upon them in their retreat Stung with
modification, the British concentrated their forces
TO regain 1.-THE Americans advancing their line,