The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-07-20
The Murat Of the American
ARMY,


Worth has boon compared, and not un-
justly, TO MuTat. His handsome person and
his dashng courage fercibly recalled to
mind, during the war with Mexico, the Ro.
land of Napoeon's army. Few American
officers participated in as many battles az
Worth; none, perhaps, in snch brilliant
and numerous victories. Prominently dis
tinanish-d in tie var Of lSl2-then In that
OF F!orida-then under Taylor at Monte
rey-end finally in the campaign against
the city OF Mexico, he ran a career alike
fortunate and b,illan, and one in which rlc-
~ AMI promotion followed hand in hand
But alas! just when the war is over, sni
the time has come Tor him to repose on his
laurel', he is cut OFT by All iCnobe disease,
in n paltry frontier tswn. Such Is human
life. Snrh il the end Of earthly glory.
Worth Claims descent from one Of tho
earliest Puritan settlers. He was born in
1874, received plain but substantial edu.
cation, and began life as q traders clerk IN
Hudson, n. Y. When the war Of 1912
broke out he entered the army asa private,
bit did not remain long IN the ranks. A
fellow clerk, who had enlisted with him.
having been placed under arrest Tor some
indisrre,Ioa, applied to Worth for advice,
who undertook to write a petition Tor the de-
linqnen'. TO the Colonel Of the regiment
This officer happened to be Scott. Struck
ny the style and penn.anship Of the petition.
he inquired the name of the writer, and in
the interview that followed was so pleased
With Worh's manners, and soldierly ard
handsome person, that he appointed him his
private secretary. Scott did not stop here.
lie procured for Worth a commission a.
lieutenant in the twenty third regiment;
and the merits Of the Young subaltern lain
ed to some good fortune, did the rest for his
advancement. Worth rose rapidly, indeed,
during the war of 1912, at Chippewa. be-
distinguished himself so highly that he was
trevetted a captain; at Luudv's Lane he
won the rank Of major, and If peace had
not been declared Immediately afterwards,
( re would doubtless. have advanced still far
Their.
Afterthe peace, Worth was for some time
superintendent Of the West Point Military
1 AsAdcmy. In 1871, after the retirement n
~3ee.sal Armistead. Worth succeeded 10 the
Meffommsnd in Florida. where he had
been serving. as second in rank, about a
year. Ambitious Of distinction, he sought
every opportunity 10 bring the Indians IN
action, and though often disappointed, final.
~ succeeded. In reeompsnce for his gal.
lsntry on this occasion, Worth was brevet-
ed brigndier general. When the war with
Mexico became probable, he was detached
to Corpus Christi. to Join TAYLOR. and re-
manned with the General until Just before
the battles Of Palo Alto and Raspca de Ia
Palma. The cause Of his leaving camp.
as is well known, was a difference between
/ him and Twiggs. growing out Of his brevet
rank. He hsstended to Washington inten-
ding to resign; bnt the war altered his de-
cision, and canceIling his resignation he
hurried back 10 the army.
Taylor sympathisine with the feelings Of
worth, who could not foi give himself for
having missed the battles of the 9th and 9th
OF Nav. assigned to him. at Monterey. the
task OF carrying the heights on the Salti''s
road, with one division Of the army. while
with the other. the commsnder-in.r hief nd
Vancrd against The town from the Serralvo
road. This WAS. in fact. giving Worth an
indie prnGPnt con msnd-for. after once sen.
SratinC. il was fnuhd impossible IN kerpmp
me communic alton between the two divis-
ions OF the army.
worth carried IN 'ur<pssion the various
forts commanding the Saltil'o road--storrr-
ed the Bishops palace which overlook ed
the iown--abd pushing forward through the
suburbs. entered the streets, throwing shot
and shells, AMI carrying terror and dismay
before him. He was within short distance
of the great square, when the town capitu-
lated 10 TAYLOR, renetrating the plaza from
the ether side. For his exploits at Monte
rev, Worth was breveted major general.
His next great explicit was at Molina del
Rev. where he carried the almost impreg-
nable works Of the enemy, after a tremen-
douS struggle, 10 which more lives were lost
IN proportion to the number engaged, than
in any action Of the war.
Worth also fought ith distinction al Ger
r" Gordo, Churubusco, and At the stormihg
OF the gates Of Mexico. lie was, perhaps.
after Taylor and Scott. the most Efficient
certainly the most popular fthe generals
in the war with Meveo. -
The character Of Worth NAV be az etched
in few words. He was brave ~ a fault,
sufficiently good as tactician, chvalron,,
nj popular manners, ofimposing presence.
naughty, At timvs ovetbearing, impeiuous,
warm. hearted. a fast friend In many res.
poets he resembled Decatur. In battle. es-
pecial'v where daring courage was required
he had no superior. His soldiers still tell
with enthusiasm, that at Monterey he die.
mounted from his horse, placed his plumed
hat on the point of his sword. and waving IL
high overhead. led the III IN storm the Bi,h.
or's Castle. Such tales recall the Paladinn
OF old romance.-Phil. Bulletin.