The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-23
NO. 5465.
Major General Worth.

hounced the decease OF MAJOR General Worth, OF
the United States army, one Of the bravest and
noblest soldiers that ever fought in his countrys
service. The sad intelligence cast a gloom over
the entire city. AS mark of respect, the Ameri-
can flag was suspended at half mast throughout
the day, from numerous hotels and other public
buildings.
We take the following sketch of the life, cha
racter, and services Of General Worth, from the
Rough aud Ready Annmaf:-
William J. Worth was born in the State of New
York. and, when boy, was engaged in a store in Alba
ny: When quite young, the disputes between France
with of the great pcwers when these fears
we're realized Worth was one of the first to apply for
commission in the army His request was granted,
and he received the appointment OF LIST lieutenant in
the 23d infantry, on the 18th March, 1873
In the battle Of Chippewa Plains, Worth acted aid
20 General Scott and when the Of that officers
duties are remembered it will be acknowledged that
this was a dangerous and responsible station. Yet he
conduct and was noticed by General Brown in comp-
nsntary terms. He further rewarded by com
mission as captain, dated August ~, 1914.
In the sapgunary battle Of Niagara, Worth had a
further opportunity of proving his military talents
action, by the thanks of his superior officers and the
rank Of major. Although he performed good service
tnns sns OF the war yet he had no oppor
nored by appointment to superntcnd West Point
Academy, in which responsible station no the es-
TEEN and confidence of all concerned He was br.yet-
Ted lieutenant colonel the 18th Of July 1924 APP
pointed major OF ordnance in 1892 and colonel of tho
9th infantry regiment, July 7th, 1888
In Florida, Colonel Worth enabled to act rather
more conspicuous part than of the in that
unfortunate war The precision that characterizes all
his of the utmost service during the
campaigns Of 1S4l and AZ when he compelled several
parties Of the Indians to He was breyetted
hrigadier general the LIST of March, 1872 On the
18TH Of April he fought the battle Palaklakaha in
which large body Semnoes were entirely aefeated
ana several VI their cheftans subsequently obliged
surrender.
When General Taylor marched from Corpus Christi
Wnrth thaa
command and led the main army to the Rio Grande
while the commander moved towards Point Isabel
Worth planted the flag Of his country on the Rio
Grande with his hand Soon after Colonel Tvigg,
arrived, and claimed the command Of Worth's di-
vision account Of priority Of commission His claim
being substant by the proper documents Taylor
was obliged to confirm it, and Worth considering him
self sggrieved left The army reached Washington and
rendered his resignation. In doing so, however, he
displayed all the deicacy and reluctance which such
step calculated to inspire and declared his hope
that should actual hosttles take place he might DO
permitted to resume the command aud expressed his
entire appreciation OF the conduct Of the
general While at Washington the aspect at the seat
Of changed News arrived OF the danger of Taylor
~ Fort Brown, and soon after of the march Point
Isabel and the battles Of the Sth and 9th of May
Worth Immediately applied for his commission; it was
granted and he hurried to Texas He received
BY General Taylor with open arms and conducted the
negotiations attending the capt. ulaton of Matamora
But another aud nobler Geld offered to him
at Monterey General flor, with the generosity OF
trse soldier intyusted him with the attack upon the
Bishops palaco an almost impregnabe fortress,
road the interior This was considered by the whole
army as an almost desperate undertaking, and
who saw the division Of the general march from the
camp toward the palace, expected to half Of
them return. The peculiar situation Of Worth "a
vored this belief as it was supposed that, in order
20 atone for his lost and stop the voice
Of salumny. he would rush headlong into DANGER
and recover his reputation at every hazard Worth
and allowed no personal feeling to hinder it's ex
esution Where the Americans expected the heaviest
jured During the whole time, the troops laborcd in
range OF the enemy's guns crossing ravines climbing
TScks and lodges wading through water and carrying
time on horseback riding from post to post and using
every effort to cheer his in their aborous duties
His conduct is mentioned by the commander in terms
Of the warmest appreciation.
Worth one Of the commissioners at the negotia-
tons for the capituaton, and performed efficient
vice during the evacuation of the city He subse-
quently detached to Saltllo where he remained until
january ut which time he marched for the Gulf coast
tojoin Cen Scott
At Vera Cruz General Worth was the first Office
that formed his troops in line after their landing His
services in the siege valuable; and he the
head Of the American depuaton to arrange the
ofespitulation When the Mexcans had left the city,
Worth was appointed governor, and occupied 1t with
his brigade His prompt and exact measures soon re-
suscitated the trade aud of the city,
pressed the disorders which had long disgrxced it,
On the day that the battle of Sierra tordo was
fought, Worth took unressted possession of the town
and fortress OF Perote In which found immense
stores Of ammunition cannon. mortars and small arms
This is one of the strongest castles in Mexico Here
remained for some time principally engaged in per.
fectng the discipline OF his army The movements Of
Santa Anna called him from his retirement, and after
the battle Of Sierra Gordo he very active In cutting
OIL supplies from the Mexican camp Early in May, he
advanced towards Pueba, and the l4th he was met
by Santa Anna, with detachment Of about three
thousand men, most of them cavalry skrmish en-
sued, several Mexcans were unhorsed and the whole
force returned to the city. The morning, before
daylight Santa Anna left for the interior and at ten
o'clock, the Americans obtained quiet possession The
city Of Pueba is well built ornanented with numerous
public buildings and contains eighty thousand inha-
bitants.
This has proved the last military achievement Of
General Worth The same naction which pauciry
OF troops imposes on all the other officers Of the Next
can war is shared by him. and until this is obviated
We have little reason to suppose that will have oc-
casion to crown him with fresh laurcls
General Worth possesses tall, commanding figure
fu front and Is said to be the best horseman and
handsomest man in the army In pline he is very
rigid but Is universal favorite with the soldiers by
whom his appearance Is always cheered. His great
attachment to Taylor has been the subject Of
frequent remark; and when the commander called
to part with many Of his officers prior the battle
OF Buena Vista. with no he 10th to part
than with Worth. The General never appears with
his troops except horseback he perfectly
conscious Of his skill In riding On such occasions he
forms most singular contra.t to his brother oicer
who is Of the awkward equestrians in Mexico
Worth possesses hue talents other than military.
He those who are born to distinguish
themselves in any occupation into which fortune may
throw them. He is firm friend, an agreeable com
panion and sort Of chivslric ranknes and
kindness OF heart which, notwithstanding his strict
discipline, endear him to the whole army.
GENERAL WORTH AT MONTERREY.
Few who saw General Worth march toward the Bish-
ops Palace on the morning of the 10Th expected
him return lie had missed Palo Alto and Resa.
ca Palma and his feelings were known to be sad and
chafed at the late unfortunate differences between
himself and government II was well understood that
General II yor had given him the responsibility of a
separate command mainly out Of deicacy his mis-
fortunes and all supposed that he would establish his
reputation rs general, by pushing forward, through
uproar confusion and death. to the cannon's mouth
AS the brave fellows hled by their comrades, many
plying glance cast upon them, aud many brave
heart ached it sighed forth involuntary farewell
The general was silent. He appreciated the magnani-
nifty Of his brother veteran aud burned TO that
It was not misplaced; but no doubt thoughts were
then crowding upon his mind which per-
mitted to pass the lips and he knaw aud felt that
something deater than life resting upon the posi-
bilty Of capturing seemingly impregnabe fortress.
The division marched TO hiil aud passed the night
almost Within range Of the palace guns Long before
daylight the rolling Of drums and the loud shouting Of
tbe sentnels, reused the soldiers to arms and they
recommended their tolsome march After wind
ing in silence up the steep ascent, they arrived ut
ALL Ii...Iu lhro,,o A ILL.,.