Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-10-26
GEN; JOSEPH LANE, OF INDfAN1

- GEN; JOSEPH LANE, OF INDIANA
10 me Editors Of the Pennsuluan;nn
Allow me to submit few facts. conna,,.,
with the life and character of General JosasII
Lane, late Governor of Oregon. The Csneip1
being conspicuous, and, may saw, hero;a
character. during the recent STRUGGLE vr;'I
Mexico; and being at this time PROMINENT a
lore the country as distinguished victim -
the national guillotine, / think it right .nS
proper 10 submit the following for your pern.
sal, and, II you approve, to the attention of
your readers, through the columns of ths
Pennsylvania = '"e
General Lane was born in North Carol;n.
During his childhood, his parents emiprated r.
Kentucky, and on the frontiers of this Stato
he passed his youth. His parents were moor
and the early education of their son was lim'
tied but naturally of strong mind and good
memory, he never was at a loss to apply his
little stock of knowledge to the right course,
Too poor to study profession, he passed the
greater par: of his early manhood in the hardy
and laborious character of wood chopper and
boatman- At one time preparing his cord.
wood on the banks of the Ohio, for the use Of
the steamboats, navigating that beautiful stream;
and again he is seen with his shoulder to The
pole, or the cordel dashed across his muscular
current OF the Father of Waters. For his a.,
dustry and perseverance, and above all, h;s
honesty, he soon became we'll known TO the
navigators of the western waters. His wood
was always the best for steam and as tire
rough toatr4an expresses it,, honest Joe
Lane never failed 10 give them an honest cord
of wood" This kind of life soon made him
we'll acquainted with the many shoals and
sawyers so dangerous 10 navigation and it
was not long before honest Joe Lane became
one of the best and most experienced pilots
afoat. By this pushing industry, and strict
attention to business, he realized sufficient 10
purchase fine farm near Evansville, Indiana
During the agricultural season, he devoted
his entire attention to his farm, and the re.
mainder of the year was passed building fat
boats, and floating his produce 10 the New
Orleans market.
At last a new field was open for the trial OF
the honest boatman's ambition. ALWAYS
warm Democrat, and never losing an oppor.
tunity 10 inform himself on the principles that
govern the land, he was no. found, when
called, like some other General we might
mention, stupidity ignorant OF the great ques-
tons that divide the political parties OF our
nation. Honest Joe was elected 10 the Senate
OF his adopted State. Many years passed, and
still the voice of the poor boatman and hardy
wood-chopper was heard in the halls OF legis.
lation. No longer with the stubborn waters
of the Ohio, directing his bark with strong
and skillful arm, amid the wild waters OF the
Mississippi, but there, in the councils of his
State, he stands, front to front, with experien-
ced politicians of the day, exercising the
greatest influence and commanding the most
profound respect.
War was declared against Mexico; and the
first call for volunteers from the State of Indi.
ana, found honest Joe Lane enlisted as pri-
t vate but in this humble capacity he was new
{ er destined to serve. The gallant spirits with
t whom he was connected, knew their man.
Many had braved with him the difficulties
+ and dangers incident to boatman's life, and
. they knew him 10 be brave, cool, calculating,
f and energetic. He was elected Colonel of the
regiment. To command these gallant men
f seemed TO be the height of his ambition; but a
0 higher and more responsible post was destined
n for him. Indiana was entitled TO Brigader
:. and before her volunteers had reached The
, scene OF war, the vacancy was filled, and In.
!. diana had her General. The honest woot
q chopper, without any personal solicitation o.
knowledge of any interference on the part o
s his friends, received from the lamented Polk
: United States Army.
e Previous to the taking of Monterey, Cen
Lane was encamped on the Rio Grande, oppo
site Barrita-occupying the soughs and SAM
hills of Belknap. This position was very IN
healthy, and the career of many gallant spr
lis was cut short by death and disease. Gen
Lane visited Gen. Taylor at Matamoras, ant
Is earnestly requested that his command nigh
J. be removed about twelve miles above, TO tn
# high and healthy grounds, near the mouth 0
4 the Palo Alto. "No, sir" was the answer
8" the ground you occupy acds selected, and
e must be occupied" Not because il was ne
Re cessary for the good OF the service, but becaus
lr it was selected. Athousand American grave
(not of Indiana alone,) now occupy the san
hills of Belknap-and why? merely to graft
y fly the vanity of the drunken Colonel who Sc
is lected it. and from whom it takes its name
It Months pass, and Lane is Governor of Saldl
10, yet his command is not neglected. He in
structs it daily in the discharge of its duties
Buena Vista is at hand, and Taylor surroun
ded Lane opens the fight on the plain, an
IS is contending with desperation against fou
:, thousand OF the enemy. Bleeding from a Sc
we're wound-his right arm disabled and GOV
o cred with blood, he fights throughout tina
s. bloody action, like an unclaimed tiger-an
e when all is over-the victory gained-Gen
n Taylor's official report says" Slightly woun
l. ded, General Lane behaved CALAMITY befor
J. the enemy !'
e Puebla is surrounded by thousands OF III
swarthy minions of Mexico, and the brave lii
n tie band of Pennsylvania volunteers still hol
t out against the fearful odds. Succor is lon
4 coming, yet it is not arrived, and honest 10
Il Lane raises the siege, and drives Santa Ann
Is to the mountains. Atlsco and Wamanta
s follow in quick succession, and Santa Anna
fond hope of regaining the valley of Puebla
J. frustrated by the chivalric and industriou
" wood chopper of Indiana. Lane opens hi
e way to the city of Mexico, and reports him
self TO the greatest general of the age. SEQ
d sees the quality of the man at once, and doe
u not fail to use him.
e Santa Anna is at Orezava, resting in con
d scious security. A few miles distant part.
s. of American Rangers is stealthily approaching
re the town, under the cover of mig ht. They gai
d it and charge-the garrison is taken, but th
IT bird is flown. Santa Anna again escapes 'h
n activity and vigilance of Lane. Weeks pass
lie and again we see the gallant General with hi
r. heroic band crossing the mountain passes
ii whose depths, as he expressed it, made III
hart futter, in pursuit OF the great guerrilI
priest.
lie 1t is midnight, and the daring band Of Anne
h rican Rangers are leading their horses aIon
4 mountain nath where nought but the sure