Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-05-07
Death of Gen. solomon Van Rensselasr.

The death of this gentleman has already been an
nounced. We extract the following sketch of his
public from the Albany Register
! Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer, was born in the
town of Greenbush, and in the old Genet Mansion
at the foot of the HILL half mile back from the riv-
and about three miles from this city. His father
was Gen II. K. Van Rensselaer,, who fought with
great ardor and distinction in the revolutionary war
and was desperately wounded at the battle of Fort
Ann. Washington county, in this State
Gen. Van Rensselaer, inherited the military dispo-
sition and dauntess heroism of his father At the
early age of Is be was appointed Cornet in COM
pany of Dragons, mustered in Greenbush and join
ed the army under the command of Gen. Anthony
Wayne. Before he was 20, he promoted to the
command of troop. In the battle of Miami, Au-
gust, 1894 under Mad Anthony he received
terrible wound through the lungs which was sup
posed to be mortal but which his youth and vgor-
Gus constitution enabled him to surmount. How he
acquitted himself the dispatches of Gen. Wayne
bear ample and conclusive testimony. He suffered
greatly from the effects of this wound until 1907
when lie commissioned by Gen. Wilkinson, at
Philadelphia, to perform delicate and dangerous
military duty, which he promptly and satisfactorily
discharged He was also particularly noticed by
Gen Washington and raised by him to the command
of squadron of cavalry, after personal interview
with that great
After the disbanding of portions of the army
took place, General Van Rensselaer, was appoint
ed Adiutant General of this State, under Gov
ernor John Jay. This appointment he held du-
ring the respective administrations of his sue
cessors Governors George Clinton and Nor
gan Lewis, for nine years during Governor Tomp-
kns administration, and for nearly the whole pc
Rod of Governor De Witt Clintons, which latter
priod subsequent to the time he rendered such
important and brilliant service in his countrys be-
half in the capacity of aid to Gen. Stephen Van
Rensselaer,, (the late Patroon,) who was appointed
by Governor Tompkins to take command of the
forces raised for the defence of the northern and
western frontiers of this State, in 1872 The histo-
ry of that campaign is well known to every reader
familiar with the events of the g Last War; as il is
still called.
The brilliant but unfortunate battle of Queenstown
fought on the 18th of October The plan of it
simple and sodier-like and if it had been car
ried out in full, would have resulted in brilliant
and decisive victory. AS it was the force under
Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer,, contendng with great
ly superior numbers, sOrmed and carried the fort
The gallant Colonel fell riddled with wounds and
bleeding prousely, but cheered with the shouts Of
victory But the requirements negecting to cross
the river at the proper time, the enemy came up in
superior force, and the fort retaken, and Van
! Rensselaers troops obliged to retreat
| Ensign Morris was killed, and Capts. Malcolm
Armstrong and Wool wounded in this action
Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer, received ball in his
hip, which passed out at his spDe two in his tbioh
one of which lodged-and which he carried to the
day of his death-two in his leg, and sixth contus
ed his heel With all these he kept his feet until
the enemy fled towards the town, and Capt Wool
by his orders assembled the mountain and carried the
battery. During this time he had concealed his
wounds under great borrowed from Major
Lush and when the party filed off before him. un-
able any Ion ger stand he fell to the ground about
daylight among the dying and the dead, and was
only prevented from ainting by crust of bread and
a cup of water. furnished by one of the former
While III this situation the shouts of victory reached
him from the hill, and remunerated him for all his
Sufferinps