Washington sentinel., 1854-02-25
Wasbingtarr Sentinel,
EDITED BY
WIN. M. 0VERT0N. CHI. MAURICE SMITH,
AND BEVERLEY TUCKER.
f E BRUARY rs, l85 4.
DEATH OF GEN. ROBT. ARMSTRONG

i ~ ID IL u IA III = ~, 4 CC II.
DEATH OF GEN. ROBT. ARMSTRONG.
tits with great pain thatwe have to announce
the death of General Robert Armstrong, who
died at his residence in this city in the Gath
year of his age, on Thursday, the 23d instant,
atsseven o'clock, of congestion Of the brain.
His health had not been good for some months
past, and it was his intention to have made, in
short time, visit to Tennessee, with view
to its restoration, by separating himself from the
cares and anxieties attending his business in
Washington, and by enjoying the society of his
old friends at home. But, before he could carry
that intention into effect he was summoned
hence forever, leaving a devoted family to be-
wall the loss of a kind and gentle parent, and
a wide circle of friends to mourn the loss Of a
friend who was true, firm, and reliable.
General Armstrong was born at Abingdon,
in the county of Washington, Virginia. At an
early age he removed with his parents to the
neighborhood of Knoxville, Tennessee, and af-
terwards revisited Abingdon, where he spent
some time at school. When he returned to
Tennessee, and before he was twenty years of
age, he joined General Jackson, and commands
ed, as Lieutenant, a company Of Tennessee vol
unteer artillery during the Creek war In this
service, he distinguished himself for GOODNESS
and courage especially at the battle of Enoto.
chopko creek, on the Oath of January, 1914,
where his company, animated by his example,
arrested sudden and formidable attack of the
Indians; and, according to the testimony Of
General jackson himself, saved the army,
which had been thrown into confusion. At
this battle, he received rifeball in his side,
and fell by the gun he commanded. He was
reported mortally wounded. The ball could
not be extracted, and the wound it inflicted
was felt at times, most severely, even to the end
Of his life.
The qualities which General Armstrong ex-
hibited during the Creek war won for him the
warm and lasting friendship of General Jack
son. He became member of the military
family of General Jackson, and served as his
aid at the memorable battle of New Orleans,
on the 9th of January, 1915. After the con-
clusion of peace, he retired to private life until
1886, when he was made brigadier general of
the mounted volunteers Of Tennessee, raised
for the Seminole war; and commanded in the
battle of Wahoo swamp, which was a severe
conflict, lasting during several days, and ended
in the route of the Indians. This campaign
closed his military career.
For many years General Armstrong was post
master at Nashville, enjoying the confidence
and friendship of General jackson, who be-
queathed him his sword in testimony Of that
confidence and friendship. When Mr.. Polk
came into power, he received the appointment
of consul to Liverpool, and was in the discharge
of the duties Of that Office when the Mexican
war broke out. He returned Immediately to
the United States with the intention, as we
have been informed, Of taking part in that con-
test; but, from some cause or other, he resumed
his post at Liverpool.
In 1851, General Armstrong, with Major
A. j. Donelson, of Tennessee, purchased the
Washington Union from Thomas Ritchie, esq,
whose name is familiar in every portion Of the
Union, as well for the many virtues which
adorn his private life as for the eminent SER
vices he has rendered his country by uphold
ing with nfexible frmness the true principles
Of the Constitution. Not very long afterwards,
General Armstrong purchased Major Donel-
sons interest in the Union, and from that time
until his death he was the sole proprietor of
that journal.
We knew General Armstrong well. He was
kind, brave man; firm, devoted friend; and
an earnest and faithful patriot. He passed
through rough school; he saw many trials
and encountered many perils; yet he rarely al
luded to these things even in private conversa-
ton, because modesty was as conspicuous in
his character as frmness and courage. He
died with the warm regards of those who knew
him best, after having done and suffered much
in the service of his country, as the following
proceedings, which we have just received from
those in his employment, will testify. Peace
to the ashes Of the good, kind, brave old man,
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO GENERAL ARM.
sTRoNG.-The numerous body of gentlemen
employed in the Union establishment, deeming
it proper that they should give some expression
of their feelings upon the occasion Of the death
of their much-respected head General Robert
Armstrong, assembled at the Office for that
purpose; when, after statement of the object
Of the meeting by Mr.. E. B. Robinson, accom-
panied by some appropriate remarks upon the
character Of the deceased, Mr.. A. B. Claxton,
the foreman, was called to the chair, and Mr..
Gregory appointed secretary.
Mr.. Robinson then offered the following
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas He in whose hands are the issues of
life and death has, in his wisdom, removed from
earth man whom we esteemed, and whose char
acter was a brilliant embodiment Of all that was
noble and great, and worthy of imitation by the
rising generation; as a testimony Of our respect
for the deceased, therefore
Rcsolred, That in the death of General Robert
Armstrong feel that we have lost a friend
whose generous impulses for our welfare have
endeared him to us.
- IL.