The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-11-10
A BRIEF MEMOIR OF THE LATE COL. BARON
DE WEISSENFEIS


One of the Heroes of the Revolution. Compiled from
| authentic papers left by his daughter and only heir
! the late Mrs Harriet de la Palm Baker, deceased.
Baron de Weissenfes native Of Elbing, in the
kingdom of Prussia town in Germany bears the
Of his family lie was trained to under Frederick
tho Great and peace having been conquered by that
great captain Weissenfcs sought employment in the
British service in North America in 1856 He assembled
the Heights Of Abraham with the brave Wolfe, and
him expire in the Of victory. He officer in
the royal American regiment the attack Fort 1icon
dcroga and participated in the descent upon and capture
of Havana in 1852
When peace was concluded with France in 1863, Weis-
senes among the reduced officers and settled in
New York lie had served in the regiment with
ST. Clair.
When the wings of the colonies, in l775 raised the
standard of liberty and struck for their rights Wesscn
fes was one OF the first who embarked in the cause
though it in strong opposition to his interests and
the wishes Of his friends for loyal subject of noble
family and officer Of the King army titles and hon
and wealth lay in his path before him. But he hest
tatcd not sacrifice them oil the altar liberty.
While Others prudent, paused to stpulac for in
Identification for such losses he lost sight of them all in
the dazzling brightness TINT invested the principles which
he flew to sustain His military science and TACT to-
geter with his dauntcss courage rendered his services
great acquisition and shortly afterwards he again at
Quebec brigade major with Montgomery.
Returning from that disastrous expedition he received
from the American Congress- in March, l776 commits
sion of lieutenant colonel commandant of the third New
York battalion.
" The colonel who commanded the second regiment OF
the New York line 10 which he then belonged having
deserted Lieut. Col Weissenfels invested with the
command by General Washington, and havely fought
the enemy at White Plains.
After the battle at White Plains, he accompanied
Washington with the army the Hudson river and
across New Jersey to Pennsylvania, and assisted in the
capture OF the Hessans at Trenton. He also with
his regiment Mt the capture of Burgoyne.
50 In the attack upon the British army at Monmouth
house. he commanded the second New York regi
ment dhe colonel Van Cotlandt being under orders at
another place. and for the first time with fixed bayo
nets drove the inyncble British regulars from their
ground He accompanied the regiment, second
in command in the campaign against the Indians in
l779 and under Gen. Sullivan, in severe battle with
them at New Town, ON the Hoga river charged them
with bayonets and secured victory. Gen Washington
esteemed Col Weissenfes brave intelligent, efficient
Officer punctual in duty, always at his post. Letter
of Gen. ColEix March Is, 1888
And thus he employed to the end Of the war,
during with his compatrios in arms untold privations
harsips and dangers. Had he fallen into the hands of
the having left the British service without dis
chnrge-he would have been liable to all the dreadful
penalties ior desertion. 81
For his faithful services in the royal amy before the
revolution he entitled, by proclamation of the
King to large tract of land. This, together with his
hapay of lieutenant he lost by entering into the
vice OF the United Colonies He ever dsdaincd to ask
for remuneration these losses though he greatly
needed IT, '.from unwillingness to give seeming
mercenay character to services which had been prompted
solely by the most noble and generous impulse.
! Colonel weisscnfes is dead And his daughter and
only heir the nhcrtor Of his poverty well MS his
allied virtues also is dead. Her children survive her
also needy but trusting that the country which has be-
great and rich, and powerful through the wisdom
aud the yaoi of the patriots of the revoutionof whom
their grandfather distinguished oncwill accord TO
them that justice which, had he demanded II himself
could hardly have been denied aud the claim to which
! has descended TO them.
A FRIEND OF THE HEIRS
i P. S-Mrs Boutwell,, the youngest daughter Of the
late Mrs ii. ID p Baker, married Commander Boutwell,,
United States navy Her two elder sisters unmarried
and stand greatly in need Of peeuniay aid from Con
gress.