The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-09-06
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF
GEN. JOSEPH LANE,


the Senate of the United States one of her rep
resentaives, General Joseph Lane, one OF the most
remarkable men Of the age, whose career Is hne
illustration of the genius of our institutions, and
demonstrates that the high places of honor and
distinction are accessible to all who possess ability,
energy and perseverance.
General Lane descended from revolutionary an
cestors, was born in the State of North Carolina,
was reared and educated in Kentucky, emigrated
to Indiana and settled the banks of the Ohio, in
the county of Nandenburg; where without the adj
ventitious aid Of fame, family fortune he work
ed his way from an humble plough boy and fiat
boatman on the Mississippi to the highest position
of a distinguished soldier and statesman. At the
aye of twenty one, when barely eligible, he was
elected representative in the Legislature of Indi-
ana, and continued to represent his people at in
rivals of one or two years. either in the House or
the Senate, for about quarter of century. Pos
sessing clear strong and practical mind, he took
n liberal and correct view of all the questions af-
fecting the State National interests, which he
enforced with eloquence and power which
placed him in the front of tie ablcst men in the
Legislature
His name is indissolubly connected with some of
the most important measures, which developed the
resources, advanced the prosperity and improved
the finances of the State, especially his successful
efforts to preserve untarnished the public faith,
and to prevent the Reputation of the public debt,
which was boldly advocated by some Of the strong
est men in Indiana.
When the Mexican war broke out, Gen. Lane
member of the State Senate and when Il call
was made upon Indiana, to furnish volunteers for
the war, with that devoted patriotism which has
ever characterized him, he Immediately resigned
his scat, and volunteered as a private in Captain
Walkers company When the companies rcndez-
yOused at New Albany, he elected from the
ranks as their Colonel; but he was permitted to
hold the commission but a very few days. That
sagacious statesman James X. Polk then Presi-
dent of the United States, discerning in Gen. Lane
the qualities to make successful warrior, sent him
a commission OF Brigadier General, a compliment
unexpected it unsolicited by him. The
opponents of the Administration and of the war,
throughout the State, denounced and ridiculed the
appointment, declaring that he mi ght make good
General OF the fat-bOamen on the Mississippi, but
that the idea of Joseph Lane, who had never COM
manded company in his life, taking command of
Il Brigade In War, was simply ridiculous; that he
would disgrace himself, his State and the nation.
Never did a mans achievements in war, more COM
pletely fasify the predictions of his enemies and
realized the most sanguine expectations of his
friends or more triumphantly vindicate the wisdom
of the appointment
In less than three weeks after the receipt of his
commission he was at the seat of war, with all his
troops. In communicating his arrival to General
Taylor he wrote thus-"1he brigade | have the
honor to command is generally in good health and
fine spirits, anxious to engage in active service"
The indomitable energy, the selfsacrfcing spirit
the sound Judgment, and firm purpose which he
displayed In the active service of civil life,
emnently CONSPICUOUS in the stirring scene of bat
tie, blood, and carnage, through which he passed,
illustrated by daring bravery and herosm, which
placed him among the most distinguished heroes
of that memorable war. TO recount the battles in
which General Lane was engaged, the dangers to
which he was exposed, the brave deeds he per-
formed, the skill and judg with which he
planned his battles, and the unvaryng with
which he fought them, would consume more space
than We have to spare. Such the celebrity of
his movement, the skill and stratagem of his plans
the boldness and rapidity of their execution, and
the enthusiasm and courage with which he inspir-
cd his men, by his impassioned appeal to their
valor, as they visited the most fearful slaughter
upon the enemy, the name of Lane struck terror to
the Mexican heart, and by common consent he was
styled "the Marion of the Mexican War" OF all
battles fought in Mexico, the battle of Buena Vista
was the severest and most holly contested, and
of the most remarkable in the annals of the world.
There the American Army, consisting of about FIVE
thousand, mostly raw militia met twenty thousand
Of the chosen troops of Santa Anna in deadly con-
fict, and after prOtracted struggle of two days
achieved glorious triumph
In that battle General Lane performed most
important part No officer contributed more by his
galantry and generalship to win the fortunes of
the day. Upon the left wing of the American
army which General Lane commanded Santa Anna
directed his most obstinate and deadly assaults.
With but 400 men General Lane repulscd a large
body of McNicans, six thousand strong. While
nothing could exceed the fearful array of the as
sailants, they moved towards the little band of
Lane, and their long line of Infantry, presenting
continued sheet of fire; nothing could suppress the
undaunted tirmness and bravery with which Lane
and his men maintained their position and poured
their volleys of musketry into the advancing col
umnS of the enemy, which made them brake and
fall back. Throughout the varying fortunes of that
trying day, General Lane with his little band of
heroes, maintained his position and repulsed the
enemy at every point. On the second day of the
battle Santa Anna finding his strength dcfed and
his most skillful man9uvers defeated as the day
was drawing to Il close, determined to make most
desperate effort to turn the tide of battle in his IA
vor. Collecting all his infantry, he made charge
on the Illinois and Kentucky regiments Calamity
did those brave troops resist the until seeing
their leaders fall, and Ovcrpowered by numbers,
they began to waver and fall back. At this crti-
cal moment the eagle eye of General Lane observed
the movements, when he fastened with his brigade
to the rescue in time to enable the retreating reg
mentS to form and return to the contest and drive
back with great loss the advancing column of the
enemy. This was Santa Annals last struggle On
that bloody and hotly contested field, night soon
closed over the sanguinary scene and when the