Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-01-14
PcEENs COURT HOUSE, $. C. SATURDAY, JANUARY H. 1860
Biography of Gen, Joseph Lane,
OF OREGON

Inc advent OF Oregon INTO the Union Dla.
ccd iii the Senate of the Untcd States, rs
one OF her representatives, General Joseph
Lane, one of the most remarkable men Of the
age, whose career is fine illustration of the
genius OF our institutions, and demonstrates
that the high places of honor and distinction
are accessible to all who possess ability, cncr-
gy, and perseverance.
General Lane descended from rcvolutiona-
ry ancestors, was born in the State of North
Carolina, was reared and educated in Ken
lucky cmigratcd TO Indiana and settled ON
the banks of the Ohio, in the county of Van
donbwg; whore without tie advcntitious aid
OF fame family or fortune, lie worked his
way from an humble plough boy and Hat boat
man on tho Mississippi, to tho high position
OF distinguished soldier and statesman At
the age of twcnty-onc, when barely clgible,
he was elected q representative in the Lc"s-
laturc of Indiana, and continued 10 represent
Ils people, at intervals of one or two years,
either in tho House or Senate for about a
quarter OF century, Possessing n clear,
strong practical mind h. took n liberal and
correct Wow of all questions affecting State
or National interests, which he enforced with
an cloquencc and power, which placed him in
the front OF the ablcSt men in the IoiSlah,rc
some of the most important measures, which
developed the resources, advanced the pros
perlty and improved the finances of the State,
especially his successful efforts to preserve un,
furnished the public faith, and to prevent the
repudiation of the public debt, which was
boldly advocated by some of the strongest
men in Indiana.
When the Mcxcan war broke out, Gen.
a nf t1,o.
when call was made upon Indiana, to fur
nish volunteers for the war, with that doyo-
ted patriotism which has ever characterized
him, he immediately resigned his scat, and
volunteered as private in Captain Walkers
company. When thoHcompnnics rendezvous
| cd at New Albany, he was 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 President of the United States, disccr
ming in General Lane tho qualities to mako
successful warrior, sent him commission of
Brigadicr General, Il compliment as uncxpcc-
ted as it was unsolicited by him The oppo-
nents of the Administration and of the war,
throughout the State, denounced and ridicul d
the appointment; declaring that he might
make goood General of the Aat-boatmen on
the Mississippi, but that the idea of joseph
Lane, who had never commanded company
IN life, taking command Of Brigade in
W. was simply ridiculous; that he would
disgl cc himself, his State and the nation.-
Never did mans achievements in war, more
completely falsify the predictions of his enc
mics and realize the most sangunc cxpccta-
tions of his friends or more triumph ntly vim
dicatc the wisdom Of the appointment
II, lnc, ibon tl,-,o ,..,.l.. ~
of his commission, lie was at the scat of war
with all his troops. In communicating his
arrival to General Taylor he wrote thus
" The brigade have the honor to command
is generally in good health and fine spirits,
anxious to engage i'll active service"
The. indomitablc energy, sc,f.sacrifcing
spirit, the sound judgment and firm purpose
which lie displayed in the active service Of
civil life, were emincntly conspicuous in the
stirring scenes OF battle, blood and carnage.
through which he passed, Illustrated by Il du-
ring bravery and hcrosm, which placed him
among the most distinguished heroes of that
memorable war. TO recount the battles in
which General lane was engaged the dan
gers to which he was exposed, the brave deeds
he performed the skill and Judgment with
which he planned his battles, and tic uuvarv
ing success with which he fought them
would consume more space than we have to
spare. Such was the celebrity of his move
mcnts, the skill and stratagem Of his plans
the hoducss and lapidity of their execution
and the enthusiasm and courage with which
he Inspired his men, By his impassioncd ap-
pcals to their yalor, as they visited the most
fearful slaughter upon the enemy, tho name of
Lane struck terror to the Mexican heart, and
by common consent he was styled " the Ma
ron of the Mexican War" OF all battles
fought in Mexico, the battle of Bucna Vista
was the scvcrcst and most hotly contested
and one of the most remarkable in the an
pals of the world There the American army,
consisting of about five thousand, costly raw
militia, met twenty thousand of the chosen
troops of Santa Anna in deadly conflict, and
after prOtT( cd struggle of two days, achic-
we'd glorious triumph
In that battle General Lane performed n
most important part. No officer contributed
more by his gallantry and gcncraiship to win
the fortunes of the day Upon the left wing
of the American army which General Lane
commanded, Santa Anna directed the most
obstinate and dc; dly assaults. With but 400
men General Lane repulscd large body of
Mexcans, SIX thousand strong. While no.
thing could exceed the fearful array of the as,
sailants, as they moved towards the little band
of Lane, with their long line of Infantry,
presenting continued sheet of fire nothing
could surpaSs the undaunted frmncss and bra
very with which Lane and his men maintain.
ed their position and poured their volleys of
muskatrv into tha oduoncino, ool,,,,,, ~ a. -