The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-01-17
.HairaDcau B. lamar.

..1airaDcau rs. lamar.
The demise ola manso distinguished in the
history of our country as was Mirabcau B. La
mar, deserves something more than a passing
notice; especially TO the people of Georgia,
among whom hewas born, and where he passed
the early part of his life. We regret that we
arc unable to do that justice to the subject
which its merits deserve.
Gen. Lamar was born in Putnam county, in
this State, and at the time OF his death was
about G3 years of age; and up to the time o:
the Texas Revolution, resided in Georgia, where
he filled many honorable positions, with credit
to himself and those whom he represented. lie
was for along time editor and proprietor Of the
Columbus Enquirer, the first paper ever pub
lshcd in this city, and the old files of that ster-
ling and influential sheet will show that he
welded the gray goose quill" with as much
facility and force as he afterwards lid the sword
on the ensanguincd field Of San Jacino.
Upon the breaking out of tile Texas Revolt
ton, his sympathics and feelings were SO greatly
aroused at the tyranny and expressions which
that infant colony had received at the hands of
the Mexican government, that he determined
|
the scale and to sacrifice comfort and compc-
tcncy at home, in order that Texas might enjoy
all the immunitics ola free country, from which
she had been dcbarred by the selfish policy Of
Santa Anna and other bold and intriguing chiefs
of Mexico.
Gathering around him few personal and
attached friends, he repaired to the scat ofwar.
Ills bold and chiyalric nature, resembling more
the brilliant character of Bayarl than that of
an advcnturcr, soon made his services sought
for. lie was almost Immediately placed in a
position of thchighest honor and responsibility,
and won and held the confidence of the Texan
people until the Independence of that country
was acknowledged, undergoing all the priva-
tons and sutferings of the gallant, halt.clad,
halfstarvcd army Of the Republic, until the Sun
of San Jacinto went down uron the flying and
beaten battalions of Mexico.
The cavalry charge at San Jacinto, led by
Lamar and the gallant Sherman, is considered
by all military men to be one ofthe most splcn-
did and desperate feats ofarms ever accomplish
ed. Numbering less than Is men, poorly armed
and indiflerently mounted they boldly rushed
upon the bristling squares of Mexican infantry,
riding them down under the hoofs of their
horses and sabrcing the canuouicrs ttle guns.
Every where in the thickest of the fight, was
seen the gttcring sword of the gallant Lamar,
a beacon of hope to his brave and scanty fol-
lowers, and bright mark for the bullets Of the
enemy. The contest was long and doubtful.
Right and courage triumphcd over wrong and
tyranny, and the routed and beaten invaders
fed ingloriously from the field, and Texas was
free There are few actionsin history that can
compare with the cavalry charge at San Jacinto,
and it does not pale Before the rash onset of
the Light Brigade at Balaklaya, nor does it lose
any of its brilliancy when compared with the
bold charge against the Sikhs at Chillianwal-
ah
After the war lie retired into private life, un-
ii. called by the almost unanimous voice of the
| Tor ;si.;Sto the Chief MagistracY Of the
siisssa efe i&f bafHf:a. :
those times fully prove.
Just before his DEATH Gen. Lamar had ius
closed his Mission to the Central American
States, to the satisfaction of our Government
a position Of delicate trust and requiring quail
ties which he possessed in an eminent de
grco.
As statesman, soldier and diplomatst, ht
was always equal to any emergency in whicl
he might be placed and as an author, q volume
ofpocms has been published, which shows tlla
he was 10 unsuccessful woocr of the Muses.
Gen. Lamar was twice married Ills frs
wife is buried in the cemetery in this city; tho
second survives him. the beautiful and accom-
plishcd daughter OF the late Rev. John New
land Maiftt.- COln"ldns (Go.) Times.