Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1860-04-21
Z S kett b.
GEN. SAMUEL DALE.

The life and times of Gen. Sam. Dale, the
Mississippi partizan, has recently been issued
from the press, under the editorship of Hon.
j. f. ii. UlaibourDe, Of Mississippi 1t is
most interesting work, full OF startling Incl.
dents, with o running commentary on men
and things OF the duy in which the partizan
lived.
Below we give his impression of men and
things about Washngton-such as existed
there in his day and generation.
about this time, | resolved to visit
Washington city, to attend to my claim for
large amount due me for corn and other
supplies furnished to the troops in the service
of the United States at various times, and on
the expedition to Fort Dale, in Butler
county. On arriving ! put up at Browns
hotel, and next day went to the quarters Of
the Alabama delegation. The third day,
Col. VIM. II. King, Of the Senate, brought
me word that President jackson desired to
see me. "Tell Dale said he to Col. King
that if ! had as little to do as he has. l
should have seer him before now" The
General was walking in the lawn iu front Of
his mansion as we approached He advanced
and grasped me warmly by the hand.
mo introduction is needed" said the Col.
onei.
"Oh, no." said the General, shaking my
hand again, 81 shall never forget Sam. Dale" "
We walked up into his reception room,
and was introduced to Col. Benton and five
or six other distinguished men. They were
all very civil, and invited me to visit them
They were talking qualification" the en-.
crossing subject at that period, and the
President turning to me said, Gen. Dale, if
this thing goes on, our country will be like o
ban Of ur;t bot Ie p;ol. - ~
in the middle or otherwise, and it will run
out. l must tie tho bag and save the
country" The company now took leave, but
when | rose to retire with Col. King the
General detained me, and directed his servant
TO refuse oil visitors until one o'clock. lie
talked over our campaigns and then of the
business which brought mo to Washington.
lie then said, "Sam, You have been true to
your country, but you have made one mistake
10 life you are now old and solitary, without
a bosom friend or family to comfort you
God called mine away. But all l have
achieved, fame, power, everything i would
exchange ii she were restofed To me for o
moment"
The iron man trembled with emotion, and
for some time covered his face with bis hands,
| and tears dropped on his knee. / was deeply
affected myself. lie took two or three turps
across the room aud then abruptly said -
dale, they are trying me here; you will
witness it but, by the God Of Heaven, l will
uphold the laws"
understood him to be referring to nulit.
cation again, his mind having evidently re.
Cured to it, ard expressed the hope that
things would go right.
They shall 60 right, sir" be exclaimed
passionately, shivering his pipe upon the
table.
He calmed down after this, and showed me
his collection of pipes, many of most costly
and curious kind, sent to him from every
quarter, his propensity for smoking being
well known. These" said he, will do to
look at l still smoke my corn-cob, Sam, as
you and have often done together, it is the
sweetest and best pipe"
When rose to take leave, he pressed ME
to accept room there. II can talk to you
at night 10 the day l an beset." declined
on the plea Of business, but dined with him
several times, always-no matter what digni
taries were preseni-sitting at bis right hand
lie ate very sparingly, only taking a single
cent. When we parted for the last time, be
said, "My friend, farewell we shall see each
other no more-let US meet 10 Heaven.
1 could only answer him with tears, for
felt that We should meet no more on Garth.
The Alabama delegation each invited me
to formal dinner, and introduced me very
generally to the members. Mr.. Calhoun was
particularly kind. 1t was from him that
first received the assurance that the nullif
cation trouble would be settled lie was q
man OF simple manners, very plain in his
attire OF the most moral habits, intensely
intellectual, something of an enthusiast, nnd
il personally ambitious, equally ambitious fol
the glory Of his country. His style of speak
ing was peculiaI-auent, often vehement, but
wholly without ornament; be rarely used Q
figure OF speech; his gestures we're few ant
simple, but he spoke with bis eyes-they were
iall OF concentrated fire, and looked you
through he was earnest in everything. ii,
found his way very soon to my heart, and
then and now deeply regret the dissensioni
sowed by intriguers between him and Genera
jackson.
| When visited Colonel Benton at O'Clock
in the evening, ! was conducted to him ia
room where he was surrounded by his chill
J dren and ,heiI school books. He was teach
ing them himself. That very day he present
led au elaborate report TO tha Senate, th