Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-28

The Late Colonel BnlEer-HIB Gnllnneryin
the Mexican Wnr-Tho Battle Of CORE
Gordo, IN
The intelligence of the death Of Colonel
Baker, of the California Regiment, while gal
lantly leading his forces against the enemy,
has been received throughout the country
with manifestations Of the deepest sorrow.
A more energetic and determined worker
for the Union, by the powers Of both mind
and body, could not be found in the United
States Army.
Wehave already given our readers sketch
OF his history. A more detailed account Of
his action in the Mexican War can not fail
to prove interesting to all. Colonel Baker,
at the commencement of the Mexican War,
raised regiment of volunteers in the State
of Illinois, where he was then residing. This
regiment, afterward distinguished for its
bravery on many occasions, he led to the
battle field 1t was attached TO the brigade
of General Shields, which included in addi-
ton the regiments of Colonel Foreman of
Illinois, and New York regiment under
command of Colonel Burnett. The bait in
which Colonel Baker and his command most
distinguished themselves was that fought at
Cerro Gordo, between a force on the Ameri-
can side of eight thousand five hundred and
a Mexican army of twelve thousand.
The victory which our army gained on
that occasion was due, in no small measure,
to the cool, intrepid and gallant conduct of
Colonel Baker; and had he not since entered
into public life, and again engaged in a war
for the support of his Government he would
not have been forgotten by the people of any
section of the land. His death would theu
have been the cause of profound regret. He
lived through the war with foreign nation
to die by bullet from an army under the
command of his former companions in arms.
In the memorable battle of which we have
been speaking the following were among
the officers Of our force, fighting by the side
of him they have now slain: The rebel Gen.
eral Beauregard was then United States
Lieutenant; General Twiggs then drew pay
as a General Pillow was Brigadier; our
Ex. Street Commissioner, Gustavus w.
Smith, served as a Lieutenant. So many of
those who then won honor have since dis
graced themselves. OF those in our army
now in the field, who were engaged in the
battle of CerTo Gordo with Colonel Baker,
we may mention General Mcclellan, then
Lieutenant of Engineers, and General Har-
ney, then Colonel.
During the action General Shields, in COM
mand of the brigade to which Colonel Bakers
Regiment belonged, fell, badly wounded.
The command of the brigade then devolved
upon Colonel Baker, who led them into &C.
tion and to honor. Nearly all the ommand
ing officers noticed in their reports of the
battle the heroic conduct of this brigade, led
on by Colonel Baker. General Scott, in his
report to Hon. William L. Marcy, then Sec
retary of War, thus favorably refers to it:
"The brigade so gallantly led by General
Shields, and, after his fall, by Colonel Baker,
deserves high commendation for its fue be-
havior and success These
operations, hid from my view by intervening
hills, were not fully known when my first
report was hastily written"
Thus spoke the Commander-in-Chi of the
forces under the gallant Colonel. In another
part of the same report we find the following
mention made
"The moment the fate of the day was de-
| cded, the cavalry and Taylor's and Wall s
field batteries were pushed on toward Jalapa
in advance of the pursuing columns of in
| fantry-Twiggs's division and the brigade of
| Shields (now under Colonel Baker)-aud
Msior- General Patterson was sent to take
command of them" Previously, "Shields's
brigade, bravely assaulting the left, carried
the rear battery Give guns) on the Jalapa
road, and aided materially in completing the
rout OF the enemy"
The brigade was exposed during the en-
gagement to CALLING FIRE of grape from the
enemy, but boldly stood its ground. General
| Twggs, in command of division, described
their conduct when pursuing the flying
enemy as follows:
"Qn coming out in the plain west of the
Cerro Gordo, and in full view of the Jalapa
road, a battery of five guns supported by a
| body of lancers, was discovered. General
Shieldss brigade was discovered by this por-
tion OF the enemy. The battery opened with
| grape on him and on Lieutenant Benz amin's
company. The gallant General, with shout
| from his men, pushed boldly for the road on
| the enemy's left, who, seeing their position
| completely turned, as we'll as driven from
the field, abandoned themselves to flight
| General Shields was here severely wounded,
the command OF the brigade devolving or
Colonel Baker, who conducted it with abil
ity."
Again:
"Of the conduct of the volunteer force un
der the brave General Shields, l can no
| speak in too high terms. After he wa
wounded, portions of the three regiment
were with me when arrived first at the ia
lapa road, and drove before them the enemy
canDoniers from their loaded guns. Thei
conduct and names shall be the subject of
special report as also that of the several OF
ficers of the regular army, who were distin
guished on the occasion"
General Patterson, commanding the divi
sion of volunteers, also gives praise to Colone
Baker:
"Colonel Baker, Fourth Illinois Regiment
having assumed the command, the enemy
lines were charged with spirit and succes
by the Third and Fourth Illinois and tn
New York regiments of volunteers unde
their respective commanders, Colonels Fore
man and Burnett and Major Harris. Tn
rout now became general, the brigade presse
forward in rapid pursuit, leaving sufiicieu
force to secure the artillery, specie, baggage
provisions and camp equipage left in ou
hands.
"The attention of the General in Chief !
particularly called to the gallantry of Briga
dier. Generals Pillow and Shields, who wer
both wounded at the head of their respec
tive bTigades; and to Colonel Baker, who le
Shields's brigade during severe part of tn
action, and during the pursuit"
Thus then, was the praise due awarded t
the gallant Baker by all who witnessed hi
action in battle. After a lapse of fourtee
years he had again taken the field, aud in th
fret action fell another victim on the alta
of his country. Can his former companion
think of his death without a feeling of re
morse2-Ne,0 York Evening Post.
WHAT IT Is.-A boy at school in tn