The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-08
OUR GENERALS.

Sketches or butIer, Banks, MeOleIland.
Fremont, Pattsrssn, C&dw lasisr, Hsr-
nsy, Mansfield. Mcdowell, Lyon, Kcim,
and Williams.
We to the readers or the HssALD 10 day brlef
biographical sketches Of tho American Generals now as
the seat OF war; and those recently appointed We pre-
sumo to say that upon examining che merits and quail
locations OF these ocers their spAst services and soca
positions the selection hls bean In the highest de-
gree judicous, and that those are uss common
phrase, "hs right In the right Places and fully
qualified TO take active part crush out the great re-
beifon now in existence We published sketch Of csa
Prentiss, Of Giro, in yesterday's p,psr.
MAJOR GHNERAL 9. r. BUTLER.
Major General Benjamin f. Butler hes thus far been the
most prominent volunteer ocsr since tho PresdsutS
proclamation Of Aprl15 Ps saergy, activity and Per
severance In opening way Of communication with
Washington at time when the capital seemed cut of by
sven<s at Baltimore have been we'll known to the publc
and have won from tho administration the highest enco
mfums. Mr.. Butler was born at Deer6eld, Rockingham
county, New Hampshire, In 1875 and Ia consequently
years Old One Of his ancestors Ciisy
ono OF the truest Revolutionary stock in Now Eugtand
and the subject Of this biography related 70 tAe ia
mensed Jonathan Ciiley, who was killed in the duel
With Graves OF Kentucky Mr. Butler received his collie
gate education at wstervle Asns whore the Bapsist
denomination have dourshng literary institu
t!on 10 studied law, and took up his residence
at Lowell, Massachusetts,, where he disug
himself advocate in tho courts OF MddlsseK county
His reputation was extended TO Boston, and he has
long held prominent position In the Massachusetts, bar,
whether In tho courts OF tho State of the genera
government As advocate he IL distinguished by the
energy vith which be devotes himself 10 bis CLIENT and
by hestroDg, playful and sometimes vehement language
hurled against opposing counsel Many anecdotes are
told Of him in Massachusetts, illustrating what ws have
said His forte 10 in the trial Of cases. II Ia said that he
has trod jury the last years than any
other lawyer In the United States.
But aside from the law no has than one COCA.
sion manifested GOODNESS and inrepidity under trying
circumstances.
An authentic story told too OF his cooness 10 danger
and hs promptnss 10 action which 10 worthy OF note
At political meeting 10 Lowell OF the party with whom
he acted, the house very crowded. and while Mr..
Choase was speaking q jar was felt and crash heard
Every turned pale and frighul panic ssemsj i'm
fears OF the mutude yet he went Immediately out with
architect aud examined tho budding which proved to
be In mo%entsry danger Of falling hefsiuTnsd quickly
the PLATFORM he assured the assembly that there was no
danger but he suggested the house was some
what that they should adjourn to the open
air front Of tho Merrimack House. They did with
out accident 1t proved Afterwards that what ne quietly
whispered to the oraso. vas "Mr Chosse nuss clear
remark most noticeable whether regard Its coolnes
tudor such apprehension Of danger M appreciation
seriously what quick decision what discretion and what
SELF sacrifice shown by this action en- the part OF
sus How few men men YOU'D de hase
danger would have contrived The means OF avoiding III
and much fewer would under those perous ctrcum
stances have trusted themselves within that crowded
building at ALI
Ao has siwAys been prominent politician OF the OK
treme wing OF the democracy, and has been in rum-
arofp cal In In
member OF the Massachusetts House OF Representatives
for the first time in 1853, was member or the Const
Nddlesex In lS598O In May, 1890 he was senatorial
delegate 70 the Democratic Convention In Charleston
and afterwards at Baltimore He sided with the Breckn
ridge faction and Upon his return homo was nominated
by that portion Of the democratic party candidate TOR
Governor He Of the first to respond to the pro
Camaton OF President Lincoln calling for volunteers and
his subsequent services have made him patriotic and
enegei, officer, dear to the loyal people OF the United
Gsneral Butler, with single Massachusetts regiment
the Eighth, marched from his own state through six
other States, into Maryland embarked on board a
enems's country aud took possession Of Annapolis,
and held IT, The War Department, approaching this bold
movement immediately created the now Department OF
federal capital ind also on tho east included Baltimore
city ana made General Butler commander OF tie same
He proceeded TO reconstruct locomotives build bridges
and make railroads. He pushes on toward Baltimore
foriaes himself at the Relay Houae with the sixth Massa
chuso.s and Eighth Ne. York regiments and Cooks sSs
ton between the rebels at Hsrpcr's Ferry
and those in Baltimore; he sends out bis
upon the enemy and with the Same Massachusetts reg
mont that the rebels OF Baltimore stoned three weeks
previous accompanied BY Cooks Boston battery and the
himself upon the highest point OF land overlooking the
whole CITY, issues hts proclamation giving protection to
all 10y slss and announcing his uItimatum to all traitors,
selaes arms arrests traitors and marches through the
streets escorted by tho single company Of the gallant
Sixth which received the severest treat
~. &hrsA No la
before The Pennsylvania troops that we're at
within atteen miles OF Baltimore three weeks ago, reach
tr% S VIZ Cen susle, has made brilliant ca npa'gn
The President the Secretary Of War; General Scott all
appreciate the man, and acknowledge the servces which
be and the oa,ceys and men under him have rendered
MAJOR GENERAL n. P. BANKS.
The appointment OF Ex-Governor Banks to q Major
Generalship in the United States Army viii be hailed
with delight By his legion OF friends throughout the
country brief sketch Of bis career up to the present
time will no doubt prove Interesting just NOW. He
was born 10 waltham Massachusetts, June 80, 1916.
With no ether opportunities OF carly education than the
common Schools OF New England, he was placed,
as he could DO Of service, at work in a
cotton factory, in his native village, by his
t Sso Iora paon
came upon him In connection with the representation
Of dramatic company formed among his associated,
promise a to have had Inducements orsred him to
adopt % sctors career by profession Choosing however
another stave he eoured before political meetings,
yceums ana temperance societies, and Afterwards be-
came the editor Of tho village paper Of his native place.
Entering tsus upon .Ae Ssd & Re!|cs b. ,soeiy;
the Boston Custom Hqlle, and ,w5 In request
IN the democratic party at their political meet.
inss. Hs was elected TO tho House of Representa-.
tives for $780, andts entered on the
roll Of members as pnachinst." sfRe next year he
appears as lawyer IN 1851 he was chosen Speaker Of
the House Of tho prominent advocates Of the Goa
on the democrats and free sellers, BY which
the ancient rule Of the wings was overthrown in Aassa
chuscts. he again elected the following year BY
the coalescng VOTE and also representative TO the
ensuing Congress- In tho summer Of 1858 he
was, President Of the Convention called to re
wise the constitution OF the STATE During his
FIRST term having Withdrawn from his adhesion to tho
democratic party and voting against the passage Of the
Kansas Nebraska BILL although no voted for taking It
up he was elected to Congress In 1854 With tho sup
port both the American and republican parties and at
It's meeting In December In consequence OF his high re-
putAtion presiding officer adopted ~ the candidate
Of the latter for the speakersh!p, and elected by plu
ralty VOTE after q contest OF Two months, and over
q hundred ballots for . majority, as required by
the standing rules OF the House. But at tho close
of that Congress handsome vote OF thanks passed
upon the acceptable manner in which tho more
than ordinarily difficult duties Of that position had been
performed. BE member Of the next Congress, and
nominated In separate conventions Of the American and
republican parties for the Office OF Governor of Sassachu
Sets to which he elected In 1857 While fulfilling