Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-31
3 elm out Chrunitle.
Senator Brisr, Colonel of the Cali
6ornin Rsgiment--His Life and

gornin hegtment--His Lie ana
Death.
George Wilkes, in the New York Tribune
of the 23d. pays the following proud tribute
to this distinguished Statesman-W Warrior
Among the saddcst losses which have
been inflicted on the country since tie open
ing of the war, is tha. Of the late lamented
Edward d. Baker, Colonel of the LIST Regi- |
ment Of California Volunteers, and Senator
Of the United States. Col. Baker partici- |
pated in the battle which took place near
Edwards Ferry. IN Virginia, on the after
noon Of Monday last. and fell at the head
Of his troops, while waving his sword aud
cheering on his men. BY his death, the
country is deprived of ouc ct its most elo.
quent advocates in the superior chamber of
our national legislation, and one Of its most
seasoned and fearless champions in the field.
Col Baker, though his ripeued years pre-
sented him TO the country as an accomplish
ed lawyer, and soldier of repute, began
life under the most humble circumstances,
and is indebted to no regular scholarship,
either in literature or arms, for the distinc
ton which, in both of these positions he
achieved. He was essentially one Of those
spontaneous creations which our noble in
stitutions SO frequently develop, and which
are most honorably known among us, as
'self made men" And that Col. Baker
was high specimen of that class, may be
seen by the difficulties which retarded him
at his outset, and the pitch Of the elevation
be attained
The dead Senator was of English birth,
but he came to this country when five years
Of age, and by the choice Of his father was
settled in Philadelphia, that Quaker neigh
borhood being especially congenial, as the
old gentleman was ofthe Society Of Friends. ;
In a few years the father died, and left Ed
ward, and younger brother relationless,
and unprovided. Labor, however. that
common patron IF the well and willing, ex-
tended its resource through the occupation
Of his father, and he obtained employment
as weaver in small establishment in
South street of that city. There he re-
mained faithfully at work for considerable
period of time, devoting his earnings, for a
while, to the support of his brother, aud
gradually instructing him. that he might,
in time, support himself Possessed Of ar
ardent imagination, he naturally took deer
interest in reading, and being stimulated by
the allurements of romance his taste enlarg
ed. until il embraced the whole range o.
sober as we'll as Elusive literature But none
however, sawin that patieut, thoughtful
never-Aagging boy the future statesman
whose youth was worthy Of lift. Modest,
il . good maxim for the manners OF a youth
but genius always knows itself; and Edward
Baker, whose mind had dwelt upon tn,
marvels Of the West feeling within himsel
that confidence which innate strength in
spires, determined to seek its broad and in
yiting platform for his future. Youth need
but little preparation when it sets ont t.
seek its fortune; and hope at all times re
quires but little backing.
Edward, though he had but it'll. mean
TO make the Journey commitment his res
olution TO his brother, and the tNp hand
l0om journeymen, with packs ul,,l thei
shoulders, strong staffs in their h.oi., mn,
stout, hopeful hearts within tho, !osoms
set their faces toward the Allcghiins. Ol
foot, they undertook their asccni and o
foot they crossed; and so they tru lged alon
through broad intervening States, until the
found themselves in that portion of tn
then far West which was known as Illinois
Here the young men paused and cast thei
lot, Edward selecting Springfield as tn
special place Of residence There, in littl
while, he was enabled to turn to accouil
the legal reading which he had begun i
philadelphia and having happy gift {
language to help it into use, he soon wa
enabled to make living at the law. B
fast degrees he rose, and ripenng with e,
ercis1, it was not long before he was anon
the most popular advocates at the bar.
Through his prosperity he was now enable
to look beyond the narrow circle Of ii
private spites and grieis, in which the mel
attorney is required to abuse his mind an
the broad field Of politics invited him to til
discussion Of more lofty topics He en-
braced the doctrines of the Wing yarty, an
transferred his eloqucnce to the forum wit
such effect that he soon won his way to Coz
gress He occupied his seat in the Hous
Of Representatives with dignity and credi
and was fast being recognized as one of tn
leaders Of that body, when the temptation
Of the Mexican can paign appealed to h
ardent and enthusiastic mind, and induce
him TO abandon civil life, and seek an en-
ployment in the way Of war; He went
Illinois, raised a regiment and took il to tli
Rio Grando. A pause in the campaign OF
ablcd him to return temporarily to Wash
ington, in order that he might express hin
self upon the policy of the war and cast h
votes; but that done, hc went back to b
command, and followed its fortunes on I'll
line from Vera Cruz. All the actions Of III
contested road to Mexico recognized h
valor; and when Shields fell at the head
his brigade at Cerro Gordo, il was Baker
distinguished fortune to rise TO the comman,
and TO lead the New York regiments throup
the bloody struggles Of that day. Well
We mind the lofty look with which the mob
Senator, fifteen years more Of snow being {
his head, told the people of this city,
that circumstance, in April last, when, o
' together, we pledged ourselves at Unic
equars to ayengo the parricidal blow
6umter.
Returning to Illinois In triumph, Colon
Baker was again elected to represent h
district in the halls Of Congress and /
served there until 1850, but at the end
his term, he yielded to some views of bus
ness, and went out for awhile TO Panam
The fever, however, soon drove him hom
where being recruited in his health, a ne
contsgion touched his mind This was d
memorable epidemic which directed uniye
ri attention to the Pacific shore and yiel
ing 10 the fascination, the soldier who h,
become unsettled by the exctements of ii
war, turned his footsteps to the new III D.
rsdo Of the West. His fame had gone b
fore him, and he was spared any efforts
populsrise himself in this new field of effoi
He took at once a superior position at ii
bar OF Ban Francisco, and a large proporti,
Of the heavy cases OF the circuit sought n