Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-11-16
DEATH OF col. BAKER.

Col 4 d. Baker, u. 8. Senator from
! Oregon, has fallen in battle at the head of
his regiment. The country's less is a So
we're one. No braver man, or more ac-
complished gentleman, has lost his life in
this unhappy war. He was a native of
England and came to this country with
his parents in his infancy. During the
Mexican war he was Colonel Of one O. the
Illinois Regiments, and distinguished aiW
sell, by Leading his men in one OF the
| brilliant and desperate charges that won
the day at Cerro Gordo. After the close
Of the Mexican war he emigrated to Cali
tornia. His energy of CHARACTER, his chi
valrous department and splendid talent
made him a man of mark He was one
Of the true friends Of the lamented Drod.
erick, aud bis Grafton on the death Of that
true man and Senator, was a master. piece
and gave him national reputation. Its
thrilling eloquence touched the hearts Of
the people. Disappointed in his hopes
for political pretermsnt in California, he
removed to Oregon, and was elected U.
s. Senator by a coalition of Douglas De-
mocrats and Republicans against the Joe.
Lane Democrats. He entered the Senate
Of the United States last winter, with a
high reputation for eloquence, which he
fully maintained. One of his most remark
aole speeches was during the late extra
session Of Congress, in reply to John G.
Drsckinrid ge.
He accepted the command of the Cali.
fornin Regiment so called, which was
raised in the cities of New York and Phi.
ladel pha and was the largest Regiment in
the service, numbering about fifteen hun
drei men
The writer met Colonel Baker in June
last, on a steamer going from Baltimore
to Fortress Monroe. He said he did not
expect to survive the war; that in his
Judgment, he never should see the shores
of the Pacific again. This was hardly as
much pre.entiment on his part as a cal.
culation. He said the troops were green,
and it would be necessary for the officers
to expose themselves. He had seen ser.
vice, and would feel it a duty to lead his
regiment The enemy had plenty Of sharp
shooters, and he presumed they would
pick him OF He said he believed it wo'd
be his fate to die at the head of his regi
ment-and so he died.
1t may illustrate the temper and char
acter Of the sElaa TO inanti9ntthat, after
saying with as perfect calmness as he
could have named the most trivial cir
cumstances, that he believed it would be
his fate to fall in battle, and that he sho' d
never see his bone on the Pacific again,
he retired from the guards where he had
engaged in conversation, to the cabin,
and seating himself at the piano, played
with grace and skill remarkable for gen
tleman amateur on that instrument, sew
eral touching airs, among them that fav-
orite of the English soldiers before Sebas-
tapol-sweet and mournful Annie Laurie.
In person, Col. Baker was erect, tall
and commanding. His features were re-.
gular in outline and refined in expressiou
his eyes blue and keen his cleanshaven
face rosy with health. The top of his
head was bald, and the fringe Of hair
about his ears and collar was as fine as
unspuu silk and white as snow.
We believe he never was married. His
mother is living near Springfield, III. lie
visited her little more than year ago,
aud spent several days in her humble
home