Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-25
Colonel r. ID. Baker.

The New York EOeniag Post gives the fol-
lowing sketch of Colonel Baker, who fell at
the head of his brigade during the battle at
Edwards's Ferry:
Colonel Baker was in many respects a rep
resentative man. Brought to this country
from England while yet an infant, he was
left an orphan soon after his arrival. But sad
as the outlook of the child then was, he
found protection among our people, and
way opened to him by our liberal institu
tions. He was taught the trade of hand loom
weaver at a small man nufacturing establish
ment in Philadelphia where he supported
himself and brother, and acquired the rudi-
ments of education. His enterprise soon led
him to the Great West. Crossing the ALLIE
ghanies on foot, and making passage down
the Wabash in a canoe, he at length settled
on what were then the almost unbroken
prairies of Illinois. He rose with the rising
fortunes of the State. Adopting the law as
profession, he attained first rank at the
bar, and was deemed the equal at least of
Douglas and Lincoln. In 1945 he was elected
to Congress, where he distinguished himself
by his fervid eloquence. When the Mexican
War was declared, he raised regiment and
Joined the army of General Taylor. He par
ticipated in several of the most severely
contested actions of that war, and at Cerro
Gordo, when General Shields was wounded,
assumed the command of his brigade.
After the close of the war Colonel Baker
removed to California, but becoming tempo
| rarily unpopular by his opposition to the
| Vigilance Committee movement, he was in.
| duced to repair to Oregon. His ardent
| nature and rare power as q speaker made
him leader in the politics of the State, and
| he was chosen by the Legislature one of its
United States Senators. Nor was he long in
making his mark in that renowned assem-
| bly,. His replies to the sophistry of Benja-
min, on the question of Secession, combin-
| ing argument and eloquence, logic and wit
| placed him in the front rank of Senatorial
orators. The words he then spoke thrilled
the country, and prepared the way for that
! grand uprising of the nation which occurred
! a few weeks later. Bold, chivalric and
honest, he always spoke from the heart, and
| when slavery was concerned, which he hated
| with the detestatiOD of a noble and generous
nature, he never bOlted the issue nor spared
its defenders.
On the outbreak of this rebellion, to which
Colonel Baker has sacrificed his life, he was
one of the first of the Unionists in the field.
| Coming to this city, where many OF his old
California friends were known to be, he took
an active partin arousing the patriotic i'm
pulse. At the great meeting of the people
In Union Square he was among the most
earnest of the speakers. He saw from the
outset the magnitude OF the contest before
us; he saw that it was going to be no childi
play; and he then warned the country that
it must not and could not cease from its un.
dertaking until the national emblem had
been carried in triumph from the Potomac
to the Rio Grande. He was, however, moi
only speaker; he was doer as WELL and II
q little while he gathered about him as effect
i've a regiment as ever engaged In cam
paign. Men from all the States locked u
his ranks; the regiment became brigade
and the Government would have made him
Major. General if he had not desired to retail
his position in the United States Senate. Ill
fine command was at first in service at Fort
Iess Monroe, whence il was removed TO th'
Upper Potomac.
In the reconnaissance yesterday morning
at HaTrison's Island, he led the right VIM
of General Stones force against an over
whelming superiority of numbers. Will
he was cheering his men 10 the attack, witt
his characteristic gallantry, he was struck b.
was there that so noble and fervid a natur
as that of Colonel Baker would most like Il
die. He was gloriously serving his countr,
in her hour of need; he had experienced Il
his own person and career the benignity 0
her institutions; he loved her as true son
he knew the seriousness Of the crisis; and b
was willing TO yield his life in her defense
But that country could i'll afford the los:
| Courageous, upright, earnest, indomitabl
spirits like his are what she most wants, an
an who feel her sorroWs will drop tear :
the memory Of this eloquent statesman thi
gallant and disinterested soldier.
"a soft answer turneth away wrath" q