The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-03-23
TAs Neyr nenee.l.

The Telegraph brings the Information tha,
Colonel Sumner has been promoted to the briss
diership made vacant by the expulsion of The
traitor Twiggs. The following sketch Of tho liz
Of this gallant officer will be interesting 70 ON,
readers. Edward v. Sumner was bori, in Boz
ton, Mass, but was resident of this state in ls.
~, when 20 was appointed second lieutenant in
the Second Infantry. In 1853 he was made cap
tain IN the newly.raised First Regiment Of ORA.
goons. From 1879 to ls4s he WAS almost con.
stantly engaged in service ON the western from.
tier, and in the course of his many expeditions
| acquired an unequalled knowledge Of the habits,
tribes east Of the Rocky Mountains ea
When the Mexican war broke out he accom-.
panied the expedition to New Mexico % com.
mandsr Of his regiment but being promoted 70
the post Of Major of the Second Dragons, then
in Mexico, he started to Join them. He was met
at New Orleans BY an order from General Scott,
assigning him to the command of the regiment
of Mounted Rifles. This selection, though highly
complimentary to Major Sumner, Involved an i'm
inense amount Of labor. The larger part ofboth
officers and men were entirely ignorant Of their
profession, but, thanks to the skill and untiring
energy Of Major Summer, they attained degree
Of excellence which made the corps one Of the
most efficient in the army. ~. 4a2tsiA 3
~ VIC Uottie VI OcTTO 0OTuOs WHtiC VSuuSB
the Rifles, he was wounded in the head BY q mus
ket ball, but in few days was able to resume his
dutiea In Puebla he was appointed TO the com.
n,and of his own regiment (the second dragoons(
During the campaign in the valley of Mexico he
was constantly in the saddle, and bore most
conspicuous part. When the battle Of Cheru-
busco seemed to be going against our arms, he
led the Rifles in most gallant manner in an at
tack on the enemy which decided the fate Of the
day. At Molino del Reyh he was ordered to drive
OF large body Of cavalry which was endeavor-
ing to outHank Worth's division. To do this he
was obliged to brave the fire of some thousands
OF the enemy's infantry, by which nearly one.
half Of his men and horses were disabled. With
only about two hundred men left he dashed at
the lancers, and sent them flying in utter con
fusion, to return no more that day. A more des-
perate and dashing charge was never made. For
his conduct in this battle he was brevetted Co
lionel, having previously received the brevet of
Lieutenant-Colonel for his galantry at Cerro
Gordo.
In 1854 he was sent to Europe on official BUSH
ness, and at presentation of foreigners by their
respective ministers, attracted the attention of
Louis Napoleon by his soldierly look. The EN-
peror, after a long conversation, and learning
his errand, promised him every facility, and gave
him letter requiring all officers of the French
army to give him any information he might de-
sire. In 1855 he was made Colonel of the First
Cavalry. While in command in Kansas he gained
the good will OF the settlers by his kindness, and
il the government had followed his advice, most
Of the subsequent troubles would have been
avoided
General Sumner is about sixty years of age,
but vigorous in both mind and body. The coun-
try may rest assured that he possesses the re-
quisite qualifications for his high position, and
that the honor of our flag will never be furnished
by any act Of cowardice or 7'riggsism on his
part.-IN. Y. Eve. Post.