Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-02-23
Sketch Of Major Anderson.

M;UOT ROUcrC ANDERSON, whose name
has now become as familiar as house.
hold word in connection with the de-
fences of Charleston, was born in Ken
tucky, in September, in 1906, and is
now, therefore, in his seth year. In
personal appearance, he is about five
feet nine inches in height; his figure is
well set and soldierly; his hair is thin,
and turning to iron-gray; his complex
ion swarthy ; his eye dark and intelli-
gent; his nose prominent and we'll
formed. A stranger would read in his
air and appearance, determination and
an eXaction of what was due to him.
In intercourse he is very courteous, and
his rich voice and abundant gesticu!a-
tons 90 well together. lie is always
agreeable and gentlemanly, firm and
diynitied. On the 1st of July, 1921, he
entered the Military Academy at West
Point, whence he graduated July 1st,
1926, taking high position in a large
class, composed of such men as Alex
ander Dallas Bache, Col. Benjamin IIu-
ger, Col. Francis Taylor, Col. Charles
F. Smith, and others who have been
distinguished as well in civil life as in
the line of their profession. His first
commission was that of brcvet Second
Lieutenant of the 2nd Artillery. July
l, 1925. and he was subsequently pro-
noted Second Lieutenant in the Third
regiment, dating from the same day.
From May to October, 1882, ne was
acting Inspector General of the Illinois
Volunteers, in the BLACK Hawk war
and it is here worthy of note that our
President elect, Mr.. Lincoln, was one
of the captains of those troops. LII
June, 1888, he was promoted 1st Lieu
tenant, and between 1885 and 1887 was
Assistant Instructor and Inspector at
the L. 5. Military Academy. In 1888
he became Abide. camp to Major-Gcn.
Scott. and in the following year pub
lishcd Instructions for Field Artillery,
Horse and Foot, arranged for the SER
vice of the United States" which has
been highly approved. For gallantry
and successful conduct in the war with
the Florida Indians, he received the
brcvct of Captain. bearing date April 2,
1888. JULY. 1888. he became Assist
ant Adj General, with the rank Of Cap
tain. which he reinquished subsequent
ly Oh being promoted to cartaincy in
his regiment, October, 1S41.
In March, 1s47, he was with the Sd
Artillery in the army of Gen. Scott,
and took part in the siege OF Vera Cruz,
being one of the officers to whom was
entrusted by Gen. Bankhead, the COM
mand of the batteries. This duty he
performed with 81 gnal skill and gallant
rv, and he continued with the army un-
til its triumphal entry into the City of
Mexico, in September following. Du-
ring the operations in the valley of Mex
leo, he was attached to the brigade Of
Gen. Garland, which constituted a part
OF Gen. Worth's division. In the at
tack OH Molino del Rcy, on the 8th, Sep
tcmber. where he was wounded very Sc
vercly, his brave conduct was the theme
of especial praise and commcndation OH
the part of his superior officers. Capt.
Burke, his immediate commanding Of
ticer, in his dispatch Of September 9,
says: "Capt. Robert Anderson (acting
field officer behaved with great hero
ism on this occasion. Even after re-
ceiving severe and painful wound, he
continued at the head of the column,
regardless of pain and se!f-preservation,
and setting a handsome example to his
men, of GOODNESS, energy and courage"
Gen. Garland speaks of him being with
some few others, the very first to ell
ter the stong position of Ell, Molino,"
and adds that :" Brevet-Maj. Buchanan,
4th Infantry; Capt. Anderson, Sd Ar
tillerv; and Lieut.. Sedgewick, End Ar
tillery, appear to have deem particularly
distinguished for their gallant defence
of the captured works" In addition
to this testimony to his bearing on that
occasion we have that of Gen. Worth,
who particularly directed the attention
of the Commander-in-C Chief to the part
he had taken in the action. "For gal
liant and meritorious conduct, in the
battle of Molino del Rey," he was pro-
NOTED to the brevet rank OF Major, dat
ing from September, 1S47. October 5,
1857, he was promoted to the position
of Major, list Artillery, which position
he now holds.
This is certainly good record for a
soldier, and proves that judicious Sc
lection was made of the commander
who is to defend the government forts
and property at Charleston. The last
service of Maj. Anderson, previous to
his taking command of Fort Moultrie,
was as n member of the commission
ordered last summer by Congress to in