New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23
SENATOR BAKER,
COLONEL OF THE CALIFORNIA REGIMENT--HIs
LIFE AND DEATH.
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct %.

LIFE AND DEATH.
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct 29
The country viii be profoundly affected by the
intelligence that the Hon. +. ID. Raker, Senator
from Oregon, Colonel Of the California Regiment
recruited in this city, and commander Of brigade
mostly made up OF Philadelphia regiments, was
killed in battle yesterday, near Leesburg, Virginia,
while CALAMITY leading bis men into the fight. A
more noble and patriotic statesman and soldier did
not live, and it il sad, sad task to chronicle bis
untimely death.
Senator Bakers life has been almost romance.
He is an old Philadelphia, and Of Quaker lineage.
His ancestors were English Friends Col. Baker
himsef was born in England, but was brought TO
Philadelphia when an infant, where he, with q
younger brother, were left orphans soon after their
arrival.
This calamity left them no resource but TO WORK
their way through the world with their own hands.
For while young Baker, the present Senator,
worked as hand-oom weaver in small manuac'
turing establishment near Thirteenth and South
streets, where the loom upon which he lsbored Is
still standing. Ii is likely, now, 10 become an OBJ
ject Of interest. Before be reached manhood, he
paid attention 10 the study OF the law and lett
Philadelphia for the Great West His purse being
light he and bis young brother crossed the hlegha-
nies and went through Ohio aud Indiana, all the
way on foot, until they reached the Wabash RIVER,
which they descended in canoe, and at last found
themselves the broad prairies Of Illinois. In this
|
regular way, and soon made for himself rame,
even at ihe tar of Springfield, where he met-some-
times as colleagues and sometimes "a adversarles-
both the deceased Douglas ard President Lincoln:
Being of active mind, he took part IN the politics
Of Illinois but as he was Wing, and in strongly
Democratic State he did not appear in public life
until 1876 hen he was elected to Congress. Shortly
after this, the Mexican War having occurred, he
raised egir ent his State and went ont to reen-
force General TAYLOR. Returning home rs a bearer
/ q "A. OH al
Rio Grande be resumed bis seal in Congress- bat al
most Immediately resigned andrejoined his regiment.
He participated in the siege Of Vera Cruz aud M the
bloody struggle az Cerf0 Gordo, and All GeneIal
Shields received his apparently mortal wound at the
latter battle, Colonel Baker took command Of the
brigade.
6ter the war was over, Col. Baker was egain
elected g. Congress from Illinois, where he served
with distinction during the sessions Of 1919 and
1850 In pursuance of 9 contract with the Panama
Railroad Company be raised, equipped and led to
the Isthmus four hundred men, with whom 10 sur
yeyed aud cleared much of the track Of that IN
portant highway Here, III common with many Of
bis labOFers, he seized with the deadly Panama
fever aud neatly lOst his lie. He returned 10 Hi
nois with both health and fortune impaired, and in
1852 went With bis family 10 California. In San
Francisco Col. Baker soon took front rank in his
profession of the law and acquired most lucrative
practice. His fame as a lawyer and orator penetra'
ted every part Of that remarkable State. But he
WIS famous also orator, and his panegyrlc OF
Frederick over the body Of the murdered Senator is
said to have been OF the grandest exhibitions OF
feryid cloquence ever seen OF heard this CONT
nent.
Bot little more than year ago, the spirit Of pro.
eress being stl in full yigor in bis breast, Cooae
Baker removed TO Oregon. His character aud fame
had preceded him, and almost Immediately after his
arrival he was elected 70 the Senate oil the United
Sta,es for Fix years True to his instincts az a pat
riot he a second time under almost similar circum-
stances laid aide the robes Of the legislator for the
armor of the soldier.
Al the outbreak If the rebellion be raized a ree-
ment called the California Regiment mostly enlisted
10 this city. Subsequently, he added another bat
talon 10 it, also OF PhiladelpLians. Not satisfied
wi h ths, he undertook 70 organize brigade, which
he successfully accomplished ont Of several Pbiadel
pbia regiments. 1t was at the head OF one OF these
that he Yesterday lost his life falling in defense of
hif couniry's life aud honor