Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-08
Sketch of Major Anderson.


Sketch of Major Anderson.
Major Robert Anderson, whose name has now
become familiar as household word in connec-
ton with the defences of Charleston, was born
in Kentucky, in September, 1906, and is there
fore now in the 18th year. In personal appear
ance 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 complexion
swarthy; his eye dark and intelligent !; his nose
prominent and well formed.
A stranger would read in his air and appear
ance determination and an exaction of what
was due to him. In intercourse he is very
courteous, and his rich voice and abundant ges-
ticulation 20 well together. He is always a.
greeable and gentlemanly, firm and digni6ed.-
On the 1st day of July, 1921, he entered the
Military Academy at West Point, whence he
graduated July /, 1926, taking high position 10
large class, composed of such men as Alexan-
der Dallas Bache, Col. Benjamin Huger, Colonel
Francis Taylor, Col. Charles F. Smith, and 9TH
ers, who have been distinguished as well in civ
il life as n the line of their profession.
July Z, 1888, he became Assistant Adjutant
General, with the rank of Captain, which he re-
linquished subsequently to being promoted to q
Captaincy in bis regiment, October, 1S41. In
March, 1847, he was with the 3rd regiment Of
part in the siege of Vera Cruz-being one of the
officers to whom was entrusted, by General
Bankhead, the command of the batteries.
The duty he performed with signal skill and
gallantry, and be continued with the army until
its triumphant entry into the city of Mexico, In
September following. During the operations in
the valley of Mexico, he was attached to the
brigade of General Garland, which formed Q
part of General Worth's division. In the at
tack on Ell Molino del Rey, ON the 8th of Sep
tember, where be was wounded very severely,
his conduct was the theme of especial praise Oh
the part of his superior officers.
His first commission was that of brevet Sec
|ond Lieutenant of the Second Artillery, July /,
1925, and he was subsequently promoted Second
Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment dating from the
same day. From May to October, 1882, he was
acting Inspector General Of the Illinois Volun-
teers in the Black Hawk war; and it is here
worthy of note that our President, Mr.. Lincoln,
was one Of the captains of those troops.
) In June, 1888, he was promoted 1st Lieuten
ant, and between 1885 and 1887 was Assistant
Instructor and Inspector of the United States
Military Academy, and in 1888 he became Aid
de-Camp to General Scott, and in the following
year published sInstructions for Field Artillery,
Horse aud Foot, arranged for the Service of the
United States" which has been highly approved
of. For gallantry and successful conduct in the
war against the Florida Indians, lie received the
breset of Captain, bearing date April I'd, 1888.
Capt Burke, his immediate commander, In
his despatch OF Sept. 3, says :-sCapt. Robert
Anderson (acting field otficer) behaved with
great heroism on this occasion. Even after re-
ceiving painful wound, he continued at the
head of the column, regardless of pain and self
preservation, and setting handsome example to
his men of coolHess, energy and courage"
p General Garland speaks of him as being, with
s'some few Others the very first to enter the
strong position Of Ell Molino," and adds that
"Brevet Major Buchanan, Fourth Infantry,
Capt. Anderson, Third Artillery, and Lieut..
Sedgwick, Second Artillery, appear to have
been 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 General
Worth, who particularly directed the attention
of the Commander rim chief to the part he had
taken in the action. s.For gallant and meritori-
ous conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey" he
was promoted to the brevet rank of Major da-
ting from September 9Th, 1847. October 9th,
1857, be was promoted to the position of Ma
jor of the First Artillery, which he now holds.
This is certainly good record for a soldier,
and proves that jadicious selection was made
of the commander who is to defend the govern
ment forts and property at Charleston. The
last services of Major Anderson, previous to his
ia king command of Fort Moultrie, was MEM
Der of the commission ordered last summer by
Congress to inquire into the manner of instruc-
ton at the West Point Military Academy. The
labors of that commission have already been
laid before Congress.