The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-04
Maj. Robert Anders on, U. 8. A.

This gallant and distinguished officer,
who now occupies the important and trying
position of commander of Fort Moultrie, is
native of Kentucky, and was born Sep
TENDER, 1905. On the first day of July,
1921, he entered the Military Academy at
west Point whence he graduated July l,
1873, taking high position in q large class
composed OF such men as Alexander Dali
las Bache, Col. Benjamin Huger, Col. Fran
els Taylor, Col. Charles f. Smith, and 9TH
ers, who have been distinguished as well in
civil life as iD the line OF their profession
His first commission was that of Brevet
Second Lieutenant OF the Second Artillery,
July l, 1925, and he was subsequently, pro-
NOTED Second Lieutenant in the Third Reei-
ment, dating from the same day.
From May to October, 1882, he 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. In June, 1888, be was
promoted First Lieutenant, and between
1888 and 1887 was Assistant Instructor
and Inspector at The United States Military
Academy. In 1888 he became Aid de-
Camp to Major Genarai Scott; and in the
following year published obstruction tor
Field Artillery, horse and foot, arranged
for the service of the United States. "For
gallantry and successful conduct iu the war
against the Florida Indians" he received
the brevet of Captain, bearing date April
2, 1888. July 1888, be became Assis>
tant Adjutant General, with the rank of
Captain, which he relinquished subsequent>
ly to being promoted to Captaincy in
his regiment, October, 184l.
In March, l847, he was with the Third
Regiment of Artillery, in the army of Gen.
Scott, and took part in the siege of Vera
Cruz-beiDg one of the officers to whom
was entrusted, by General Bankhead, the
command of the batteries. This duty be
performed with signal skill and gallantry,
and he continued with the army until its
triumphal entry into the city of Mexico, in
September following. During the opera.
tons in the valley OF Mexico be was at
tached to the brigade of General Garland,
which formed a part of General Worth's
division. In the attack on Ell Moline del
Rey, on the 9Th of September. where he
was wounded very severely, his conduct
was the theme of especial praise on the part
of his superior officers. Captain Burke his
immediate commander, in his dispatch of
September 9, says Captain Robert
Anderson (actiDg field ofiicer) behaved with
great heroism on this occasion. Even
after receiving severe and painful wound
he cOntineud at the head OF the column, re-
gardless of pain and self-preservation, and
setting handsome example to his men, of
GOODNESS, energy, and courage" General
Garland speaks of him as being, with some
few Others, the very first to enter the strong
position of I'll Molino," and adds that "Bre.
vet Major Buchanan, Fourth Infantry, Cap
tain Anderson, Third Artillery, and Lieut.
Ledgwick, Second Artillery, appear to
have been particularly distinguished for
their gallant defence of the captured works."
In addition to this testimony to his bear
ing on that occasion, we have that of Gen.
Worth, who particularly directed the atten-
ton OF the Commander Chief to the part
he had taken in the action. "For gallant
and meritorious conduct in the battle OF
Molino del Rey," he was promoted to the
rank of Brevet Major, dating from Septem-
Der 8, l847. October 5, 1857, be was pro-
noted to the position Of Major of the First
Artillery, which he now holds.