Daily national Democrat., 1861-02-05
Sketch of Major Anderson.

MAJOR Robert Anderson whose name has
now become familiar rs household word in
connection with the defences of Charleston
was born in Kentucky in September 1909
ana Is now, therefore, in his fiftv-sixth year
IN personal appearance he is about five feet
hlne inches in height his figure is we'll set
and soldierly; his harris thin and turning to
IRON gray; his complexion swarthv; his eve
DARK and Intelligent; his nose prominent and
well formed. a stranger would read in his
air and appearance determination and an ex-
action OF what was due to him. In intercourse
ne Is very courteous and his rich voice and
abundant gesticulations 90 well together
lie Is always agreeable and gentlemanly firm
and digniiied. On the lst day of July, 1921,
he entered the Military Academy at West
Point, whence he graduated July /, 1925 -
taxing high position in large class com
posed of such men as Alexander Dallas, Bache,
Col. Benjamin Huger, 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 com
mission was that of brevet Second Lieuten-
ant OF the Second Artillery, July l, 1925, and
he was subsequently, promoted Second Lieu
tenand in the Third Regiment, dating from
the same day. From May to October, 1882
he was acting Inspector General of the lii
nols Volunteers, in the Black Hawk war
and it is here worthy of note that the Presi-
dent elect, Mr.. Lincoln, was one of the cap
tans OF those troops In June, 1888 lie was
promoted First Lieutenant, and between
1885 and 1887 was Assistant Instructor and
Inspector of the United States Military
Academy.
In 1888 he became Abide Camp to Major
General Scott, and in the following wear pub
lished INSTRUCTION for Field ARTILLERY, Horse
and Foot, arranged for the service of the
United States" which has been highly ap-
proved of. For gallantry and successful con
duct against the Florida Indians, he received
the brevet of Captain; bearing date April 2,
1888. lie became Assistant Adiutant Gen
era, with the rank of Captain, which he re-
linquished subsequently to being promoted
to captaincy in his regiment, October, 1871.
In March, 1917, he was with with the third
regiment of artillery in the army of General
Scott, and took part in the siege of V era
Cruz-being one ofthe officers to whom was
entrusted, 10y General Bankhead, the COM
mand Of the batteries. This duty he per
formed with signal skill and galantry, and
he continued with the army until its triumph
ant entry into the city of Mexico, in Septem-
ter following Dnring the operations in the
brigade of General Garland, which formed a
part of General w orth's division. In the at
tack on Ell Molina del Rev. on the Sth of
September, where he was wounded very So
Yerely, his conduct was the theme of especial
praise on the part of his superior officers
Captain Burke, his immediate commander,i in
his despatch of September 9th says Capt.
Robert Anderson lacting field offlcer) behav-
ed with great heroism on this occasion. Even
after receiving painful wound, he contnu-
ed at the head of the column, regardless of
pain and self-preservation, and setting a
handsome example to his men, of coolness,
energy and courage" General Garland
speaks Of him as being, with "some few 9TH
ers, the very first to enter the strong position
of Ell Molino," and adds that "Brevet Major
Buchanan, Fourth Infantry; Captain Ander-
son. Third Artillery and Leutanant Sedg-
wick, 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 oc-
casion, we have that of General Worth, who
particularly directed the attention of the
Commander in-Chief to the part he had taken
in the action. "For gallant and meritorious
conduct in the battle of Molina del Rev" he
was promoted to the brevet rank of Major,
dating from September Sth, lS47. October
5th 1857, he was promoted 10 the position
of Major of Major Of the First Artillery,
which he now ho!ds
The last service of Major Anderson, pre-
vous to his taking command of Fort Moul-
trie, was as member of the commission or
dered last summer by Congress to inquire
into the manner of instruction at the West
Point Military Academy. The lal ors ofthat
commission have already been laid before
Congress.