The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-04
Resignation or Lieut.. Col. VIM. Hartlee
OF Georgia.


We learn that Lieutenant Colonel Vim. J. Hardee of
the United States Army, officer distinguished in tb
military service, and as author, and FOR years
past Comm andant Of tho Cadets at West Point has re
sgnedhs commission.
lresuming that IL will be Of interest TO reaiers
know something Of the military history Of this distn
guished Georgiannex TO the veteran General Twiggs
the highest officer in rank from Georgia now in the fcde
raj army, and upon whom the eye of his State is now
turned with more than usual ntereswc have collected
facts in relation to his services which present
below.
Colonel Hardee entered the Military Academy at West
Point, cadet in 1884, and after four years of app
cation to his studies graduated with honor, and was
gazetted TO the Second regiment of dragons a
Second Lieutenant. Joining his regiment in Florida,
hc remained on duty with it for two years,
after which time he sent by tho Secretary of War
the cavalry school Of San MUIR about eighty leagues from
Paris, where for eighteen months he regularly at
tached to the cavalry department of the French army
Apply ing himself with great assduity he completed his
studies and Nlurned TO the United States thorough
cavalry officer and bringing with him letter Of atter
ing recommendation from Marshal Oudinot to the Sccro
tary Of War.
Reioning bis regiment now stationed the Western
frontier, he actively employed In defending the ad
vanced settlements from Indian depredations until he
in the exciting of the Mexican campaign. He
crossed tho Rio Grande with General having pre-
vously attained the rank Of captain and his company
the FIRST to engage the enemy This engagement
occurred at place called Currcitos, where after vanly
endeavoring with his gallant little band to cut his way
through the Mexican ranks, he overwhelmed by
peror numbers and taken prisoner. He remained
captive for several months, when he exchanged in
time to take part in the bloody action Of Monterey.
Colonel Hardee continued with General Taylor for
time, when he detached, with n large part of
that ocers force to join the division Of General Scott
at yora Cruz.
Ills next interview with the enemy was in hotly con
tested skrmsh Vera Cruz, in which the Americans
victorious and he received the brevet Of Major for
his gallantry. He accompanied Scott in his trumpha
march from Vera Cruz TO the city Of Mexico, and took
active part in all those grand victories which marked
the progress OF the American army between those two
points. At tho close Of the the brevet OF Lieu
tenant Colonel bestowed on him a special recog
milton Of his bravery and usefulness in the stirring
fict Of Churubusco
During the administration Of President Pierce Congress
created four regiments and he promoted to the
rank OF Major in of them. At this time he de
tailed by the then Secretary of war-Colone Jefferson
navsto prepare system of tactics better adapted to
the OF the infantry Of the army than the antique and
slow motoned method Of Scott After bringing his abors
to a successful issue, he ordered to West Point
Commandant Of Cadets fer the purpose Of putting his
system into practical operation The young soldiers, 1t is
said became very partial to this now drill, and II has
been generally introduced into the army and adopted
by the volunteer companies Of the country to such
extent, that in these exciting times "Iardees Tactics
have become like "nousehold words" He has but
Gently been promoted to the Lieutenant Colouccy Of the
First regiment of cavalry As tactican Colonel Hardec
has no superior in the United States Army.