Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-08-08
Colonel James Cameron.

HIS RaIluQb UiuC6E, WBO QiOd oe 49, So'-~
his regiment, the New YORK Seventy-ninth,
better known as the Caledonian or Cameron
regiment, on the 2lst ult., was born in May>
town, Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, and
at the time of his death was about 6O years
of age. When that fine corps reached Wash
ington they had no Colonel. Their ranks
were fall and their enthusiasm unbounded.
Learning that Col. Cameron was IN town.
they offered him the command, which, after
some hesitation, he accepted, and was duly
commissioned by the President.
The Cameron brothers have always been
conspicuous in the politics of Pennsy lvania.
Their parents were in straitened circumstan-
ces, and James, the youngest of the four
brothers, was, like them, thrown early upon
the world, and forced to lake care Of and ed
ucate himself. The qualities that enablad
their widowed mother to look after her chill
dren in youth have strengthened them in
their many contests with the world. Of the
two surviving brothers the eldest is William,
one of the noted capitalists of the State, res
ident IN Union county, and the next in years
the present Secretary of War.
James Cameron was married to the daugh-
ter of Mr.. Lehman, of Lancaster, more than
twenty years ago. Always identified with
the politics of Pennsylvania from the year
1882, be was, like bis brother Simon, the ed
itor of several leading newspapers. Both
were printers. He also acted as the superin-
tepdent of the Philadel phia and Columbia
Railroad, when that improvement was under
State management Col Cameron always
belonged to the Democratic party until with
in recent years, when his sympathies were
enlisted on the side of the straight Douglas
Democracy of Pennsylvania, with whom be
efficiently eo-operated until the nomination
of Mr. Lincoln, whose election he warmly
supported. He was man of singular un.
selfshEess of character. His kindness and
his charity were his prominent attributes
He had charm in his manner that attract
ed a stranger to him at once and in all his
life, it may be truly said that he was never
guilty of mean act. He was ever favor
| ite with the Irish citizens of Pennsylvania.
particularly with those who lived in and
about the town of Lancaster. Jnheriting
their social nature, and proud Of his connec-
! tion with them, b. was never so happy as in
company; and born in an cid German set
Element, he may be said to have been equal,
| ly favorite of the Germans. He was high
ly courageous. Whatever be might have
lacked in other respects, he made up by his
natural, instructive, and daring intrepidity.
More than twenty years ago, in contest
with a newspaper editor III town of Lancss-
| ter, while attempting to enter his Office, be
was shot down, and his conduct in what
threatened to be his deathbed, showed that
be could meet the dread destroyer without
fear. After having been elected Colonel OF
the Seventy-ninth, he took up his quarters
with the corps at Georgetown College, and
soon secured their confidence His brother,
the Secretary of War, took great interest in
ceptance of the command, on account of his
age, did all in his power to encourage him.
But ths natural vigor and intrepidity of Col.
| Cameron soon fitted him for the arduous du-
ties of his new position. In the first engage
ment be exhibited great GOODNESS and gallan-
try. The effect Of passing cannon ball
threw his horse upon his launches, when be
dismountei ard, with joke, said, +" think
had better be among the footmen." But,
in the bloody battle of Manassas, he expos
ed his person. and cheered his men at all
points. A short time previous to his death,
he met citizen of Lancaster, Col. Hestand.
! the editor of the Lancaster Examiner and
Herald and conversed with him freely, as
suring him that he intended to lead his reg
iment and to come out of the fight with hon.
or, if his life should pay the forfeit He then
disappeared; the order came from the COM
manding General directing the Seventy. ninth
to 90 forward" !" and in short time James
Cameron was numbered among the depart
ed He was stIu, k at the same moment by
two balls, one in the stomach and the other
in the head, Immediately after he mad called
out to bis command, :" Scots, follow me !"-
He expired almost without groan.- Phila-
delphia Pess.
| Cen McClallan to his TrOOpS.