The New York herald., 1862-03-19

has been going on slowly ever since, bat was not
uotl the sth Of this month that the general om
the infantry last Said they were going 10 Gordon willie,
Rappahapnock, &c. Yesterday morning learned from
wsrrcntou: that they had many largo csnn.n there,
and were hoping that would venture hxs Far into
The interior. Four mics below Manassas wsc has large
nonrng mills. which the rebels in their rcrect omitted
10 burn. They rsturned Friday night N within two
miles az thorc but General Stonean bad ust occupied
the place in TO prevent H. General Mcdowell has
bcen avcrywhere very active and has f.ed his division
With confidence aud enthusiasm.
Sketch 90 General Edwin ". sumucr.
General Edwin " Suraor, who Uow ranks Com,
mapder Of tts nrst corps S'araee position analogous
to that or Marshal sf France, 10 native OF Boston,
MASS Ho entered the army in the year 1872 and has
been upon constant dety ever since. He served with
distinction in the Mexican campaign, in SCOTS lns and
severely wounded in the batc Of Cerro Gordo. Ia
that capaien he Major Of the Second regiment Of
dragons and led the charge at the bridge Of Nedsn,
Vera Cruz, in which regiment OF isncsrs bro
ken and put 70 fight. For his gallant conduct while
anding the Mounted Rifles in the assault Cerro
Gordo no was breve,ed Lieutenant Colonel and placed
in command Of oil the cavalry engaged At Molpo del
Rey, whsre the fights the Mexican
took place He hsi in check body OF fvo thou.
sand ancsrs which thrsstened 10 overwheo the le Of
tho American crce and thus changed the fortune OF the
DAY. IN this action Lieutenant Colonel Sunner was
under continuous and destructive hro but maiotaned
his position although mis- horse shot under him. For
his gallant conduct on that occasion he was made
Brevet Colonel. Up TO The Mexican General Sumner
continually service the extromc western from
tier in tbs Indian country. His great experiences IN In
dian affairs led TO his selection the muC htng officer
the army to settle the differences between the govern
raeut and tho Cheyenne lndiape His conduct that
occasion characteristicay prompt and energetic,
aid the Cbeyennes were most enectually subdned To
this day that trbo remembers tho equal and reributve
justoe msted out 70 them. From 1851 70 1853 the
General Military Governor Of the Territory
Of New Me.'co, and surng his occupation OF
that posonI he was called upon by the public exigcncy
TO the functoos OF civil governor 10 an inter-
regnum occssioned by tho retirement Of Governor Cal
houn thus uniting ia oue person the important dotes Of
military occupation and the administration or cxecu
tto routine His exhibition OF executive ability was
only cquaed by his military skill, and he received The
highest encomiums from cur government for the able
manner In which he discharged the douby arduous tasks
imposed upon him by his delicate position He brought
order out rof chaos in tho Territory, and confer.
rod tho greatest possible benefit upon the reo-
pie there by his firm and handed Justice
in his copjoned military and civ II capacity In 1865 and
1850 he commanded In Kansas, and incurred the dis
pleasure OF Jen Davis then Secretary Of War, who
moved him because he would not allow himself 70 be
made the tool OF that arch traitor 10 his government In
1853 he was appointed Commander Of the DEPARTMENT
OF tho West aud remained in that position two years
fornia IN an urgent hurry TO relieve General A.
8. johnston in that department, in oonseauepce
Of tho thcn existing political differences 50 quietly and
ernedously did General sumner manage this dejirate
that his departure from New York Was moi
known until some Time after the sailing Of the steamer
His CELEBRITY OF movement and judicious keeping Of his
counsel were o. great Importance TO the government
at that time sico they woe Instrumental in creumyeuf
ng the nncnatons OF the subs equenty reb. Gen John
ston. General Snnner was ordered at his request
from California for service in the Fast, and rd
hin assigned to tho command tf division ln tho Army
Of nc poomac and mc,e Iseen,y N command Of q ps
uaTmft.