The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-03-19

Bricadier General Fraucis w. Lander,
whose sudden death will take the coun-
tr7 by surprise, and evoke universal
feeling of regret, was native OF Massa-
chusetts, and in his thirty-elghth year
His earliest years were marked By love
of adventure, aud taste for the profes-
sion of arms. Although not a graduate
OF West Point, he was, undoubtedly, one
of the ablest military leaders of the pres
ent unfortunate struggle, aud was very
Cour de Lion on the battle field. lnuu-
merable instances have been related Of
his personal daring, amounting almost at
times to recklessness, and there are few
special correspondents who have not
chrouicIed instances of his mani y cour,
age. His name was first made prominent
in connection with an exploration for
wagon road to the Pacific some few years
since. At the breaking out of the pres
ent rebellion be was appointed by General
Mcclellan, then in Western Virginia, to
be member of his staff. The brilliant
exploit at Phillippi was mainly due to
/ himself aud Brigadier General B. Kelly.
! At Rich Mountain his worth again dis
/ PLAYED itself, in the valuable assistance
which he rendered to General Mcclellan.
Upon General McClellan's appointment
/ to the command Of the army OF the Poto-
mac, General Lander accompanied him,
aud proved a valuable auxiliary in reor-
ganizing the demoralized and dispirited
forces. So highly was he esteemed that
the Government shortly after despatched
! him upon secret service, which he per
formed with credit to his own sagacity,
and to the entire satisfaction of the Pres
ident. Upon his return from his foreign
mission be was placed in command Of a
brigade in Gen Banks division, and at
the battle of Edwards Ferry, on the 2lst
of October, he was for the first time
wounded; being shot in the leg while
CALAMITY cheering forward his men. The
wound was of such serious character
that he was compelled, although reluc-
tantly, to relinquish his command for sew
eral weeks. About three months since
he was appointed commander of our forces
at Romuey, Va On the approach Of the
rebel General Jackson, be was forced TO
Eevacuate that position, to prevent himself
from being oulfanked-a movement ex-
trcmely distasteful to himself, and only
made ac the iDsta2co of his commander
10 chief. 1t was but a few days since
that we chronicled his dashing exploit at
/ Bloomery Gap. Having heard that a
rebel camp was at that place, he marched
distance of thirty-two miles with his
four thousand men, and succeeded in sur
prsing it completely. By this coup be
succeeded in capturing noless than seven
teen commissioned officers and forty-fTe
privates, losing bat two men. However,
the wound received at Edwards Ferry
was still painful, and excited the alarm Of
4 his frienus and medical advisers. Gen
! Lander was a flushed scholar, and gen
tlelnan of fine literary tastes. His was
the true type Of the American soldier
Fear was an emotion of which his nature
was Incapable, and courage the strongest
impulse of his breast. His sphere was
the battlefield, and his pride the head Of
his column. No other man SO justly de-
served the compliment Of General Scott,
that be was Americas natural. born sol
der" The nation has few such soldiers
to immediate their lives on the altar of its
nationality. General Lander was married
less than three years since to Miss J. NJ.
Davenport, the distinguished tragedienue,
and most accomplished lady. Her loss
is the nations loss, and her grief Will be
shared BY the entire American people.
Gen Shields succeeds General Lander
in command.