The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-14
sketch OF the Life OF the late Gen.
Mitchell.

Ohio. He became cadet at West Point
in the year of 1926, and graduated on the
3Oth day of June, 1929, standing No. 10
in a class of forty-six, among whom were
ROBERT E. LEE and JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,
both generals in the rebel service. On
the 1st day of July, 1929, he was promot-
ed to a brevet second ieutenancy in the
Second United States artillery, and during
the same day received his full commission
for that rank. On the SOth day of August,
1929, he was appointed Acting Assistant
Professor of Mathematics at the Military
Academy of West Point, which position he
retained until the 2Sth of August, 1882.
He resigned his military rank on the SOth
day of September, 1882. He then begun
the study of the law, and practised as
cousellor at law in the city of Cincinnati,
Ohio, from 1882 to 1884. He next became
a Professor of Mathematics, Philosophy
and Astronomy, at the Cincinnati College,
in Ohio, which position he held for ten
years-viz: from 1884 to 1914. During
that time-viz: from 1886 to 1S37-he
was the Chief Engineer on the Little Mia
mi Railroad. and in 1871 was appointed
member of the Board of Visitors to the
Military Academy at West Point. He
became the founder and director of the
Observatory at Cincinnati in 1915, and
retained the latter position for several
years, during the time he edited and pub
lished noted astronomical journal entl-
tied the .SiaeriM Messenger. From 1917
to 1S4S he held the position OF Adjutant
General of the State of Ohio, and in 1913
was appointed the Chief Engineer OF the
Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, which posi-
ton he held for some. length of time.
During all these years he resided in the
city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Since then he was some years connected
with the Dudley Observatory at Albany as
director, which position he held when, on
the occasion of the grand Union Meeting
at Union square, New York, he made his
noted speech that was rendered so remark
able for its fiery eloquence and strong de-
votion to the Union. In was in this
speech that he said:
owe allegiance to no particular State, and
never did. and. God helping me- l never will.
/ owe allegiance to the Government OF the
United States A poor boy. working my way
with my own hands, at the age oftwelve turned
out to take care of myself as best could, and
beginning by earning but four dollars per
month I worked my way onward until the
glorious government of the United States gave
me chance at the Military Academy at West
Point. There landed with my knapsack on
my back, and, l tell you Gods truth. just
quarter of dollar in my pocket. There l
swore allegiance to the government of the
United States. did not ALLURE the love Of my
own State. nor of my adopted State, but high
above that was proudly triumphant and pre-
dominant my love for our common country.
His speech was continued with fervor
that held his hearers enthralled, and amid
his remarks the following words also fell
from his lips:
When the rebels come to their senses we will
receive them with open arms bat until that
time, while they are trailing our glorious BAN
ner in the dust, when they scorn 1t, condemn
it. curse it, and trample it under foot, L must
smite and in Gods name l will smite, and as
long as | have strength | will do 1t. *
am ready. God help me, to do my duty. l am
ready to fight in the ranks or out of the ranks.
Having been educated in the Academy, having
been in the army several years. having served
as a commander Ola volunteer company Tor ten
years, and having served as an adjutant general,
| feel am ready for something. l only ask to
be permitted to act; and. in Gods name, give
me something to do.
z. The rush to arms had commenced, and,
on the 9th of August, 1861, ORMsBY III.
Mitchell was commissioned Brigadier
General of Volunteers. The honor of his
appointment was conferred on the State of
New York. lie was then ordered to report
to the commander of the new Department
of the Ohio, which embraced his native
State. Many of the loyal Kentuckians
rushed to his standard, and we soon find
him in command of brigade, next a
division, and next column of General
BUETLs forces. He had previously been
under the commands of Generals AMBER
son and SHERMAN, in that department The
dash with which he made his brilliant entry
into the rebel works at Bowling Green has
not yet been forgotten, and circumstances,
more than himself, had prevented him from
coming more prominently before the public
ere that event. After the occupation of
Nashville, he moved down the railroad
leading from that city to Chattanooga,
where he was doubtless expected; but
suddenly, and without any previous notice
of bis movements, we find his force to have
turned on to branch line to Fayetteville,
and, by grand forced march across the
country, he turned up in possession OF
point of their main Southern trunk line OF
railroad-the rebels principal route OF
communication-mi midway between their
two principal points of occupation at Chat-
tanoOga and Corinth. Here he seized
IL h%