, 1862-10-16
DEATH OF GEN. 1. I. STEVENS.

Il IL
Personally known to'very many Of our citi.
ze1s, as Gen. Stevens was, the closing scene Of
his life cannot but be interesting to them. Feel
ing keenly the Teproach that attached to his
name in consequence Of his connection with the
Breckinr'dgr Convention, he proffered his SER
vices to his country in order as he told bis friends
to wipe out the stain. He has done so with his
life-blood. However great his faults, they have
all been fully atoned; and none should be base
enough now to attempt to cloud his memory by
q recurrence to them. We should now commend
his virtues, to which not few Of our readers
will cheerfully testify.
A correspondent Of the New York Tribune,
under date Of Washington, Sept 9Th, gives the
following particulars Of the death Of Gen. Stevens
at Chantilly:
The same hour that Gen. Stevens was killed
in battle, number Of prominent gentlemen filling
influential positions were in consultation 10 this
city, and in other parts Of the country, with a
view Of having him assigned tn the command Of
the Army Of Virginia Successive manifestations
Of incapacity during year Of war have induced
thinking men to cast about for Q leader. These
gentlemen had fixed upon Gen. Isaac ]. Stevens
as the man. His splendid conduct in the baths
Of Friday and Saturday had Just attracted atten.
ton TO him. Il was remembered that in pure
capacity be had always been first, having taken
the hOnors at West point with scarcely an effort.
and though old political enemies, these men re.
solved to ask that he be given aleading command
while they we're consulting he led on bis men
and ielL
The importance Of the engagement Of Monday
IL A. a. r.. Ca.
vens, has not been generally understood. The
truth is, Il was not mere episode, made note
worthy by the death Of two such leaders, but q
crisis, where nothing but decision and sacrifice
on the part of those leaders avAiled 70 prevent
disaster.
The army was retreating from Centrevillc.
The battle was fought against rebel force that
had penetrated Eve miles nearer Washington
than our rear, and was moving n strike upon
the flank. Gen. Stevens division. the advance Of
Reno's corps, was on the leit Of the road taken
BY the trains, and intercepted the enemy. He
saw that the rebels must be beaten back ct once,
or during the night they would stampede the
wagons. and probably 90 disconeert our retreat
that the last divisions would hll prey to their
main force. He decided 10 attack Immediately, At
the sane time sending back for supplies Hay.
ing made his dispositions. he led the attack on
dersl Soon meeting witheFing FIRE, and the
Color Sergeant, Sandy Campbell, gFizzled old
SeOtchlnan, being wounded, they hltered. One
Of the color guard took up the Gag, when the
General snatched Il from him. The wounded
Highlander 1t his keet cried, I" For Gods sake,
General, don't you take the cOloFs; they'll shoOl
you II yon dol" lhe answer was, "Give me
the eolorsi n they don't follow now, they never
viii" and be sprlng forward, crying. aWe y,
al HlghlandeFs; follow, HighIandeFs; forward,
nv Highlandersiv The HighlnndeFs did iollo~
their Scottish chief but while sweeping fnrward
. ball struck him On bis right temple He died
Instantly. An hour Afterwards, when taken up,
b. hands WeressilI cIenehed around the Tag
staff ....... W Y.
4 moment amer seisine The color, biz son,
Capt Hazard Stevens, fsll wounded, and cried
10 bis fath,F that be was hurt With but Z
glance back, that Roman hther said ~ can't
attend 70 you nov, Hazard Corporal Thomp-
The Language Ihsvs given q Gen. stsvsns
was laken down on The ield By . member Of bis
staff he has often remarked that IL L were bis
,ais 70 llll in battle, be hoped he would Be shot
through the temple and die Instantly.
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