, 1863-05-15
COLONEL HAsnnoUCK DAVIS.

Lieutenant Colonel Hasbrouck Davis,
Of the 18th Illinois Cavalry, appears
to have been the hero Of that part of
stoneman's expedition, which, lcay-
ing the main body to get back as they
could to Hooker's camp, set off for the
Peninsula and Gen. Dix's lines. That he
and the men with him escaped the dangers
that fringed the way, and got safely in
without the loss o. trooper is evidence
Of the daring as we'll US skill and
prudence Of the commander. Colonel
Davis is one Of the hardest riders and
stoutest fighters of the cavalry service
It is said By his men that no difficulties de-
ter and that no danger appa1ls him. He
goes where duty leads and where glory is
to be won.
It is sometimes curious to see low war
develops character. Take Col. DAVIS case
IS an example: The son Of Governor Davis
Of Massachusetts, he was carefully educa-
ted in this country, and his culture was
subsequently enlarged by years of study in
a German University. Afler leaving Held
elbe1g, he made an European tour, and re-
turned home so deeply imbued with Ger
man mysticism and Kantean transcenden-
talism, that choice Of profession was
difficulty not easily ovcrsome. After an
abo1tiye effort to avoid the fate to which
20 many American young men are
condemned, the intellect upon which
such training had been bestowed, was
turned to the Law We believe that
Chicago was the field in which he first
yentuted to appear in the Courts; and
while here, though frequently entrusted with
very important business which he managed
with tho ability that would have been cred
table to the most experienced members of
the Bar, his old love Of speculation
In tho broad circle OF metaphysical
and theological inquiry was so strong upon
him that Blackstone was sometimes neg
lected for Fichtc, and Chitty for the subtler
"pleadings' of Emanuel Kant Those
who knew him intimately have the most
exalted estimation Of his powers as {:
thinker; and overwhelmingly they are
feW-who have heard him discuss the high
themes to which his attention was often
directed, have never failed to praise the
crystalline clearness and almost mathe-
matical precision with which his
ideas were conveyed. Ills friends little
thought that behind all that philosophy
were the qualities that he las displayed
that when the emergency called for men
to lead, that this mystic, transcendcntalist,
scholar, thinker, would By an effort Of the
will, be converted into a trooper, hard rid
ing and fierce fighting, careless Of the seat,
attributes or destiny Of the souls Of his op-
ponents, but desirous only Of finding and
striking at their forfeited lives. 1t is one
Of the most curious personal histories Of
the war.
It is not to be supposed that with facul-
tics disciplined as his are, Col Davis,
after entering the service, was long IN ac-
quiring comprehensive knowledge Of the
duties Of lis place, and Of the science that
was to control and guide him while he led
soldiers life. He became soldier al
most at the beginning; and his men and
fellow officers, regardless Of rank, have not
disputed his fitness to lead. 1t was really
he who led the dash out of uarper's
Ferry just before it surrendered, where.
by the enemy lost what they most
coveted, horses and cavalry equip
mcnts; and with due Difference to
Col. Voss, it was lie to whom the most
brilliant feats Of the regiment are due.
Tail, bony, and with muscles that seem to
be Of iron, features strongly marked, and
eyes that tell Of the flame within, he is, as
he looks to be, capable Of that relentless
endurance that will not rest until the
enemy is overcome. If the war should
last until merit is the reason for quick pro
motion, Col. Davis will be heard from, MOI
as the leader Of squad, but rs the com
mander Of thousands-as the planner ani
doer Of feats that surpass in boldncss O
conception and brilliancy Of execution any
thing that has yet occurred.