The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-03-22

command thereof Here he busiiy engaged in pre-
venting the fitting prvateers for the rebel SERVICE
md exercised vigilance that completely defeated the OBJ
3cts Of the rebels that quarter Having succeeded
this he wished active field OF operation and ap.
piled to the President who called him Washington
RETURN FROM cALIFoRSA-AS INCIDENT
Gen. Sumner returned to the East from California by
steamer, and on his way met with an incident which
showed his strength OF purpose and decision Of action
ABOUT this time the enemies the government of tho
United states were very bold and outspoken during
eho voyage VIM. N. Gwin, who was once United
States Senator from California expressed his sentiments
against the present government in the most unms-
aakabc terms. In this view Gwin was borne
out by Calhoun Benhan. General Sumner, as a
representative OF the United states, considering
such language reasonable, ordered the arrest Of
oth OF these their arrival Panama. and they
were brought TO this city prisoners The caused
agreat deal Of trouble the time and the had
released but subsequent events have proved that
ra Sumner was right as Gwin has since turned up at
Richmond, rebel in company with rebels.
HI OBTAINED INFORMANT UNDER MCCLELLAN.
General Sumner, upon his return from California was
at placed in command OF Eighth division Of Gene
raj hcCieilans Army Of the Potomac assigned to the
west bank OF the Potomac, below Alexandria, and TO
ettute his command twelve regiments Of infantry with
corresponding strength OF artillery cavalry
rawn from the reserved force upon the Maryland side
hs river At this time General Mcclellan had organized
= splendid army from mob Of undscirned recruits
before Washington, which forco during the winter
~ 1852. was brought to degree Of perfection in mill
eary discipline that made the wonder Of the world.
Wa whis In command Of this division that General Sum
1cr net with accident which bat for his fine con-
stitutiou would have done him serious injury, and
would seriously have shaken many a younger man.
20 SUCH IN active man his confinement very gall
ing and what troubled the old hero the time much
~ his bruises was that he should have been thrown
From his Horse The horse stepped into deep hole and
N recovering himself jumped suddenly to side,
throwing the General and stepping him. Fortunately
no boncs were broken but he was fearfuily bruised
HE DECAxK CORPS COMMANDER.
When the Army Of the Potomac began 10 move from
before Washington II organized into five army corps
ana General Sumner (stI brisader gcnera was placed
chat Of marshal Of France Lieutenant general Of the
British army. At the head OF This corps he moved upon
Manassas and thence TO the peninsula
YoRxr0wN, WILLIAMSBURG AID FAIR oAKs--A BREvEr
Al Yorktown he held an important position,
mandcr OF wing of McCellans army that beseg
ang that fortified town. After the evacuation or that
place tho rebels pursued up the peninsula the
battle OF Williamsburg the famous Irish Brigade Sum
Ders corps earned part OF its large wreath Of aures and
evera regular officers under his command gained honor.
abIe brcvets During the further pursuit his command
noted bravely until at the battle Of Fair Oaks part OF
his command performed such deeds OF vsior that he
awarded brevct major gencrasnp Of the regular army
70 date from Nav 81, 1862
DAYS.
During the days contests General Summers corps
won distinction for merit, gaiantry and endurance
many of MS officers obtaining breyets for mcritorious
services and gaantry in the battles Of Peach Orchard
Savage Station Aliens Field White Oak swamp Glen
dale, Malvern Hill, &c. During this time the subject OF
our sketch twiceslightly wounded; but still he
manned his post and until the last decisive battle
was fought did he seek 10 obtain what might be called
rest from his labors. Al the first two engagements
he was tho principal commander OF the field. This brings
down TO the LIST o. July, 1862.
uNoER GsnERAL popB-NAJoR GENERAL or VOLUNTEERS
After General Pope fell back from the Rappahannock
from before the advancing Of the rebel General
1es General Summers corps, with the others formerly
under General Mcclellan, added 10 the Army Of vr
gina, and General Sumner performed his part with his
usual vgor The extra Congressional session OF 1862
Hrmed tho Presidents nomination General Sumner 10
major generalship Of volunteers, with commission
dating from July 4, 1892.
! AxrIErAN
Ths whole Of the defeated army under Genera, Pope
hing been reorganized by General Mcclellan ths march
The battle Of South Mountain September H. 1862 part
General Summers force was engaged. But at Antetam,
September II, General Gunner distinguished himself
rcbiy.
considerable portion Of the hard fighting Of the day
was done by tho troops under his command Before
coming the Geld OF action he. senior officer tho
odd, placed charge Of his aud General Mans
asids corps forming potion Of tho centre Of the main
army Sumner and Mansfield two veteran comma nders,
fought near tho same portion Of the neld whereof the
latter fell with mortal wound When General Hooker
who commanded the right, was wounded and his army
was falling back before victorious foe General Sumner
helped save the fortunes OF the day although at a
cost Of over five Thousand 1t said at the time
thaG General Sumner Of the prominent person
ages on the Geld. Though a veteran commander. the
weight Of years seemed TO rest lightly onhm tho vicss
tudes q campaign did rot inconvenience him, and be
the field apparently with all the vgor OF more
youthful generals General Sumner, accompanied by
his staff officers, in the hottest Of the fire. con
Quoted himself in a most comuiendable manner, and
succssded in raying many men who had become dis
organized.
ASiScIpEyT
story told OF the Sumner the battle or
Antietan His son, young Captain sumner, a youth OF
twenty one his stan. The old man calmly stood
amidst storm OF shot and Shells and turned to send him
through doubIy raging FIRE upon mission Of duty He
might his boy again; but his country claimed
his life and he looked upon his young brow he graspcd
his hand encrcied him his and fondly kissed
him. "Goodbye, Sammy Goodbye fathcr'--and the
youth mounting his horse rode gayy with the
He returned unframed, again his hand grasped
with cordial GLOW dye do, Sammyfp answered by
grasp Of equal affection The touching those
around.
FRIENDS AT Hoxr-How ESTEEMED mn
After the batteof Antetan, being somewhat war.worn,
he paid visi, to his family at Syracuse, " y to i'm.
prove his Impaired hcakh. Anxious TO do him all the
honor in their power, the Mayer, Common Council and
large number OF respectable citizens rendered him pub.
tic reception and dinner, which he, however declined in
she following brief note
syRAc-sE, n. Y, Oct. IL, 1862.
Mr.. MAYOR GENTLEMEN nf COUNCIL AND Con-.
-
have the 10 receive your invitation 10 public
reception and dinner. feel truly grateful and highly
honored by this mark Of your approbatonthe most
tifyng reward that receive from fellow cit
that .sxlI pafb In In ms IN