New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-23
Den.h Of yInjor.GcneraI GUNNER.
CHARLES q. CORNELL,
X. h. SANFORD.

Dea,i, OF Mnior.GcnernI summer.
The death OF Major General EDWIN VosE SUMNER
took place gt the residence OF his son'in-law IN
Syracuse on Saturday morning, March u, of con-
pestion of the lungs His illness was but Of few
days' DURATION and although he had reached an Id
vanccd period Of life, being in his sixty seventh year
az the time of his death, his vigorous frame and
active habits ind Gated much longer date TO his
efficient military services.
General Sumner was born in Boston in 1925, and
at an early age exhibited decided taste for the
profession of arms. Unlike the most prominent,
olcers in the regular army of his standing he did
not receive his military education Il, the Weut Point
Academy; but after pursuing the usual studies III
the beet schools Of Boston and ia vicinity, he re-
ceiyed tire appointment Of Second Lieutenant IN the
III Regiment Of U. s. Infantry, in 1919. lie be-
came a member Of the stah OF Major General
Brown and remained in that regiment until 1888
showing distinguished conduct and gallantry IN the
campagns against Black Hawk. He contIrued In
service on the Indian frontier with the exception OF
limited period during which be commanded the
school Of cavalry practice in Carlisle, Peun., until
the outbreak Of the Mexican war, having in the
mean time received the commission OF Captain IN
the "a Re neni OF Dragons raised by GEE Jack.
son. In June, 1910, he was promoted to the rank Of
Major, and placed by General Scott in command Of
the mounted rifles. At the battle Of Cerro Gordo.
April u, lSi7, no led a decisive cavalry charge,
punping into the thickest Of the tight and escaping
with severe wound. For his disting uished service.
on ,hs occasion, lie received toe brevet Of Iieu,en-
ant-Co lie commanded tbs corps do reserve
at the battles Of Contreras aud Churubasco, and
i IL IL hal h.h Ia.
check large force OF Mexican laDcers who threat
ened the left flank of the American army. His
courage and ability in this battle gained for him the
Lrevet Of Colonel, and in July, 1918, be was COM
ussioned as Lieutenant oonel Of the Is, Regiment
OF Dragons. At the expiration Of the war with
Mexico, from which he brough, Il succession Of the
most brilliant honors that could crafty the pride
of soldier, hs was placed in command OF tho De
partment Of New Mexico, where, on the with.
drawal Of Gov. Calhoun in 1851, he was the only
representative Of the United States Government. In
1854 be visited Europe important oica Business,
and the following year was promoted to 10 Colonel
OF the lst Regiment Of Cavalry. While in COM
mand at Fort Leavenworth. KANSAS, in 1876, bis
conduct in the disturbances between tho fro-Slsvery
men and the FreeSoilcrs brought upon him the dis
pleasure Of Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War
who, true TO his instincts in hostility 70 freedom,
summarily removed him from tho post Ii July,
1857, hs commanded an expedition for Tho punish
ment Of the Cheyenne Indians, and defeated thsu
in al engagement on branch Of the Karsas River.'
Tho following year he was appointed 70 the COM
mand OF the Depar ment Of the West He was So
ectsd by Gen. Scott TO accompany President Lincoln
from his homo in Springfield to Washington, pro-
yols to bis inauguration in 1861, and on March 10
was appointed BrgaiierGeneral N tile regular
army, in place Of the tsai,or Gen. Twiggs. He was
then ordered to the command Of the Department Of
tbs Pacific, bat, owing TO his urgent desire to take
part in the operations Of the field, no was recalled
from the position and in March, 1862, was appointed
conInas der OF the First Army Corps IN the Army VI
the Potomac. He commanded tia left wing at tho
siege OF Yorktown aud was conspicuous for his
CLERGY and zeal in the Chickshominy campaign,
during which lie was twice wounded. His gallant
services before Richmond were rewarded with the
appointment of Najor-Generalo Volunteers, dating
from July 4, and Brevet Major General in the regu
lar army dating from May 81 Ga the reOrganza-
ton Of the army in yiiguis, he was appointed
TO the command OF the Second Corp, and with
that bo Of troops was engaged III the battle of
Antetam. lie was subseq uently transferred to the
command Of the right grand division OF the Army OF
the Potomac and after tho battle OF Fredericksburg,
Dec. 49, 1862, on the accession Of Gen. Hooker az
General.in-C Chief, he was appointed TO the Depart
ment Of the Southwest, and w4,s abont to assume
the command when he WAS attacked by the illncss
which terminated his life.
!, Gen. Sumner soldier by nature, brave al
most TO rashness, with less strategy than enterprise
and resolution, u favorite with bis men, ardenIly Do
voted TO the cause of his country aud n sIrenuol'
advocate Of the establishment OF peace by the vigorous
prosecution Of tic war.