The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-04-11
Death of General Summer.

Major General Sumner, whose death IS
announced today in despatch from SYRIA
cuse. was capable and earnest officer
who had served for forty -four years in the
army of the United States, Born in Bos-
ton in 1897, he came to this State at an
early age, entered the Military Academy
at West Point in 1916, and was graduated
in 1919, OF the age of twenty-five. Enter
inc the army as brevet second lieutenant,
he rose to the rank of captain in the First
regiment of Dragons in 1888, after four
teen wears of active service on the western
frontier In 1916 he was appointed major
of the Second Dragons, which regiment
was then in service in Mexico nnaNr Gen.-
scott. t,rsrr1ng NOM New Mexico to-
New Orleans by an order from Gen. Scott
assigning him to the command OF the
Mounted Rifles, then an Ineffective and
disorganizod corps, but afterward, through
his eYertions, one of the best in the sery-
ice. For his distinguished bravery at
Cerro Gordo, while III command of this
corps, Major Sumner was breveted ieuten-
ant colonel. At the battle of Molino del
Rey his gallantry was so conspicuous as to
obtain for him still further promotion,
and he was breveted rs colonel .-r.
In 1851, Colonel Sumner was appointed
military governor of the territory of New
Mexico, which post he occupied for two
years; in 1854 he was sent to Europe by
the war department on official business
and received marked attention from Napo.
leon; in 1856 he became military governor
Of Kansas, and IN 1858 was appointed
commander of the department Of the west.
AT the outbreak of the rebellion he took
an active part in the defense of the gov
eminent. Accompanying Mr.. Lincoln in
his journey from Springfield to Washing.
ton, he received the appointment of brig
adler general on the 18th of March, 1861.
He was Immediately sent to California to
snpersede the traitor Albert S. Johnston
in the command of the department of the
Pacific, and on his return to the east
arrested Senator Gwin as traitor, con-
veying him as prisoner across the Isthmus
of Panama in spite of the remonstrances
of the New Grenadian government. I'M
mediately entering upon active duty in
the army of the Potomac, Gen. Sumner
was appointed division commander, serv-
ing through the disastrous PenlnsuIar
campaign, and often saving the dSy for
our forces by his bravery and SKILL. On
the 31st of May, 1862, he was breveted
major general of volunteers, and on the
4th of July last was confirmed in that
rank by the United States senate. On the
14th of November last he WAS appointed
commander of the right grand division OF
the army OF the Potomac by General Burn
side, and took a very prominent part ID
the battle of Fredericksburg Upon the
acceptance of the resignation of General
Burnside, on the 25th of January, General
Sumner was also relieved of his command,
and has not since been in active service.
He had been assigned, however, 70 the
command of the department Of the west,
TO supersede General Curtis, and was ex-
pected to reach ST. Louis this week.
The long career of General Sumner, un-
stained by excesses or treason of any kind,
nloses suddenly, but his memory will be
warmly cherished by his comrades in the
field and the personal friends, who admired
his frank spirit and his undaunted bravery.
Long in command of the cavalry post at
Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, it was
touching to see with what enthusiasm he
was welcomed by the people OF tLat region
Of the time of the court-martial which was
held upon him at the instance of General
Harney. The charge against Gen. Sum-
ner then colonel) was that of sending
challenge to Harvey, but the offence was
not proved. The citizens of Carlisle
warmly espoused his cause during the
progress of the trial, serenading him at
his hotel, while they snubbed Gen. F1ar.
ney. During his career in the amy of
the Potomac, Gen. Sumner end,scared him.
self to his men, who bestow ed pet names
upon him, and whose Comforts he always
cared for. His deS:.In is loss to the coun-
try, which Leeds all the earnest and capa-
BILE Cheers who, like him, believe in hand
i