The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-03
Sketch OF Major General Edwin
". Sumner.

v. sumner
Major General EDWIN V. SUMNER, q. S.
A., whose death is announced in our tele-
graphic dispatches, was native of Bos-
ton, Massachusetts,. He entered the army
in the year 1919, and has been upon con-
slant duty ever since. He served with
distinction in the Mexican campaign, in
SCOTS line and was severely wounded in
the battle of Cerro Gordo. In that cam
paign he was Major of the Second regi-
ment Of dragons, and led the charge at
the bridge of Medolin, near Vera Cruz, in
which regiment of lancers was broken
and put to flight.
For his gallant conduct while command
ing the Mounted Rifles in the assault at
Cerro Gordo, he was breveted Lieutenant
Colonel and placed in command of all the
cavalry engaged at Moline del Rey, where
the most murderous fight in the Mexican
war took place. He there held in check
body of five thousand lancers which threat
ened to overwhelm the left of the Ameri-
can force, and thus changed the fortune of
the day. In this action Lieutenant Colo
mel SUMNER was under continuous and de-
structive fire, but maintained his position
although his horse was shot under him.
For his gallant conduct on that occasion he
was made Brevet Colonel
Up to the Mexican war General SUMNER
was continually on service ON the extreme
Western frontier in the Indian country. His
great experience in Indian affairs led to his
selection as the most fitting officer in the
army to settle the differences between the
Government and the Cheyenne Indians.
His conduct on that occasion was charac-
teristicaly prompt and energetic, and the
Cheyennes were most etfectually subdued.
To this day that tribe remembers the equal
and retributive justice melted out to them.
From 1851 to 1853 the General was
Military Governor Of the Territory of New
Mexico, and during his occupation of that
position he was called upon by the public
exgency to exercise the functions of u
civil governor, in an interregnum occas-
toned by tie retirement of Governor CAL
houn, thus uniting in one person the i'm
p-rtant duties of a military occupation and
the administration OF executive routine.
His exhibition of executive ability was only
equaled by his military skill, and he re-
ceived the highest encOmiums from our
government for the able manner in which
he discharged the doubly arduous tasks
imposed upon him by his delicate position.
He brought order out of chaos in the Ter
ritory, and conferred the greatest possible
benefit upon the people there by his firm
and even-handed justice in his conjoined
military and civil capacity.
In 1855 and 1856 he commanded in
Kansas, and incurred the displeasure Of
JEFF DAVIS, then Secretary of War, who
} removed him because he would not allow
himself to be made the tool of that arch
traitor to his government. In 1858 he
was appointed Commander of the Depart
ment of the West, and remained in that
position for two and halt years. In 1861
he was selected and sent to California in
an urgent hurry to relieve General A. S.
JOHNSON in that department, in conse-
quence of the then existing politica
differences So quietly and expeditiousy
did General SUMNER manage this delicate
undertaking, that his departure from New
York was not known until some time after
the sailing of the steamer. His celebrity
of movement and jjudicious keeping of hi:
own counsel were of great Importance tx
the government at that time, since they
were instrumental in circumventing thu
Vaccinations of the subsequently rebel Gen
eral JOHNSTON. General SUMNER was or
dered, at his own request, from Cali
fornia for service in the East, ant
accompanied President LINCOLN on hi
journey to Washington to be inaugurated
and gave his best efforts for the preser
walton of order on that occasion. H'
was subsequently assigned to the com
of division in the Army of the Potomac
and more recently to the command of
corps d armee. How he acquitted him
self in this responsible position is vel
known to our readers, and need not b.
dwelt on at this time. He was latel
appointed to the command the Depart
ment Of the West, in place of Genera
CURTIS, and was on his way to St. Loui
to assume command when he was stricken
down by death, at the age of about sixty
five years.