Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-23


rfeman. He died soldier would choose TO die with
truth at his heart and sweet tranquil smile upon bis
face Alas great nation lew soDs like true
John Sedgwick. o. gl
Like him fell too at the very head of their corps the
whtehared Mansfield after career of usefulness illus
traed by bis skill and cool courage at Fort Brown MOI
erey and Buena Vista John f. Reynolds and Reno both
in the full vgor of manhood and intellect men who have
proved their ability and cvalry in many held in Mexico
country had much hope had it pleased God to spare
their lives Lyon fell in the prime OF life, leading his t-
tie army against superior numbers his brief career afford
Ing brilliant example OF patriotism and ability The I'M
petuous Kearney aud such brave generals Richardson
Williams Terrill, Stevens Weed, Saunders and Hayes
lost their lives while in the midst of career Of usefulness
Young Bayard, 30 like the most renowned OF his name
that knight above fear and above reproach cut of
too early for his country
No regiments can spare such gallant, devoted and able
commanders as Rossell Davis Cove Simmons, Bailey,
Putnam, and Kinsburyal of whom fell in tho thckes of
the combat Of them veterans others young IN ser
yicea good aud well beloved Our batteries have
partially paid their terrible debt to fate in the loss OF such
commanders Greble he first to fall in the war Ben
son, Hazard Smead Dr. Hart Hazitt, and those gal
liant boys Kirby, Woodruff, Dimick, and Gushing, while
the engineers lament the promising and gallant Wagner
and Cross Beneath remote bsttle-ds rect the copses
OF the heroic McRea, Reed Bascom, Stone, Sweet ana
many other company officers.
Besides these hosts of veteran segeants coporas
and private who had fought under Scott In Mexico or
commended many cOmbats with the the lar West
and Florida aud MINGLED with them young soldiers who.
courageous steady and true mel death unnchngy with
cut the hope of personal glory These in their more
humble spheres served their country with much latin
aud honor the ustrOus generals and all OF them
with perfect singenes of heart Although their namea
may not live in history, their actions loyalty, aud cour
age will. Their memories will long DO preserved 10
their regiments for there were many OF them who me-
rted proud distinction that accorded to the fret
grenader Of France to that other Russian soldier who
gave hia life for his comrades.
But there another class Of who have gone from
us since this commenced, whose fate not TO die Ia
ba tie, but who the less entitled to be mentioned
here. There Sumner, brave honest chivalrous
veteran of more than half century's service who had
confronted death lnfnchingly OF battle fields,
had shown his gray head and cheerful where death
most reveled who more than once told me that ne be-
eved aud hoped that his long career would end amid
the din Of battle He dies ut home from the effects OF
the hardshps of bis campaigns. That most excelent
soldier, the elegant q. +. Smith, whom many OF Us
remember TO have often on this plaln with his
superb bearing escaped the bullet TO fail victim to the
disease which has deprived the army Of of its best
SOLDIERS John Butod cool and intrepid; Mitchell eminent
in sciences Plummer, Palmer and many other "fcers and
ot tn r lives by sickness contracted in hed But
close this long lis. Of glorious martyrs without pay
sacred debt of official duty aud personal friendship
There dead soldier who possessed peculiar claims
upon my love and gratitude h ardent patriot
urselh man, true soldier, the beau ideal OF staff I'll
csr-he my aid de imp Colonel Coburn. There ls
esseu to be drawn from the death and services OF these
glorious which should read for the present and
future benefit At the nation
War in these modern days is science and it should now
be clear to the JUDGED that for the organization and
command Of and the high combination of strategy,
perfect familiarity with the theoretical science of is
requisite To count when the plans or
cuon of campaigns entrusted to men who have no
knowledge of idle to expect the legal wisdom
of Story Kent from skilful physician.
Bnt what is the honorable and holy cause for which
these have laid down their lives and for which the
ton still demands the sacrifice Of the precious blood of so
many Of her children.
Soon after the close Of the Revolutionary war, it was
found that the Conedeacy which had grown during that
contest fast falling to pieces from it's
weight The central power too weak 1t could only
commend to the different States such measures seemed
best ard possessed real power to egsste because
it lacked the executive force TO compel obedience to its
laws The national credit and sefrespect had disappear
ed and it feared by the friends Of human liberty
the world that but another added to
the long st Of ruitless attempts at segovernment The
Uaon evidently upon the brink OF ruin and dissolution
when eighty years ago many of the wsest and most
patriotic Of the land met to seek remedy for the great
evils which threatened to destroy the great work of the
Revolution heir sessions long and often stormy;
for time the ssngune doubted the possibility OF
successful termination Of their abors But from amidst
the coDfc of sectional interests OF party prejudice snd Of
personal sehhpess the spirit OF wis ION aud of conciIa
ton length evoked the Constitution under which we have
lived so long 1t not formed 10 day; but was the
result OF patient labor Of lofty wisdom and of the purest
patriotism IL at last adopted by the people of all the
Sateslthough by some reuctanty-not as being exactly
what all but being the best possible under the cir
cumsances IL was accepted as giving us form govern
ment under which the nation might live happily and pros
per- long the people should continue to be Influenced
BY the sentiments which actusted those who formed
il and which would not be liable TO destruction from inter
Of the meries and calamtes which led to s adoption
Under this bene6ceDt Constitution the progress OF the
nation was unexampled in history. The rights and lber
tie, Of t, citizens we're secured at home and abroad vast
territories were escued from the control OF the and
the wild beast added to the domaD Of the Union snd
civilization The arts the sciences and commerce grew
space flag hoaed upon every sea, and we TOOK our
place among great nations OF the earth But under this
smooth surface Of prosperity upon which gded swift
y with all sails set before the summer breeze, dan
gerous reefs we're hidden which and then caused rip
Piles upon the surface aud INSIDE anxious the more careful
pilots Eated by the ship swept on-the crew not
needing the warnings they received 0gea OF the dangers
the beginning OF the voyage and blind to the hid
eous mae rom which gAped to receive aud destroy them
The sme elements OF discord, sectional preiudices n
teress institutions which had rendered the formation
of the institution dffcul, threatened than
10 destroy it, But for long the nation for
tunAte as TO possrss series ot political leaders who, to
the highest abilities united the spirit Of Cancellation
Nhch animated the founders Of the republic and thus for
many years the threatened evils averted Time aud
long continuance Of good fortune obterated the recol
lection Of the caamtes and wetchedness OF the years
preceding th adoption OF the Constitution Men forgot
conciiiat on, interests and mutual charity
Dad been tho foundation and be the support of
Governmrntas 10 inder the case with all Guyernments,
| ard all the relations of life. At length appeared
vita whom sectional aud personal pre- udces and interests
outw ghed all considerations for the general good. Ex
seized preteK BY equally extreme in the other,
for abandoning the pacific remedies aid protection afforded
by the Cons Sad seekng redress for possible future
evils Ia aud tie destruction 81 the Union.
Stripped all sopbistry and side Issues the irect
Of the itself to the honest patriotic czens
Of the korth, snpy this: Certain States rather
portion 81 tbe inhabitants Of certain states feared pro-