The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-11
Governor and Commander inChiee.
J. B. SIoNrHousE, Assistant Adjutant General.


J. B. S1oSEHorsE Assistant Adjutant General.
SKETCH OF GENERAL wADswoRTH.
Brigadier General James Samuel Wadsworth was borr
at Geneseo yhis State the 3oth day Of October
1907. He therefore In the ftyseventh year Of HE
age when he killed. He was the son Of James Wads'
worth, the earliest settlers Of Geneseo and who
died place In 1884, Under the OF his father
Who considered the early education Of youth prime
necessity the subject Of sketch gained his rudimen
tary tuition after which he sent to Harvard College,
thence TO Yale Collage where he completed bis studies
From both these institutions young wadsworth radu
ated with honors which began the study Of the
law 10 the Office Of lawyer in Albany. From this
Office be entered that Of the great statesman and
Daniel Webster and under hts tuition completed his
legal studies.
Mr. wadsworth at the age Of twenty.six admitted
TO the bar not Of following profes
sion for livelihood but for the purpose Of enabling him
manage the large estates Of his father, and which
qured the Of person whose inter-
eats were bound up with their prosperity few years
after Mr.. wadsworh began devote himself somewhat
to local politics, and known free soil democrat
but year 1856 no took strong with
publican party the State Of New York. and his name
mentioned by that party during that years nomina
tion and also during 1858 and $780, fitting 70 be
put In % the republican nominee for Governor Of the
State He was, however, at that time unsuccessful.
Al the commencement OF the secession troubles Mr..
Wadsworth became somewhat prominent . peace
missioner. appointed by the Legislature Of tho
New York to take part In tho Convention Washington
The Convention ending without definite result Mr. Wads
worth returned his native State offered his services
70 the government During April. 1861. he com
miss oned by Gov Morgan OF the major generals Of
the State troops but the appointment Of generals
the field being vested Ia the United States government
his commission was recalled and the appointment 70
voked About the OF this recall the
with the national capital broken by the destruction
OF the railroad bridges Of Maryland and Mr. wadsworh
chartered vessel loaded IL with supplies and In 1t
sail for Annapolis The expenses upon this
venture afterwards betrayed by the government
When General McDowell's army took the field prepare
tory TO the battle OF Bull run, Mr.. wadsworth ap
pointed volunteer aid upon bis staff, with the OF
major, and thus participated In that campaign. Upon
the recommendation of General Mcdowell in his Official
report Major Wadsworth was appointed brigader
raj Of volunteers to date from August 1861 He
afterwards placed in command OF brigade OF the Army
Of the Potomac, then organizing In Virginia In front OF
Washington.
At the time OF the advance OF the army upon Manas
during March, 1862 General wadsworth placed
In command OF the District OF Columbia including tho
national capital. military governor On the removal
OF the main army to the Peninsula General wadsworih
appointed commander Of the military district Of
Washington, including within its limits the District
OF Columbia the city OF Alexandria, the defensive works
south OF the Potomac, from the Occoquan to Difficult
creek and the post at Fort Washington This command
be held tl the end Of that year, during which
interval--n Augustine authorized to raise bri
yade OF volunteers within the District. while command.
pg the deences he made report that they had been
left by the commander OF the main army proper
artillery suitable for the purposes for which they had
been erected. An investigation proved that General
wadsworth In error this matter and the result
caused some amount OF excitement.
During September 1862 General wadsworth was nom,.
mated by the Republican State Convention candidate
for Governor OF The State Of New York, against
Horato Seymour, the democratic candidate. At the
election In November he defeated, Mr.. Seymour q
majority being 1852. General wadsworh then devoted
himself TO the military service and took the field partci.
patng 10 the battle or Fredericksburg, December 49,
1852 He was then placed 10 command Of tie First
division OF General Kings army corps Az the battle OF
Charlottesville in May, 1863, he commanded the ex
treme left DIVISION and conducted the expedition which
crossed the RappahaunocK miles below Fredercxs.
burg This fcnt intended 10 miscad the enemy az
TO the real point OF the crossing Of Hookers army When
the Army Of the Potomac reorgapized the pro-
sent campaign, General wadsworth assigned to the
command Of the Fourth division the Fifth corps, under
General Warren and at tho head OF division met his
| death.