New Orleans Republican., 1868-11-14

W o'Op III us career.
Before the late war bis service was that
OF all the officers OF his time, and he rose,
Dy brave and Brilliant conduct in the field
ana faithful duty out of it, until the spring
OF 1881, which found him Major of the
First Cavalry, and engaged in the building
Of Fort Wise, near Pixies Peak, in Colorado.
From this remote retirement the shot ct
| Sumter brought him into the constant and
conspicuous service in which the brief re-
mainder of his life was passed. In March,
| 1861, he was Lieutenant Colonel OF the
Second Cavalry in April, Colonel Of the
First in August he was appointed, in the
place of Robert E. Lee, Colonel Of the
Fourth Cavalry, and in the same month
Brigsdier General Of Volunteers, serving
in the defsnses of Washington, and along
the Potomac in Maryland. When the Vir-
ginia Peninsular campaign opened John
Sedgwick was a division commander, and
his story to his death is that of the Army of
| the Potomac.
it began. After the battle of Williamsburg
the first considerable action was that OF Fair
Oaks and Seven Pines. The mass OF the
ern side of the Chickahominy, and
WV SOlpby upOuh ONsOOV AuSh,
were upon the other shore. A furious
storm in the night promised to swell the
river to an impossible flood, and in the
morning the whole rebel force bore down
upon the Union lines, to annihilate one
wing of the army in full sound and sight of
their brothers, hopelessly separated from
them. All the morning the battle hotly
ragged; the Union troops were slowly,
slowly driven back. By noon the river
began to rise. General Sumner, who was
upon the eastern shore, and in whose corps
General Sedgwick commanded a division,
was ordered to cross, and he sent word to
Sedgwick, the "always ready as General
Scott used to call him, to advance; but as
Sedgwick came toward the bridge be saw
that the river had become sea, sweeping
tiercely by, Far out in the midst of the
waves a plank, apparently anchored,
showed the channel; beyond the fur
ther end of the plank the waters
stretched for quarter of mile. 1t
was perilous task to feel his way
through the water with heavy battery Of
twenty-four guns, and then to trust irail,
trembling plank for the passage OF the
channel. But the smoke and roar of the
battle beyond the flood came nearer and
nearer, and be knew that his brethren were
sorely pressed. After calm, thoughtful
survey he gave the word Forward +" In
to the water moved the steady line; the
gun-carriages sunk almost to the guns
doundered, staggered; but painfully drag
ging on SOLDIERS and batteries crossed the
quivering bridge which was whirled awavas
they leftit. Toiling again through the swift
water and the mire, an hour and half be-
fore sunset Sedgwick came upon the field.
The rebels, flushed with success, were driv-
ing their victorious columns as wedge
between the centre and the right of our
wavering forces; but like his ironside an
eestor, Sedgwick swiftly advanced, formed |
his line, opened his batteries, and shattered |
the wedge. The wasted foe recoiled before |
his tremendous fire, bis whole division in |
blazing line of battle moved steadily on, |
seized the stricken enemy, hurled him into |
woods, and the battle Of Fair Oaks was |
won.
On the fourth of July, 1852, Sedgwick
was made Major General of volunteers. In
all that great army, struggling in the Shiny
tolls OF the Peninsula, there was no officer
more trusted and beloved than this most
unobtrusive man, this almost ideal Ameri-
can soldier. In person not tall, with dark
hair, dark, still, almost solemn eyes, with
the tranquil aspect of reserved power, who
did not talk much or loudly, but who was
always gayly chatting his associates, who
was smilingly suspicious of newspaper
fame, and never went to Washington;
man of iron will, promptly obedient and
therefore requiring exact obedience. In
council clear and swift, in action every
aculty nimbly alive, his powers intensely
concentrated, his soul glowing with eager
purpose, as at white heat, but not mas
cred either by victory or defeat. He had
Ill the cardinal soldierly qualities, the posi-
i've masculine manly traits, but with them
hat deptbless tenderness and sweet humor
hat complete the finest natures.
Emerging from the Wilderness on the
linth OF May, the army was concentrated
round Spottsylvania Court House. Cen
raj Sedgewick and his corps holding the
eft of the line. 1t was Monday morning.
nd the General was watching his men
lace the guns, He was sitting under a
rec, talking with General McMabon, his
Adjutant General and warm personal
riend, one of the young heroes whom the
var discovered and developed, and whose
rilliant service and rapid promotion
howed how wisely Sedgewick chose his
len. The General speaking proudly
nd tenderly OF bis staff and his corps.
Then observing some mistake in the work
+ the men he said, abruptly, "Thats
7rong." He and his Adjuant arose to-
ether, and as they moved toward the !
Torking parties the rebel sharpshooters
egan to hre. The soldiers lodged as the
ullets whistled. "Come, come, men," said
be General, smiling, ''dodging for single !
ulletsl Why, they couldn't bit an ele-
hant at this distance "Ah, General, - ,
aid one of the men behind a tree.
I've tried it, and believe in dodging.,'
Very well, my man, said Sedeewick.
go to your place, but l tell you they 9
ant hit an elephant here" He turned. ]
tIll smiling, to continue the conversation !
fith his Adjutant, who heard the sharp, i
ow, singing sound Of bullet, ending dui
=, and Sedgwick sunk slowly to the .
round. His friend, M'Mahon, vaiuly tried ]
support him. He bent over him, and !
poke 10 him with passionate eagerness, but !
edgwiek did not answer. His eyes were ,
losed. His hands were elasped. The sweet !
mile fingered upon his face. A little blood !
'iekled down the cheek from beneath the ,
'tt eye. His heart beat gently for a mo- /
tent, and was still.
Sedgwick died, but the victory was won. '
ihat was the victory? 1t was twofold. '
irst, it was the revelation of an over a
owerlng Dati0nal instinct as the founda- {
on OF the Union. 1t dissipated old theo- a
es. 1t interpreted the Constitution. | {
liant Homogeneous people under one a
overnment along the coast of virgin a
Let them gradually ovespread r
to the farther sea-speakioe the same /,