The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-09
GENERAL SCHENCK DEAD.
He Suddenly Succumbs to an
h Attack of Pneumonia.
His Notable Career as Diplomat,
Statesman and Soldier.

General Robert Cumming Schenck, Con-
gresham, soldier and diplomat, and leader
in public affairs a generation or more ago,
died at O'Clock in the evening Of pneumonia,
at his residence in Washington. 1t was not
until the previous day that it was known
that he was seriously ill. He had been all.
ing for about two weeks but attached very
little Importance to his complaint. A week
before he was out calling and seemed in his
usual health, save for u slight bronchial cough
1twas not until four days previous to his death
that it was thought necessary to call in
physician DR.. H. c. Yarrow was sent for,
and found General Schenck suffering from
capillary bronchitis. Within twenty-four
hours limited pneumonia of the right lung
set in, and later the left lung also became
involved. When DR.. Yarrow visited Gem
eral Schenck he found him much worse and
it was discovered that diphtheretic e1uda-
tion was commencing in the right side of the
throat. He grew rapidly weaker until the
end came. His mind was clear and bright to
the very last. His three daughters. Mrs
Bates, an old friend, and Miss Sedgwick
were with him at the time of his death
General Schenck was in his Slst year, hav-
ing been born in Franklin, Ohio, October 1,
1909. He was graduated from Miami Uni
versity in 1927, and after spending three ad.
ditional years at the college studied law with
Thomas Corwin. He served two years in the
State Legislature, and acquitted himself so
well that he was elected to Congress az a
Whig, serving from 1912 until 1851. Presi-
dent Fillmore then sent him to Brazil as
Minister Plenipotentiary While serving in
this capacity he distinguished himself as
! diplomat by taking conspicuous part in the
Negotiation Of treaties with Paraguay,
Uruguay, and the Argentine Republic.
lkfter two years in Brazil he returned to
Ohio. his native State, but took no part in
politics. When the Civil War broke out he
offered his services to the Government, and
was commissioned Brigadier-General by
President Lincoln on May II, 1861. He
served with,his brigade in the first battle of
Bull Run, in which the Federal army was
defeated. He next served in West Virginia
under General Rosecrans and did some brill
liant fighting at Mcdowell and Gross Keys.
General Fremont then entrusted him with the
command of division, and while leading the
first division of Franz Sigels Corps at the
Sscond battle of Bull Run his right arm was
shattered by a musket ball, incapacitating
him for service for some time. In Septem-
ber, 1862, he was promoted to be a Major.
General, and in December of that year he
took command of the Middle Department
and Eighth Corps at Baltimore. He rem
dered effective service in the Gettysburg
campaign.
gress against the anti-war Democrat, Val.
1andingham, and, though the district was
Democratic, he carried the election, and re-
signing his post in the army took
his seat in the House of Representa-
tives on December 8, 1868. He was
Immediately made Chairman of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, and during this
abled him to do valuable service to the Fed
eral cause. He was reelected to the two
succeeding Congresses, and throughout the
exciting times, during and after the
war, he took leading part in the proceed.
3ings of the House. During his last term
he was Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee and leader of the House, succeed
ing Thad Stevens in command of the Re
publican party. He was Minister to Eng
land in 1870, and in 1871 was ono Of
the Alabama Claims Commissioners, re-
taining this last Office for five years,
when he resigned. Since that time he
has made his home in Washington, where he
warm favorite. He was familiar
Ire at Republican gatherings there but !
ktook no active part in politics. His life
Id been several times despaired Of during
he last decade, but his hardy constitution
Ind strong will pulled him through.
Secretary Blaine was much attached to
General Schenck, and sent an affectionate
hote when he heard of his illness. In his |
book Mr.. Blaine pays General Schenck q
YARN compliment. mo man in Congress
auring the present generation" he
lays, has rivaled General Schenck
g q fve-minute debater. In the i've
minute discussion in Committee of the
Whole he was an intellectual marvel. The
: ompactness and clearness of his statement,
he facts and arguments which he could mar
hal in that brief time were constant sur
rise and delight to his hearers"