Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-03-27
GENERAL scHEncK DEAD.
The Noted soldier, Politician and Diplomat
Dies Suddenly at washing ton Sketch Of
Ills Life.

The Noted soldier, Politician and diplomat
Dies suddenly at Washington Sketch Of
Ills Life.
| WASHINGTON, March "a General Rob
ert Cummings Schenck, ex-Congressman,
soldier and diplomat and leader in pub
lie affairs a generation or mose ago, died
at five o'clock last evening OF pneumo-
MIA at his residence on Massachusetts,
avenue just of Thomas circle. II was
not until yesterday that IL was known
that he was seriously i'll, but when his
friends heard Of II, they prepared for
the worst because OF hts advanced age.
General Schenck, had been ailing for
about two weeks, but attached very lit
tie Importance 10 his complaint Last
week he was out calling with B. II.
Warder, formerly Of Ohio, but for several
years a well-known resident Of this city,
and seemed in his usual health, save for
slight bronchial cough. II was not un-
til Tuesday that IL was thought neces-
sary to call in physician. DR. II. G.
Yarrow was sent for and foupd the Gem
eral suffering from capillary broachitis.
Within twenty-four hours limited pnen-
monia Of the right lung set in and later
the left lung also became involved and
DIR. Yarrow called DR.. o'Reilly into con-
sultation.
General Schenok was familiar figure
at Republican gatherings in Washing
ton from 1875, when he came here to
live, but he took no active part in poll
itics His life had been several times
despaired OF in the last decade, but his
hardy constitution and strong will
pulled him through.
Secretary Blaine was much attached
TO the General and sent an affectionate
note TO him Saturday when he heard Of
his illness. IN his book Mr.. Blaine pays
the dead man warm compliment:
mo man in Congress during the pres
ent generation" he says, has rivalled
General Schenck as a five minute de-
batter. In the FIVE minute discussion in
Committee of the Whole he was an intel
lectual marvel The compactness and
clearness OF his statements, the facts
and arguments which he could marshal.
in that brief time, were a constant sur
prise and delight to his hearers"
BIOGRAPHICAL
Robert Cumming Schenck was born In
franklin, o., October a. 1863 was graduated
at Miami University in 1927 and remained as
a resident graduate and tutor for three years
longer, then studied law with Thomas Cor
win, was admitted to the bar and estab.
lished himself In practice at Dayton, o. lie
was a member OF the Legislature in lsll-2
displaying practical knowledge and pungent
wit in the debates, and was then elected asa
Whig to Congress aud thrice reelected,
serving from December 1, 1913, tin March s,
laIL.Ha was a member 90 mT.ert 49, commit
tees and during his third term was the chair
man OF that on roais and canals on March
II. 1851, he was commissioned as Minister to
Brazil. In 1872, with John 5. Pendleton, who
was accredited to the Argentine Republic as
Charge d'Affaires, he arranged a treaty OF
friendship and commerce with fhe Govern
ment Of that country and one for the free
navigation OF the river La Plata and its
great tributaries. They also negotiated
treaties with the Governments OF Uruguay
and Paraguay lie left Rio Janelro on Octo-
Der S, 1888, and after his return to Ohio en-
gagged in the railroad business. He offered
his services to the Government when tho
civil war began and was one OF the first
Brgadier Generals appointed by resident
Lincoln, his commission bearing the date OF
May II, 1881. He was attached to the military
department OF Washington and on June II
moved forward by railroad with a regiment
to dlslodge the Confederates at Vienna, but
was surprised by n masked battery and
forced to retreat. On meeting reinforce
tired. His brigade formed part OF General
Daniel Tyler's division at the first Bun Run
battle and was on the point of crossing the
stone bridge to make secure the occupation
Of the plateau when the arrival OF Confed
crate reinforcements turned the tide OF
battle. He next served in West Virginia
under General William S. Rosccrans and
was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley with
the force that was sent TO oppose General
Thomas j. Jackson. Pushing forward by a
forced march to the relief OF General Robert
II. Milroy he had a sharp and brilliant en-
gagement with the enemy at Mcdowell. At
Cross Keys he led the Ohio troops in a charge
on the right and maintained the ground that
he won until he was ordered to retire. Gen
eral John C. Fremont then intrusted him
with the command OF a division. At the Sec
ond battle of Bull Run he led the frst diy-
sion of General Franz sigels corps. He was
wounded In that action by a musket bail,
which shattered HIS right arm, incapactat-
Ing him for active service tn December 10,
1862. when he took command of the middle
department and Eighth corps at Baltimore,
having been promoted Major General on
september is, After performing effective
services in the Gettysburg campaign he re-
signed his commission on December 3, 1863,
IN order to take his place IN the House OF
in which he served as
chairman Of the Committee on Military Al
fairs. He was reelected IN 1864 and was
placed at the head OF the same committee,
where he procured the establishment of the
National Military and Naval Asylum. In 1855
he was president Of the board of visitors to
the United states Military Academy and was
one OF the committee OF Congress on the
death of President lincoln, serving also on
The Committee on Retreuchmcnt In 1856 he
attended the loyalists' convention at Phla-
ielphla and the soldiers convention at
Pa. He was re elected to Con-
gress In 1866 and in 1865, when his opponent
was Clement l. Nallanding CHAM, serving as
cha irman OF the Committee OF Ways and
leans and Of the Ordnance Committee. On
December p, 1870, he received tho appoint
ment OF Minister to Great Britain In 1871
he was one q the alabama" Commission.
he resigned his post in 1876 In consequence
II the failure Of the Emma silver Mine Com
Dany, In which he had permitted himself to
DC chosen a director and resumed the prac-
Ice OF law In Washington.