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Dmiu Chronicle & Sentinel.
BY J.W. & W. S. JONES. AUGUSTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 24, 1849- VOL XIII —NO. 48
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COUNTING HOUSE CALENDAR FOR
______ 1849-30.
MONTHS. s§§S’ ?~ ® §g f S 5
JANUARY 123 45 6 JULY. \12!3 45 6 7
7 8 910 4112 13 ~8 9 10 1112 13 14
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 15 16 17 18 1920 21
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
;28 29 30 31 j <29:30 31 ( 1
FEBR’Y--*) 12 3 AUGUST..•• •• l: 2 ! 3 4
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8' 940 11
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 1344 15 16,17 18
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 j 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
;25 26 27 28 >26 27 28 29 30 31
MARCH- - l 2 3 SEPT. 5 • 1
45678910< 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
111 12 13 14 15 16 17 i 19 10 11 124344 15
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 , ;23 24 25 26 27 28 29
M |:! -30
APRIL. »• 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 OCTOBER .. 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 910 11 12 13 14 7 8 9 10411813
15 1647 18 19 20 21 14 15 16 17,1849 20
22 23 24 25 26127 28 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30 <28,29 30 311
MAY. L- .-1 2 3 4 5 NOVEM’R.;-. 1 2 3
6 7 8 9 1041 12 4 5 6 7. 8 9 10
<l3 14 16 164748 IS 1112 13 14 15 1647
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 4 8 19 20 21 22 23 24
J 27 28 29 30 31 ?25 26 27 28 29 30|
JUNE I ;.... 1 2 DECEM’R ............ 1
13 4 5 6 7 8 9 > 2' 3 4 5 6 7| 8
10 II 12 1344 15 16 \ 9 10 11 1243 14 15
<l7 194 9 20 21 22 23 >l6 4 7 18 19 20 21:22
{24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23,24'25 26 27 28 29
MM 1 l i l . mm 1 M
January and February 1850.
JANUARYMM i * 3 4 5 2
s « 7| 8 9 1041 12 ] 3| 4 5) 6 7 81 9
43 14 15 16 174849 11041 1243 14 15 16
520 21,22 23 24,25 26 517 4 8 19 20 81 32(23
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NEW-YORK AND SAVANNAH
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. L. COOK, Capt. Philpot,
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the shipper. n 24
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A PINE ARTICLE for family use, in Bar
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CALF SKINS AND SOLE LEATHER.
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o
Embracing Portraits of Distinguished Authors, Statesmen, Gene
rals, and others, with Portraits of the People, &c.—No. 10.
MAJOR JOHN R. VINTON, late of the U. States Army
From the. American Revieto.
MEMOIR OF JOHN R. VINTON.
When one of the countless shots thrown in
a siege and defence, which might have spent
itself in the air or on the ground, takes sudden
ly out of life a mature and accomplished man,
we are made to feel how serious are the
chances of war, and how’ heavily its issues of
death may come upon the eountry and the pub
lic service, as well as on the distant circle of
private life. Nor are we willing that the loss
of such a man should receive only the official or
temporary notices of the event and manner of
his death.
A graduate of West Point, a Master of Arts
in a leading New England college, a scholar in
the Greek, Latin and Hebrew languages, care
fully and extensively read in theology (for many
years his favorite study), w'ell versed in meta
physics, ethics, constitutional and international
law, and in an unusual degree acquainted with
the rules of municipal and technical jurispru
dence. a master of mathematics and of the sci
entific part of his own profession, which he had
practiced from a boy, well instructed and deep
ly interested in astronomy, chemistry and most
of the physical sciences, so skilful and so taste
ful with his pencil as to have given his pictures
a rank among the works of professed artists,
and made them intrinsically valuable gifts to
his friends, with intellectual powers unusually
good by nature, and scrupulously cultivated
and held under absolute discipline, with a
grave and serious cast of mind from childhood,
resulting in a deep-seated and mastering prin
ciple of religion, a father, a son and a brother,
with a heart set on the kindly affections, bound
to life by every tie—such a man, so constitu
ted by nature, and so elaborately fitted and
adorned for future action, the cruel chances of
war, an accidental shot (I speak as a fool), a
senseless iron ball, has in a moment taken from
life and the living, from the public service, the
domestic circle, the Church, from children,
friends and country!
The qualities of Major Vinton as a soldier are
a part of the history of the times. His nomi
nation by the President, put expressly on the
ground of his heroic conduct, the confirming
vote of the Senate, the despatches of Generals
Taylor, Wortli and Scott, and the tenor of the
private letters from the seat of war, the history
of the march of our army into the interior of
Mexico —all speak in the clearest manner of
his skill and energy in the general campaign
and his valor in the field.
General Scott, in his despatch from before
the walls of Vera Cruz, records the death of
Capt. Vinton in these words: “That officer
was Capt. John R. Vinton, of the United States
3d Artillery, one of the most talented, accom
plished and effective members of the army,
and who highly distinguished himself in the
brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell last
evening in the trenches, where he was on duty
as a field and commanding officer, universally
regretted. I have just attended his honored
remains to a soldier’s grave, in full view of the
enemy, and within reach of his gnns.”
He was landed with the first line, and was at
once placed in a conspicuous and important
command, at the lime-kiln, in a perilous situa
tion, the place being a perfect target for the
enemy’s shot, and liable to attack at any mo
ment. When the batteries were opened, he
was called to a still more honorable post, that
of field and commanding officer in the line of
batteries and trenches. A letter from an offi
cer of high rank, written before his death, says:
“ I saw him a few minutes last evening, well
and in good spirits. He has all the enthusiasm
and ambition of a young soldier, and stands
very high in the confidence of the general-in
chief. 1 ’ The same officer, writing again, says:
“lam overwhelmed with grief! My friend,
the gallant, gifted, accomplished Vinton is no
more! The news has come from the trenches
that he was instantly killed by a shell while at
his po»t at the batteries. This sudden dispen
sation has spread a deep gloom through the
whole army.” *
Towards evening of the 22d March, Major
Vinton went out upon an exposed situation, to
watch the effect of our shot and the direction of
that from the enemy. He remained there for
some time, came down, and said to Major Mar
tin Scott, who commanded the covering party,
“ Tell the officers, major, as you pass the mor
tars, that our guns are working accurately.”
He had just returned to his post when a huge
shell, striking the top of the parapet, glanced
and struck his head, fracturing the skull. He
fell instantly dead, lying upon his back, with
his arms crossed over his breast, his face, as an
officer writes who was present, “retaining its
habitual expression, sedate and earnest, but not
harsh.” The officers and men rushed to him
as he fell, and gathered about him. The shell
did not burst, fortunately, for it was found to
be charged with a pound of powder and 3*20
musket balls. Upon his body were found let
ters from his children, stained with his life
blood, which flowed from a wound in his
breast. He was buried in the military coat in
which be fell. The funeral was attended by
the general-in-chief and all the officers who
could be spared from duty, and the service of
the Church was read over him by a brother of
ficer —a friend of many years—amid the roar
ofcannon" the falling of the enemy’s shot, and
the whirling of sand in the fierce Norther—
snatched from the victory of the morrow, that
his spirit might gain a greater victory over
death and the grave.
The son of a lady of uncommon powers of
mind, joined with great worth and influence
of character, the elder of four brothers, now
distinguished in the church and the army, he
was a boy of unusual promise at school, and
was celebrated at West Point, where his in
structors, in letters written at the time, pro
nounced him “ unrivalled” in genius, acquire
ments, and high tone of moral character. He
received a commission when scarcely seven
teen, was employed for several years on topo
graphical duty on the Atlantic coast and the
Canada line, and yet was so good a tactician,
that at an early age he was appointed by Gen.
Eustis adjutant of the school of practice, and
gave entire satisfaction, in that arduous office,
to afastidious commander. While residing at
Washington, as aid to Gen. Brown, ha was em
ployed by the government in several duties of
a special nature, and certain papers which he
prepared were so generally admired in Con
gress, that in a leading speech in favor of the
Military Academy, Lieut. Vinton was referred
to as an instance of the kind of men the system
of that institution could produce.
Indeed, success might be predicted in everything
he undertook; for he had too much self-knowledge
to undertake what he was not fitted for, and an en
ergy, method, and high spirit, which yielded to noth
ing short of necessity.
By the pursuit of a course of rigid self-denial and
discipline, he was able to perform labors in various
departments of art and science, in such a manner as
to command the respect of men to whom those pur
suits were professional. The works of bis pencil are
received among artists; his correspondence upon as
tronomical subjects was valued by men of sciencs ;
his general scholarship procured him the degree of
Master of Arts in a leading University ; his edition
of the work on military tactics was highly satisfacto
ry to the goverment and the general-in-chief; and in
the second volume of Mr. Sumner’s Report’s, the law
yer will find an argument prepared by him in a case
in which he was personally interested, depending be
i forejudge Story, to which that judge paid the best
■ compliment of following, in his decision, the same
course of reasoning pursued in the argument.
His letters show him to have been as remarkable
for the soundness of his views as for his acquisitions.
With reference to several political and theological
subjects of those times, they show us how a thought
ful man, removed from the strife of parties and the
whirl of events, may take the same views at once,
which the actors come to after the retrospection of
years.
But that which most interests us in his character,
is the tenderness and depth of hie affections. He had
married a lady of distinguished merit and beauty,
who died early, leaving three children—two daugh
ters and a son —who now survive both their parents.
In his relations as a father, a husband, a son and a
brother, he was sensitive to every impression, and
gave and received exquisite pleasure in the inter
changes of affection and esteem. In one letter we
find an earnest plea for the paternal affection, in an
swer to a suggestion that it might interfere with the
love and duty we owe to the Most High. He speaks
from the heart, and will not permit the natural affe*-
{ lions to be severed from religion, and set over against
the love of God,
Indeed, the tone of his mind was grave, and its
tendencies religious and peaceful. So far was he
from falling into the error, common among young mili
tary men, of supposing it necessary to profess fond
ness for war, that he never hesitated to deprecate it
as the greatest evil. At the time of the threatened
rupture with France, and again with Great Britain,
his letters are full of expressions of hope that peace
may be preserved, and of suggestions as to the mode
of securing it; while he was faithfully preparing
himself for duty in the field. But still more earnest
is he when, during the South Carolina difficulties, a
civil war seemed impending. “ Supposing victory
to crown either standard, there is nothing to be hoped
for in the subsequent acts of the prevailing party
which will promise much for the'welfare of the coun
try or of the human family. Arms, therefore, is an
alternative to be deprecated beyond measure. The
lessons which are read to ns daily from -outh Ame
rica are sufficient to teach the dullest understanding
on this point. This is not a government to be support
ed by bayonets, nor the controversy one of physical
prowess. Any arbitration is better than successful
contest in the field.”
While in Florida, in the prosecution of the war, his
mind came under the influence of religion far more
than ever before. His whole soul was warmed into
a new life, and for a while, like the bewildered apos
tles, he seemed to “stand, gazing up into heaven.”
His journal and letters during this period are of the
most intensely interesting character.
But it is in vain to attempt to do justice, in the short
space of these columns, to this period of his life. Per
haps it had been belter to pass it by in silence. It is
of a sacred and private nature, and may not be under
stood or appreciated when so hastily noticed. v
It was Captain Vinton’s fortune to be engaged in
on® of the few battles of that distasteful war —the ac
tion at Lake M unroe. The event, and his own feel
ings, are faithfully described in his letter of Feb. 12th,
1337 : “ I have at last been an actor in the trying
scenes of a battle. Hostile bullets have whistled
their strange music in my ears, and my hitherto un
tried nerves have been tested by the crisis, which puls
them to the severest trial. The ordeal has been pass
ed, I may say successfully. 1 arn assured of my
ability to be composed and self-possessed, though mv
comrades were filling on my right hand and my
left.” * ♦♦♦'**
Although officers were brevetted and promoted
who did not see an Indian man nor hear the crack of
a rifle during the whole war, and appointments were
made, from political motives, over the beads of the*
regular officers, yet Captain Vinton received no favor
from the source of official honor. This has always
been considered a gross injustice. Doubtless it was
so; but there were reasons which account for, though
they do not excuse it. He would never make, nor
permit his friends to make for him, those efforts?
through lobbies and ante-chambers which so often de
termine official favor. But chiefly, it should be con
sidered, that bis intention of leaving the army, and
taking holy orders, was well known ; and on apply
ing for a furlough at the end of the season, he had in
timated his intention ti resign his commission.
The continuance of the war in Florida, and the
financial difficulties of the country, as well as his un
certain health, obliged him to abandon bis cherished
hope of the ministry, and he made up his mind to
devote the remainder of iiis life to the duties of his
profession, to general studies, and the education of
his children.
Being at Providence during the Dorr insurrection,
he entered ardently into the cause of the Slate, and
saw the necessity of military organization and disci
plinetnsave the lives and property, and what is more
than life or property, of the inhabitants from thereck
lessnessof an armed mob. He hastened to Washing
ton, and asked authority to offer his services to the
State. This was not given, and he was told that he
must act on his own responsibility. As he was not
forbidden, he took tiie responsibility ; and had he
been called to account, would have made any sacri
fice for the good of his native State. He knew the
risk he ran, for it was generally feared that if the
Dorr movement prevailed in Providence, it would also
prevail in Washington. The people of Rhode Island
well remember and appreciate the value of his milita
ry counsels in that crisis, of his incessant disciplining
of the volunteer companies, and the spirit and intelli
gence infused into the young citizen soldiers by his
course of military lectures. And we rejoice to know
that Rhode Island is to pay to his memory the high
est honor a republic can pay to one who has served
his country faithfully unto death—the honor of rever
ently transporting his remains from the field of his
fame to the land of his birth, and of interring thorn
among his kindred with the testimonials of a public
funeral. She may be congratulated on being able to
add his name to those of Greene, Perry, Olney, and
others of her sons, who in every war, on sea and on
land, in every part of this continent, from Lake Erie
to Vera Cruz, have up-borne the honor of that high
spirited State.
While stationed at the arsenal al Augusta, Geor
gia, he received orders to join the army of General
Taylor on its march from the Rio Grande into the in
terior of Mexico. During this march, he performed
the duties of a field officer, often with a separate com
mand, a proof of peculiar confidence in an enemy’s
country. He was sent to take possession of Mier,
which it was thought would be defended, and to act
as governor of the place during its occupation. This
he did, and remained there until the main array pass
ed on, and then rejoined it in season to act a conspicu
ous part in the battle ofMr-nterey. His letters, jour
nals. and pencil sketches, give excellent descriptions
of the scenery and inhabitants of bis new country,
their religion, dress, habits, and characters, and pre
sent a fine illustration of the uses to which a man of
thought and science may put a toilsome and oppres
sive march. But his letters are yet more marked by
his characteristic strength of affection. At every
stage he corresponds regularly with each of his chil
dren, giving most excellent and affectionate advice,
often touching upon the holiest and most sublime
topics.
Toother friends, he writes with vigor and anima
tion upon the campaign and its results, and confesses
himself deeply interested in it. After alluding to the
hardships of the march, he says ; “ Yet there is ex
citement and manly enterprise, and on the whole I am
far better pleased here than when luxuriating in the
polished halls of Augusta Arsenal,”
Atth® battle of Monterey he was with Gen. Worth’s
division, and was actively and prominently engaged
in the operations of each day. He was with the
troops as they passed so long under the fire from the
two heights in the storming of those heights, the cap
ture ofthe palace, and the penetrating into the town,
the digging through walls, and firing from house-tops.
He was in five several engagements, in each of which"
he was exposed to severe fire from the enemy. In
the storming of the second bill, he led a battalion on
one side ofthe hill, while Col. Childs commanded on
the other, and after forcing their way up, over rocks
and orambles, amid a shower of musket balls, they
drove the enemy from the top, at the point of the bay
onet, and forced them to retreat to the stronghold of
the bishop’s palace.
The part performed by him in the capture of the
bishop’s palace was of so distinguished a character,
and attracted such admiration at the time, that it de
serves a full recital here. We cannot present a just
er description of it than is contained in a letter from
Capt, Blanchard, who served under him at the time.
‘ “ I found Capt. J. R. Vinton in command of tho ad
vance, and he then told me that his plan was to try
to draw the enemy from their position, in and near
the palace, and when they were fairly out, to rise
and charge them vigorously,-and, if possible, to get
possession of the palace. The advance was covered
as much as possible behind the rocks, to protect them
from the dreadful shower of grape and musketry
which the enemy kept up from their defences. I
asked him ifif we should advance or fire, lie told me
that I might advance if I did not expose my men too
much, and that he wished me to fall back whenever
I saw the enemy coming out, until we were upon his
line of ambush, and then to close on him and rush on
them. It was a well conceived plan, and the result
showed that it was well executed. Tbe enemy were
induced to come out and charge, and as they came
up tbe hill, Capt. Vinton shouted, • Now, my men,
close and drive them !’ With a will they closed to
centre, delivered their fire, and with charged bay
onets rushed on the Mexicans. They were thunder
struck, and, after a moment’s stand, broke and ran.
Our men were in the palace and fort before they all
escaped, and in ten minutes their own guns were
turned upon them. The main body Ooi.
Childs came down in solid column, and wo were the
victors. It was a stirring, thrilling scene, and I cannot
do it justice, for it should be seen to be felt, Capt.
Vinton derived all the credit which his position ena
bled him to obtain, and I shall always be of opinion
that his plan was an admirable one. I hope he will
be promoted, not only for his skilful and gallant con
duct on that dav, but for his general meritorious con
duct as an officer.”
This manoeuvre, so well planned, and so consum
mately executed, was distinctly seen by the officers
ofthe brigade on the opposite side, who spoke of it as
brilliant in the extreme, and the first reports that
reached ue, brought his name as conspicuous among
the heroes ofthe day.
After sometime spent at Monterey and Saltillo, h«
was ordered with the greater part of the regulars to
join General Scott in the attack on Vera Cruz.—-
Here it was that he wrote his last letter which has al
ready been given to Ihe public. Those who know
him know how truly he speaks of his past life. His
country will not forget in what spirit he gave his life
to her “in her time of appeal.” “I have hitherto
lived mostly for others —but my children will reap
some of the fruits of my self-denial, by the means 1
shall leave them of living independently, and securing
a good education. I commit them, in full reliance,
to the care of their Heavenly Father, and I hope their
trust in him will ever be at least as firm as my own.
My confidence in the overruling providence of God is
unqualified, so that 1 go to the field of action assured
that whatever befall me will be for the beet. I
feel proud to se?Ve my country in her time of appeal;
and should even the worst, death itself, be my lot I
ehall meet it cheerfully.”