dense forests to the places where the courts were held, which in those days were wherever the exigency of the moment fixed them. He was often called to try his powers in opposition to men of established fame in the courts of the state, and the success which is said to have attended his efforts proves that he was able to cope with the able and eloquent lawyers who were then regarded as the leaders of the profession in the Northwest. His fame as a lawyer spread through the country, and the unfortunate pioneer who became entangled in the meshes of the law, looked upon his release as certain, if he could secure the advocacy of Lewis Cass. In the case of impeachment of Judge Brown, one of the presiding Circuit Judges in 1812, Mr. Cass was employed by the Judge to defend him on his trial before the Senate of Ohio. The state had engaged the celebrated Henry Baldwin, of Pittsburgh, to prosecute the articles of impeachment. The novelty of the case-the standing and character of all concerned-accusers, court, accused and counsel, created great interest in the trial, and attracted a large concourse of people at the capitol, to hear the proceedings. Baldwin was a man of great powers, and when he closed his speech against the accused, the friends of the latter feared that his eloquence and argument had closed the door of hope upon the Judge and secured his conviction. But the young advocate for the defendant rose amid the stillness and breathless anxiety of the mass of human beings who filled the capitol, and in a speech of tremen dous power, in which he seemed to concentrate his whole being, swept away the apparently immoveable barrier raised by the eloquent Baldwin against the acquittal of the defendant, and secured the victory for his client.

At the age of twenty-five, Lewis Cass was elected to the Legislature of Ohio, then just admitted as a State. Here he was not less conspicuous for his powers both as a speaker and writer, than for the readness of perception which characterized his comprehension of subjects brought to his notice. He was placed at the head of important committees, and though the youngest member of the House of Representatives, he was unanimously regarded as the leader of his party. The defection and exposure of the conspiracy of Aaron Burr, brought the young legislator into more

conspicuous notice, and made his name and patriotism objects of national interest. Ohio was then, in 1806, the scene of Aaron Burr's incipient operations, where he attempted to raise men and means for his expedition. His progress was arrested by the prompt and decisive action of Mr. Cass, who drew up the law which put an end to Burr's designs. The Legislature of Ohio forwarded to President Jefferson an address on the occasion, written by Mr. Cass, which is replete with the noblest sentiments that can animate the bosom of an American citizen, setting forth with the eloquence of a true heart, the inestimable advantages of Unionthe safety which exists only in a reliance upon the patriotism of the people, and their capacity to preserve inviolate the sacred contract which binds the States together in the Federal Union. This decisive and energetic act of Mr. Cass was pronounced by Mr. Jefferson to be the first blow given to the dangerous and treasonable schemes of the gifted but disappointed politician who sought to revenge his fancied wrongs, by subverting the good order and government of the people who had honored him, not, it is true, to the extent of his ambition, by bestowing upon him the second office of the Republic.

In March, 1807, President Jefferson appointed Mr. Cass, Marshal of Ohio. In the performance of the duties of this most responsible office, he was engaged until hostilities of the Indians rendered it necessary to take up arms in defence of the inhabitants on the frontier. In the latter part of the year 1811, the Indians instigated by the British officers at Malden, in Canada, to attempt to recover the lands they had ceded to the Americans by treaty, attacked the American camp on the Wabash. This aroused the patriotic inhabitants of Kentucky and Ohio, and they voluntered to march to the defence of the frontier. Mr. Cass was among the foremost who reached Dayton, the place of rendezvous. Here he was by acclamation elected Colonel of the third regiment of Ohio volunteers.

Other influences, however, were at work, which afforded a more extended field of action for the ardent soldier who had so eagerly eurolled his name among the defenders of his country.

In the early part of the year 1812, it was anticipated that the

peaceful relations existing between the United States and England would soon be terminated by a declaration of war, forced by the repeated and continued aggressions of the latter.

Acting upon the preservative principle, "in peace prepare for war," Congress adopted measures for the increase of the army. As it was probable, in the event of war, that the frontiers bordering upon the British Provinces, would be the principal theatre of hostilities on land, the attention of government was directed to their protection. A call was made upon the Governor of Ohio for a draft of militia and volunteers, for the service of the United States. Col. Kingsbury, of the 1st regiment, U. S. Infantry, was designated as the commander of the force, and was ordered to Washington to receive his instructions. Sickness, at that place, prevented him assuming his post, and General William Hull-who had acquired a high reputation in the revolutionary army, and who was then at Washington-was appointed a Brigadier General, and was assigned to the command of the north-western army. Gen. Hull was, at that time, civil Governor of the territory of Michigan. It was with some reluctance that he accepted the military command. This was in April 1812. The military force was raised for a double object to act against the British in Canada, if there should be war, and to suppress hostilities from the Indians in the Territory of Michigan.

The Militia of Ohio, under the order of Gov. Meigs, were, in a very short time, prepared to march. They rendezvoused at Dayton, to the number of 1200, and, marching from there to Urbana, were joined by 300 men of the 4th United States Regiment. The third regiment of Ohio militia and volunteers, was commanded by Col. Lewis Cass. Early in June, the army left Urbana for Detroit, distance more than 200 miles. Previous to commencing their march Col. Cass addressed his fellow soldiers, urging upon them the necessity of performing their duty to their country, and setting forth in glowing colors the honor and fame to be acquired by a successful campaign. The way led through a wilderness requiring the opening of roads and the construction of bridges and causeways. The soldiers were zealous in the cause which they had espoused, and bore the labors and fatigues of the march with heroism and patience. For the protection of the country, and the use and con

venience of the army, they erected a number of block houses on the route. These were of great service to the invalids of the army, some of whom were worn down by the great and arduous difficulties of the march.

While the army was on the march to Detroit, there were, necessarily, but few opportunities for drilling the soldiers. Indeed there appears to have been culpable inattention to that important part of military education. But it is mentioned, by those who were the companions of Col. Cass, that he availed himself of every opportunity of drilling his regiment and accustoming them to movements and evolutions, upon the proper execution of which, battles have been often won. When the army halted for any length of time, after they were sufficiently recruited, Col. Cass would have his regiment on parade. The men thought the more of him for the interest he showed for their instruction. It would have been different, had he merely been content with issuing his orders, and entrusted their performance to his subalterns. That he did not do. He was on the ground himself; on the very spot where he should be. He required nothing of his soldiers, which he was not willing to do himself. Seeing him thus zealous in the cause in which he had embarked, the soldiers could not help being influenced by his example. A laudable emulation for excellence in martial acquirements thus became infused throughout his regiment, and with that spirit grew an attachment to their leader, which was attended with the happiest results. Kind, yet strict, he was loved and respected by all under his command. He had been chosen, by acclamation, to lead them, and they were willing to obey his orders, and follow him to the cannon's mouth. There was not between him, and the obscure volunteer in the ranks, that broad and deep abyss, over which neither could pass, and throw aside the strict etiquette of military distinctions. He could sit beside the sick or wounded soldier, and administer to the wants of the unfortunate, without feeling himself humiliated by the act, or his rank degraded by the humanity, which was moved by the sufferings of the private soldier. He could talk with him as man to man, of the common occurrences of the day, without lessening his influence, or hazarding obedience to his orders. Nor did he consider it unbecoming his station as an officer, to dismount from his

horse and march on foot at the head of his regiment, while the wearied soldier, sinking with fatigue or illness, was placed upon the seat his commander vacated. Such acts as these endeared him to his men, and made him the most popular and esteemed, and best obeyed officer in the army. When the army reached the forks of the Miami, Gen. Hull chartered a small vessel to transport to Detroit the heavy baggage and such of the sick as required rest and an easier mode of travel. This vessel was captured by an armed force, at the mouth of the Detroit river, sent from the British fort at Malden. War had been declared by the United States while Hull and his army were in the woods, and information had reach ed the enemy's post at Malden, before it was known to Gen. Hull or any of his officers. Gen. Hull had previously received a communication, bearing date on the 18th of June, the day that war was declared, directing him to proceed to Detroit with all possible expedition. It was probably written previous to and just on the eve of the formal act, declaring hostilities to exist. On the 2d day of July, he received notice from the Secretary of War, that war had been declared. This communication, also, bore date on the 18th of June, but, by some means never ascertained or accounted for, it was fourteen days on its route, and did not reach him until five days after the event was communicated to the officers at Malden, and not until the day after the vessel had sailed from the Miami, with the invalids and baggage.

The route to Detroit passed along the margin of the Detroit river, and through an Indian village, nearly opposite the British fort. War existing, it was supposed that our soldiers would be attacked and annoyed by detachments from that garrison. But such was not the case: the army continued its march and arrived at Detroit on the 5th of July, where it remained until the 12th of July, when it crossed the river into Canada. It was supposed that Gen. Hull would proceed at once and capture Malden. His officers and men were alive for the expedition. It was, to the extreme of military propriety, urged upon the commanding General by his associates and subordinates in command, but these suggestions had no effect other than to cause him to make preparations, ostensibly for the attack on Malden. Col. Cass, who had recently been at Malden, was satisfied that the fort there was not defensible against