Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

244 CHARACTER OF HAMER.
roughest soldier in the ranks, esteemed him and lamented
his' death.~ General iHamer was well known as an able
lawyer, and the most popular and eloquent orator of the
Democratic party in Ohio. The complexion of his politics
was not, perhaps, quite red enough to suit his party in the
times in which he lived; yet was he universally esteemed as
a true patriot and a sound statesman. He had represented
his district in the councils of the nation, where his excellency
of speech and wisdom commanded the admiration and confidence of his peers. But lately re-elected to Congress, and
with a brillant position in the army, a dazzling career of
* When General Taylor was infbrmed of Hamer's death, he exclaimed, " I have
lost the balance-wheel of my volunteer army!" The following communications
manifest to some extent, the regard entertained for the deceased General at headquarters:
lead- Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Camp near l onterey, December 3, 1846.
"Sir: It becomes m) melancholy duty to report the death of Brigadier General
Hamer, of the volunteer service, who expired last evening, after a short illness.
The order to the army announcing this sudden dispensation, expresses but feebly
the high estimation in which the deceased was held by all who knew him. In
council, I found him clear and judicious; and in the administration of his command, though kind, yet always impartial and just. He was an active participant
in the operations before Monterey, and since had commanded the volunteer
division. His loss to the army at this time can not be supplied, and the experience
which he daily acquired in a new profession rendered his services continually more
valuable. I had looked forward with confidence to the benefit of his abilities and
judgment in the service which yet lies before us, and feel most sensibly the privation of them
"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C."
Orders Head- Quarters, Army of Occupation,
a\No. 150. Camp near illonterey, D)ecember 3, 1846.
"With feelings of profound sorrow, the commanding general announces to the
troops the decease of Brigadier General T. L. Hamer, of the volunteer service, who
expired last evening, after a short but violent illness. The ability and judgment
displayed by the deceased general in the exercise of his military command, and the
sterling qualities which marked his private character, endeared him justly to the