lady said: "The Federal commandant of the post is in my house; come and catch him ;" and a search was instituted, but without success, when the woman insisted that he was there, concealed; and finally, after much ado, the unhappy Col. Murphy was pulled out from under his bed, and presented himself in his nocturnal habiliments to his captors. The Provost-Marshal was also taken, and, addressing Gen. Van Dorn, said: "Well, General, you've got us fairly this time. I knew it.. I was in my bed with my wife when I heard the firing, and I at once said: 'Well, wife, it's no use closing our eyes or hiding under the clothes, we are gone up.'" After the captures commenced the war of destruction. Vast accumulations of flour, cotton and stores of all sorts were burned, the railway was torn up, the station and locomotives set on fire, and at length, the flames spreading to a building used as a magazine, caused it to blow up, and led to the demolition of a considerable portion of the town.

On the 8th May, 1863, the career of Gen. Van Dorn was terminated, and the commander, who had so often braved death in his country's service, fell by the hand of private violence. He was shot dead by Dr. Peters, a citizen of Maury county, Tennessee. The common story of the newspapers was that the unhappy commander had been surprised with Mrs. Peters in a private room at his headquarters, in circumstances which left no doubt of the dishonour of her husband, who took his vengeance on the spot. It is not our office or inclination to go into the details of this domestic tragedy. But it is proper to notice that the staff officers of the deceased General published a card in the newspapers, questioning the common rumour, and suggesting the belief that he had fallen a victim to a private enemy, who, as he had before the act very well prepared his means of escape, might also have provided a story of justification. The homicide escaped into the Federal lines, and was never brought to trial.

The career of Gen. Van Dorn was scarcely a just test of his merits as a commander. That he did have some of the best gifts of a good General is apparent, despite the disasters that clouded his reputation, and drove too readily from the public mind the happier records of his life. The excuse of bad luck is not easily admitted into the judgments of history; but Van Dorn was so plainly a sufferer from circumstances that it may be pleaded in his behalf with

some effect. He never gave way to disaster, and he had that fine courage which draws new inspirations from misfortune. His extrication of his army from the forks of the Hatchie, after its defeat at Corinth on the previous day, with 22,000 men under Rosecrans attacking his rear, and 12,000 under Ord attacking his flank, was a remarkable instance of resource, energy, and unconquerable pluck. But it was as a commander of cavalry that Van Dorn was in his best element. His small, lithe figure was an embodiment of grace and activity; his eyes struck fire into men, and could yet speak eloquently the tenderest language of love; he had a brilliant and sentimental courage. A gallant companion-in-arms writes: "Gen. Van Dorn was the most daring man I ever knew. He loved danger for its own sake; he rejoiced in the smoke and tumult of battle; there his blue eyes blazed, his nostrils dilated, and he appeared the impersonation of animated, high, exulting courage. Withal, he was kind, gentle, and thoughtful of others. He was incapable of a warm feeling of enmity, or of envy, or of personal resentment. His ear and hand were open to every appeal to his humanity, and no unprotected being failed to find in him a friend." It may be added that his great virtue, courage, was excessive, and ran into something like a defect. If anything brilliant was before his eyes, he could not see, or estimate justly the difficulties which lay between him and his prize. He was impatient of success, which he yet desired in a higher sense than personal gratification; and in his devotion to the cause he fought for, he was as unselfish as he was brave.

BRIG.-GEN. BENJAMIN M'CULLOCH.

CHAPTER LVIII.

Early romance of his life.-His fame as a hunter and pioneer.-Service in the Texan war of independence.-Battle of San Jacinto.-The Mexican War.-Adventure at Buena Vista.-Appointed United States Marshal for Texas.-His life in Washington City. His appearance and manners at the capital.-Relations to President Buchanan.-Seizes the property and arms of the United States at San Antonio.Surrender of Gen. Twiggs.-McCulloch's command in the Indian Territory.-His part in Price's Missouri campaign.-Defects of his military character.-Killed in the battle of Elk Horn.

THE life of Benjamin McCulloch, anteriour to the war, was of singular interest. It illustrated much of the romance of the American frontier. Living almost constantly on the limit of the American settlements; remarkable for his singular capacities for Indian warfare; following the track of adventure with wild courage and hardihood, he had already made a name for history, and was pointed out as one of those famous adventurers whose lives were in transition between the backwoods and the present standards of civilization. He had originated the name of "Texas Ranger," and, with Walker, Hays, and Chevallie, had given it a world-wide renown. Twenty-six years before he drew his sword for Southern Independence he had served in the battle of San Jacinto; had afterwards passed his time on the Texan frontier in a succession of hardships and dangers; and subsequently in the Mexican War, on the bloody field of Buena Vista, he had received the public and official thanks of Gen. Taylor for his heroic conduct and services. A career, running through scenes so remarkable and extensive, may be traced with interest from its commencement.

The subject of our sketch was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, about the year 1814. His father was aide-de-camp to Gen.

Coffee, and served under Gen. Jackson in the Creek war, fighting at Talladega, Tallahassee, and the Horse Shoe Bend, and exhibiting that reckless daring which is peculiarly efficient against savages, and which since rendered his son so famous. Young McCulloch was fourteen years old when his father removed to the western portion of the State, and settled in Dyer county. This neighbourhood was then a wilderness, covered with swamps and dense forests, and infested by wild animals. The principal meat of the settlers was what was obtained in the chase.

Ben McCulloch acquired here his first fruits of fame, and became renowned throughout the settlement as an expert and successful hunter. A youth spent in such occupations could not fail to kindle a love of enterprise and roving adventure in the bosom of the ardent Tennesseean. At the age of twenty-one he set out for St. Louis, to join a company of trappers on their way to the Rocky Mountains. Much to his disappointment, he arrived in that city after the expedition had started. He then applied for admission into a company of Santa Fé traders; but here again he was unsuccessful, as their number was complete. He returned home, yet cherishing there, until other and greater opportunities, his resolution to seek his fortune in distant and dangerous lands. The erection in Texas of the standard of revolt against Mexico aroused his spirit, and gave him the opportunity of danger and adventure which he coveted.*

*A friend relates the following interesting circumstance attending McCulloch's jour ney to Texas-showing how at least one of his disappointments proved his good fortune, and was turned to his safety.

"Soon after his arrival home, McCulloch called on Col. David Crockett, who was making up an expedition to go to Texas, and take part in the revolution that had then broken out against the authority of Mexico. The whole southwest at that time was alive with sympathy for the Texans, and numbers were daily flocking to their standard. McCulloch agreed to accompany Col. Crockett on his expedition. Nacogdoches had been appointed as the rendezvous, and the Christmas of 1835 was named as the day for the meeting, when, as 'Old Davy' said, they were to make their Christmas dinner off the hump of a buffalo. By some mischance McCulloch did not arrive until the January following, and finding the party gone, he proceeded alone to the river Brazos, where he was taken very ill, and did not recover until after the fall of the Alamo. His disappointment was very great at not being able to join the gallant band of patriots at the time; but it afterwards proved very fortunate for him. Col. Travis, in whose command he would have been, after having sustained a siege for thirteen days, with only one hundred and eight Texans against Santa Anna's army, fell with his brave little band, having previously killed nine hundred of the enemy!"

He entered the Texan army as a private, joining it at Grass Plant, where it had assembled under Gen. Houston. He was attached to an artillery company, in which he remained until the battle of San Jacinto, where Santa Anna was made prisoner, and his army of 1,500 killed or captured. He participated in that famous struggle, and was a sergeant in charge of the gun on the right. There were two guns on that field, known as "the Twin Sisters," under the command of Capt. Isaac N. Moreland, of Georgia. These guns subsequently fell into the hands of the Mexicans, but were eventually recaptured and left at New Orleans, where they remained until a few years ago, when they were presented to the Texan government by the State of Louisiana.

At the termination of the Texan war, McCulloch settled in Gonzales county, where he remained for some time. He was elected a member of the State Congress, as it was then called, which honourable position he held until war broke out between the United States and Mexico. He then resigned his seat, and, like many of the Texans who had fought in the Texan revolution, he hurried forward to meet his old enemies. He raised a company of "Mounted Rangers," and joined Gen. Taylor on the Rio Grande, after the battle of Matamoras, not having been able to organize his command soon enough to participate in the first battles of the war. His company was used principally for scouting, and acted generally under his own direction, or the immediate command of Gen. Taylor. It formed part of the regiment of Texan Rangers, commanded by Col. Jack Hays, which marched with Gen. Worth to assist in storming the Bishop's Palace in Monterey. In all the operations of Gen. Worth's division, McCulloch distinguished himself, and obtained the repeated commendations of his superiours.

Just before the battle of Buena Vista, McCulloch performed a daring exploit and did one of the most valuable services of the war With one companion, he left camp in the night, and proceeded to make a reconnoissance within the lines of the enemy, then advancing with Santa Anna at their head. He entered the Mexican lines, where he spent several hours in close observation within hearing of the groups gathered around the watch-fires. He discovered the numbers of the enemy, learned his plans, and obtained all the information necessary to Gen. Taylor. He immediatly returned, and related to that officer the result of his reconnoissance; and, upon