LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM J. HARDEE.

AMONGST those of the army who have embraced the Southern cause, it would be difficult to find one more generally known in military circles, and, to some extent, in the literary world, than the subject of this sketch. Born about the year 1817, at Savannah, in the State of Georgia, it was to have been expected that he would unite with her fortunes, whatever they might be; nevertheless, so distinguished had he become under the flag of the old government, that it would seem, at the time, almost impossible for him to sever his connection with it. That innate love for the place of one's birth, however, which, more or less, all true men possess-even though circumstances, or the occupations of life, may take them from it—no doubt greatly influenced Colonel Hardee in his course. He was, and still is, one of those brave spirits and gifted minds, whom the world has long known and learned to respect. His native State had just reason to be proud of him, for he was not only the second officer of highest rank, from Georgia, in the old army, but was the author of one of the best works on military tactics that had been published.

In 1834, Hardee entered West Point as a cadet, and graduated with honor four years afterwards. He was then gazetted as second-lieutenant, in the Second United States dragoons, and was sent to Florida, where he served for two years. On the 3d of December, 1839, he was promoted to a first-lieutenancy, and was sent by the Secretary of War to the celebrated military school of St. Maur, about eighty leagues from Paris. There, he was regularly attached to the cavalry department of the French army, and, after completing his studies, -making himself a thoroughly good officer, with a perfect knowledge of that branch of the service-he returned to the United States, bringing a flattering letter of recommendation

from Marshall Oudinot to the Secretary of War at Washington.

Lieutenant Hardee's regiment was now stationed on the Western frontier, and quickly rejoining it, he soon became actively employed in defending the advanced settlements from Indian depredations. On the 18th of September, 1844, he was promoted to be a captain of dragoons, and then accompanied General Taylor across the Rio Grande to the Mexican campaign. There, his company was the first to engage the enemy, at a place called Curricitos, where, after vainly endeavoring with his gallant little band to cut his way through the Mexican ranks, he was overwhelmed by superior numbers, and taken prisoner. He had to remain a captive for several months, and then was exchanged in time to take part in the siege of Monterey. For this and other engagements he was promoted major of cavalry on the 25th of March, having then joined the forces under General Scott, at Vera Cruz, and displaying great gallantry in an affair at Medelin, near that place. The subsequent battles in Mexico are well known. Major Hardee greatly distinguished himself in all of these, to the gates of Mexico; and, for such meritorious conduct, he was made a brevet lieutenant-colonel. Afterwards he was promoted, in the regular army, to the rank of major in the famous Second cavalry regiment, where the colonel and lieutenant-colonel were A. S. Johnston, and R. E. Lee. It was at this time, Colonel Jefferson Davis, then Secretary of War, detailed him to prepare a system of tactics better adapted for the use of the infantry than those adopted, and this was compiled and published, as "Hardee's Tactics; or, the United States Rifle and Infantry Tactics," 2 vols. On the completion of the work, in July, 1856, he was ordered to West Point as commandant of cadets, with the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was employed there with the exception of one year's leave of absence in Europe-until he was promoted full lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, which position, however, he resigned on the 31st of January, 1861.

In the month of October, 1860, events forshadowed that mighty convulsion which has since taken place in the nation. Virginia was even then preparing to "resist all attempts at coercion," and "an encampment of nearly two regiments of

cavalry were to be formed at the Fair ground, near Richmond, on the 7th of November." At that time Colonel Hardee was staying in New York awhile, but it seems from a let-. ter, written at Richmond, dated October 31st, 1860, that he was then, by permission of his commander-in-chief, to go down to Richmond, and "instruct these regiments in military tactics." At all events, we find him at Montgomery about the end of February, 1861; he then offered his sword and services to the Confederate government. They were gladly accepted, and he was at once confirmed as colonel of the First regiment of infantry. He was then assigned to duty at Fort Morgan, Mobile, and directed to take Grant's Pass, and all their approaches to Mobile, under his charge. In the month of June, Hardee was appointed a brigadier-general, and sent to Arkansas, with his command, embracing that portion of the State south and west of the White river-General Polk being the department commander of the Mississippi and adjoining region.

General Hardee's services in the West were of great importance to the cause he had joined. Before his arrival, Arkansas had appointed a military board to arrange about transferring the entire force of the State to the Confederate government, provided, however, that their arms were to be used simply in self-defence. A deputation went to Richmond, but no promise could be given as to their future disposition. But, on the 4th of July, 1861, an agreement was made with General Hardee, and, with a single exception, the several regiments were transferred to his command, the whole force numbering about 6,000

men.

At this time, McCullouch was in charge of the Indian territory, on the Arkansas frontier, and General Price was operating with Governor Jackson, in Missouri. General Hardee, however, soon prosecuted the war with vigor, in the department of which he had control. In the early part of August he went to Greenville, Mobile, taking with him artillery and small-arms, in consequence of having received promises of reinforcements. But he was much disappointed. The men we afraid of being called away from their cwn State, and, there fore, would Lot join. His hopes thus proving abortive, he turned his attention to Pilot Knob, and the Iron Mountain