--The Charleston Mercury writes of this noble and gallant defender of the cause of justice and his native
South--
Robert Selden Garnett entered the West Point Academy as a Cadet from
Virginia, in September, 1837. He graduated in 1841, and received the appointment of brevet 2d
Lieutenant.
4th Artillery. In July, 1843, he was detailed as instructor of infantry tactics at
West Point, and continued to occupy that position until October, 1844, when he was attached to
Gen. Wool's staff, in the capacity of aide-de-camp.
On the breaking out of the war with
Mexico, he joined
Gen. Taylor's column, and distinguished himself by his bravery in the battles of
Palo Alto and
Reseca de la Palma.
In August, 1846, he was made 1st
Lieutenant, and called by
Gen. Taylor to his personal staff, on which he served until January, 1849. For his ‘"gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at
Monterey, Mexico,"’ he was breveted
Captain; and again, on the desperate field of
Buena Vista, he was breveted
Major for ‘"gallant conduct."’
Since the close of the
Mexican war, he has been attached to 7th Infantry, U. S. Army.
Upon the dissolution of the
Union he resigned his commission, and joined his fortunes with those of his native State.
In recognition of his merits, he was appointed by
President Davis Brigadier General in the Provisional Army of the
Confederate States, and placed in command of one of the
corps d'armee sent to crush out the Abolition traitors of the
Pan Handle.
He died nobly in the performance of his duty, the first
general officer to fall in the cause of Southern independence.