Charles Hoskins
Raleigh Register and North Carolina Gazette
March 2, 1847
The names of nearly all the officers who fell at Monterey have gone
the rounds of the country, with brief memoirs illustrated with whatever
gallant action they had performed, or noble qualities they were endowed.
So far as I have seen, one had been omitted. And to those who
appreciate him, this omission, like that of the bust at pageant, directs
their attention to him the more earnestly, and revives those ties of
endearment, which, alas, can in the future only line to this memo.
This officer is Charles Hoskins, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 4th Infantry.
He was a native of Edenton, N.C. He graduated from the Military Academy
in 1836 and immediately joined his company in the Cherokee Nation. In
various capacities, but particularly as a quartermaster, proceeding and
during the Cherokee difficulties, he won the approbation and entire
confidence of this successive commanders, Generals Wool and Scott.
And on the departure of the Indians and the troops, he disposed of the
public property and closed the affairs of the government in that country—
a responsible trust executed with judgment and ability.
In 1839 he moved with the regiment to Fort Gibson, Arkansas and discharged
his multiplied staff duties in such a manner as to elicit tokens of admiration
from his commanding officers and, harder task, to the satisfaction of all with
whom he came into contact. He was a commissary, and occasionally
quartermaster of the post, nearly three years, during the station of his regiment,
and by his mildness of disposition and urbanity of manner, gained the
attachment of his inferiors, while his correct and efficient performance of duty
secured the respect of his superiors in command.
Nearly all his family had died of consumption and his appearance at that
time indicating that he would prove a victim to the same disease, was a
constant source of apprehension, and he resolved, with the hopes of averting
it, to shun sedentary occupation and lead an active life. Joined by several of
his comrades, the lamented Porter being among them, he employed all his
leisure time in the manly exercise of the chase—an amusement as becoming
to the daring and gallantry of the officer as the grosser sensual excesses are
demoralizing and destructive. He abandoned books and the house for the free
air and high excitement of the prairies, and became a skillful and fearless
horseman, with scarce a superior in the army—The Sporting Magazine records
many of his feats, though not blazoned with his name. His memory will long
be cherished on the spot of his hardy sports and miniature victories.
His regiment made a tour of Florida in the winter of 1841. He met no opportunity
for distinction. Few had better fortune in Florida. It was a war and a country to
lose rather than to gain reputation. In the following summer, he marched to
Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and eagerly sought the same field of recreation to
which he had grown accustomed, and the excitement of which he so keenly
relished. Ere long, he was transferred to a company stationed at Fort Scott,
Missouri, where, surrounded by prairies and with ample leisure from duty, his
wish was indulged.
While at the barracks, he became attached and betrothed to an accomplished
and amiable young lady, residing at Pontosi, Missouri. To consummate this
union, he obtained the only leave of absence—excepting for a short Buffalo
excursion in 1841), that he asked for during an active service of more than ten
years.
He was indeed all the soldier. The home of his youth made desolate by the fell
destroyer which sweeps off families in a season, his regiment was his only
home—its officers his kindred. His wife returned with him to Fort Scott, and was
happily enjoying the blessings which life could afford, when the Mexican difficulties
carried his regiment to Corpus Christi in 1845, and separated him from his family
forever.
He was here made adjutant, and held this important post in the memorable
actions of the 8th and 9th May. Major Allen, commanding the regiment,
complimented his coolness, efficiency, and gallant bearing. He rendered valuable
services, but his position, or adverse fate, prevented his achieving any brilliant
distinction. If fortune ever exerts influence in the affairs of mortals, it is on the
field of battle. The bravest may not always perform heroic deeds, nor profound
skill guard against every-changing circumstances impossible to foresee, nor the
loftiest genius invariably detect the crisis and improve it. Even the combination
of these, which constitutes the great captain, cannot ensure success. Chance
has her dominion, and wields a capricious scepter, in spite of sometimes of
human reason and super-human effort.
Lt. Hoskins was still the adjutant at Monterey. His regiment was posted on the
night of the 20th September, to cover a mortar battery established in a hollow,
within range of the fire from the Mexican citadel, and was more or less exposed
all night. On the following morning, it was directed to storm a fort on the left and
at the outskirts of town. Three companies, numbering only a hundred men—
forlorn hope—advanced to the charge, directly in front of the work. Three
batteries, the fire from the citadel, and the small arms of two thousand men,
opened upon this slender column. At its head marched its brave and modest
commander, Major Allen (now of the 2nd Infantry), who had led the regiment in
the battles in May; Lt. Hoskins and Lt. Graham since dead. When within a
hundred yards, the fire became horribly destructive, Lt. Hoskins was shot through
the heart and died without uttering a word. His arm stiffened, with a finger pointing
to his wound. He had a presentiment of his death. Lts. Graham and Woods, and
35 men, more than one third of the entire number, fell at the same moment. The
wonder is, that a single man survived to approach so near, yet Major Allen and a
few of the remainder, passed within thirty feet of the wall before withdrawing for
reinforcements.
The record of Hoskin’s fate has been brief—an insertion of his name in the list of
the killed. Often misspelled, occasionally attached to another regiment than his
own. Even in the only history of the affairs of the 8th and 9th May, he is
designated at Lt. A. Haskins.
Thus silently perish the professional ability and pride of the officer, and the social
virtues of the friend. This is military glory! Yet duty demands a sacrifice, and
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
Lt. Hoskins was one of those rare men whom to know is to love; not by easy
temper and ready disposition to unite with any party and adopt any opinion to
secure favor, but by the possession of the most sterling positive qualities. His
courage was “as true as steel”, as occasion has amply tested. His generosity
had no limit; it was as lavish as the sun of his rays, and proceeded from a heart
overflowing with kindness. His frankness scorned the subterfuges of deceit, and
prompted to the bold avowal of his convictions of propriety or right. His nature
was truly chivalric, comprehending the instinctive sense of honor and punctilious
observance of all its precepts, which mark the her. His intellect was quick,
penetrating, grasping; he read character at a glance, and his judgment was
almost unerring. As an officer, he was faithful, judicious, energetic and
enlightened—as a friend, affectionate, and true to any sacrifice. He had no
enemies. In all, no man ever possessed in greater perfection, some of the highest
traits of human character; and, blended as these were with a modest demeanor,
unassuming manners—shrinking from notoriety, and utterly devoid of vanity and
selfishness—they were the more conspicuous and the more prized. His
associates paid him the spontaneous homage of their admiration and affection.
If not the master spirit, he contributed materially in giving tone to the circle in
which he moved. Its influence was not confined to his regiment.
In figure, he was tall and slender; a face remarkable for beauty and intelligence;
an eye, black, sparkling and piercing, was expressive of his character, and can
never be forgotten by those who have seen it under the various phases of his
feelings. He was in his thirty-third year. He has left a widow and an orphan son
whom he never saw—not like the relics of many deceased officers, subject to the
fruitless sympathy of the world, or dependent on the charity of the government,
but in affluent circumstances.
Pease to his ashes! The tomb never closed upon a nobler spirit.
M.C.M.H.
Transcribed by Christine Spencer July 2008
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