Gen. Garnett.
--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.
