He was soon promoted to a colonelcy, and was fast rising to the next grade when the war terminated.  In the reduction of the army he was retained—­a compliment to his merits as a man and an officer.  He was satisfied with this, and, in declining to remain in the army, wrote to the Secretary of War: 

“There are many whose services have been greater, and whose merits are superior to mine, who have no other means of a livelihood.  I am independent, and desire some other may be retained in my stead.”

He was unambitious of political distinction, though intensely solicitous to promote that of his friends.  His high qualities of soul and mind endeared him to the people of the State, who desired and sought every occasion which they deemed worthy of him, to tender him the first positions within their gift; but upon every one of these he remained firm to his purpose, refusing always the proffered preferment.  Upon one occasion, when written to by a majority of the members of the Legislature, entreating him to permit them to send him to the Senate of the United States, he declined, adding:  “I am a plain, military man.  Should my country, in that capacity, require my services, I shall be ready to render them; but in no other.”  He continued to reside in Augusta in extreme seclusion.  Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico he was tendered, by Mr. Polk, the command of the army, but declined on account of his age and declining health, deeming himself physically incapable of encountering the fatigue the position would involve.

The habits of Colonel Cumming were peculiar.  His intercourse with his fellow men was confined to a very few tried friends.  He never married, and was rarely known to hold any familiar intercourse with females.  So secluded did he live, that for many years he was a stranger to almost every one in his native city.  He was strictly truthful, punctual to his engagements in business matters, and honest in all things.  In person, he was very commanding.  In his walk the whole man was seen—­erect, dignified, and impetuous.  Energy and command flashed from his great, gray eyes.  His large head and square chin, with lips compressed, indicated the talent and firmness which were the great characteristics of his nature.  Impatient of folly, he cultivated no intercourse with silly persons, nor brooked for a moment the forward impertinence of little pretenders.  To those whose qualities of mind and whose habits were congenial to his own, and whom he permitted familiarly to approach him, he was exceedingly affable, and with such he frequently jested, and hilariously enjoyed the piquant story in mirthful humor; but this was for the few.  He was a proud man, and was at no pains to conceal his contempt for pert folly or intrusive ignorance, wherever and in whomsoever he met it.

In early life he was the close intimate of Richard Henry Wild, and was a great admirer of his genius, and especially his great and interesting conversational powers.  Unexceptionable in his morals, he was severe upon those whose lives were deformed by the petty vices which society condemns yet practises in so many instances and universally tolerates.