The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-28

in battle and who may die in consequence OF such
wounds three months additional ray shall be allowed and
that each omcer non commissioned Officer musician Sno
private may have been killed in battle in defending
the camp opposite Matamorss or who may die Ia eonse
quence Of such wounds twelve months additional pay
shall be allowed to their widow any such there bell no
widow then their chdren this pay to be and above
any pension the widows children OF such officers
SO killed in battle or who have may die IRON their
wounds may be legally entitled to by law.
These resolutions apply to all belonging to the army o
occupation and who may have been killed or wounded be-
fore the passage of these Joint resolutions and that pro
vision shall hereafter be made by law carry into effect the
foregoing resolutions.
Mr.. B. modified his amendment, on the sugges-
ton of Mr.. JOSEPH J. McDowELL, by striking out
the words "heirs-at-law" and inserting children"
Mr.. HARRISON said that, as il was desirable
that whatever was done should be well done he
would ask that the amendment of the gentleman from
South Carolina, MIR Blaze, be again read He
(Mr. II y feared that the amendment would exclude
some for whom provision was intended to be made
The CHAIRMAN announced the first question
to be on the amendment Of Mr.. BLACK.
Mr.. BURT demanded tellers.
Mr.. b. said he was sure that there was no dispo-
son 10 discuss any of the propositions in the
lutons. But he was sure also that the committee
would permit itself to be reminded that the effect OF
be most Prematurely to establish gigantic pension
system.
Il was the intention Of the committee that reported
these resolutions Of spprobation-of your gallant
army on the Mexican border-smply 10 express the
gratitude Of the country, and the thanks Of Congress
for their brilliant achievement on the Rio Grande.
will not Mr.. Chairman, discuss this question: but
do trust that this committee will permit itself TO
be reminded that 1t is a tribute Of the gratitude OF
the country TO that gallant army, which we at this
moment desire to pay; and trust that no other ques
ton connected with 1t will be entertained by the
committee.
Mr. JAMES A. BLACK said he had not offered
-
turely, and with elaboration. In the object Of the
resolution from the committee he did most heartily
concur, and the amendment which he offered was
but an extension Of the very principle laid down by
them. They proposed to give one months pay 10
the officers and soldiers OF our gallant army Of the
South in that he most cordially concuned; for no
man in this House was prouder the triumph they
have achieved than he was.
But it had been proposed all sides of the
House 10 raise the pay Of the common soldier 10
SO He had voted against It. Ii was a proposition
however, which received extensive support in
this House. Three months pay Of an infantry man
was s2l; three months of dragoon was s24 il
would therefore, for this year, make the pay Of a
Dragon $40, and of an infantry man s9--less than
had been proposed to allow TO all. His amendment
was TO give one years pay proper-not pay and
emoument. He had batted IN this House against
these extraordinary emouments allowed TO officers
He repeated he had not made this proposition
on the field of battle, he would have gone for it.
He was not for squandering money on the army in
discriminatory. He had, after mature reflection de-
termlned to offer this amendment to discriminate
and discriminate in favor Of those to whom the
gratitude Of the country was due.
Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS said, as a friend 10
the army, he rejoiced at the evidence now afforded
Of disposition in this House to deal Justly to feel
generously towards those to whom the honor of our
flag has been intrusted. Too often and too long
had we listened TO harsh and invidous reflections
upon our gallant little army, and the accomplished
officers who command it. partial opportunity
had been offered TO exhibit their soldery quail.
ties in their true light, and he trusted these asper.
slons were hushed-hushed now forever. As an
American, whose heart promptly responds to all
which illustrates national character and adds
new glory TO our national name he rejoiced with
exceeding Joy at the recent triumph OF our arms
Yet it is than he expected from the gallant
soldiers who hold our post upon the Rio Grande-
no more than, when occasion offers, they will
achieve again. Ii was the triumph of American
courage, professional skill and that patriotic pride
which blooms in the breast of our educated soldier
and which droops, not under the whitening scott OF
political reyllers
These men will feel, deeply feel the expression
of your gratitude 1t will nerve their hearts in the
hour Of future conflict, to know that their country
acknowledges and honors their devotion. Ii will
shed solace on the dying moments ofthose who
fall, to be assured their country mourns the loss
This ia the need for which the soldier bleeds and
dies. This he will remember long after the paIry
pittance Of one months extra pay has been forgot
ten.
Beyond this expression Of the nations thanks, he
liked the principle Of the proposition offered by the
gentleman from South Carolina. We have pen
sion system providing for the disabled soldier but
he seeks well and wisely to extend it to all who may
be wounded however slightly. 1t is reward offer
ed to those who seek for danger who first and fore
most plunge into the fight. Ii has been this incen.
tive, extended so as to cover all feats of gallanry
that has so often crowned the British arms with vic
tory and caused their prowess to be recognised in
every quarter of the globe. 1t was the sure and high
reward Of galany, the confident reliance upon their
natioEs gratitude, which led Napoeons armies over
Europe, conquering and to conquer; and it these
influences which, IN an earlier time, rendered the
Roman arms invincible and brought their eagle back
victorious from every land on which it gazed. Sir,
let not that earsmony, flor he did deem it econo-
N.Y. prevent us from adopting a system which in war
will add so much to the efficiency of troops Instead
OF seeking to fill the ranks of your army by ncrcas
ed pay, let the soldier feel that liberal pension will
relieve him from the fear of want in the event of dis
ability provide for his family in the event of DEATH
and that he wins his way to the gratitude and the re-
ward of his countrymen by perlling all for her hon
or in the field.
The achievement which we now propose to honor
is one which richly deserves it. Seldom, sir, in the
annals Of military history has there been one in
which desperate daring and military skill were
more happily combined. The enemy selected his own
ground, and united to the advantage of a strong
position numerical majority of three one. Driven
from his first prior position by attack in which it
is hard to say whether professional skill or manly
courage is to be more admired he retired and posted
his artillery on narrow defe, to sweep the ground
over which our troops were compelled pass. There
posted in strength, three times greater than our own
they waited the approach Of our gallant little army
General Taylor knew the danger and destution
Of the band he left to hold his camp opposite Mat
amoras, and he paused for no regular approaches;
but opened his field artillery, and dashed with
sword and bayonet or the foe A single charge left
him master of their battery, and the number of
slain attests the skill and disci pine of his army
Mr.. D. referred to gentleman, who, n short time
since upon this floor, expressed extreme dstrust in
our army, and poured out the walls of his denuncia-
ton upon the graduates of the Military Academy
He hoped now the gentleman will withdraw those
denuncations that now he will learn the value of
military science; that he will in the location the
construction, the defence of the Fashioned field
Matap he 81.