The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-10-13
THE GALLANT VOLUNTEERS,

or Of ORDER riotous, refractory, and lnefhcient.
Some Of the federal papers alleged that 1t was
impossible for them to do serious service; and
TO invade an ensmys country with such materials,
was ridiculous Let the three days battles in
ing the entertainments and the town of Monterey
give the answer. Gen. Taylor, in his rapid but
expressive dispatches, does them justice. All the
private letters also which have been published speak
ofther heroic courage, and their military efficiency
They have already earned, by their services, dis
tingushed name, and covered their country with
additional glory. They have Wed with the regu-
lars and certainly there no better troops in the
world than our regular soldiers. We have therefore
to be proud ofour volunteers, and with the bril-
liant feats al Monterey their fame will be inseparably
associated. Europe will estimate the value of their
achievements and she, too, will how strong
we in possessing such mass Of citizen soldiers
They have shed their bsod before Monterey
freely, and many gallant soldier fell upon the
field. Among these is Col. Watson, who com
manded the regiment Of Baltimore. They have
proved themselves worthy OF the "Mon umenta
city.n He FELL 1t is said, at the head Of his regi-
ment The following extract of letter, in the Bat-
more Sun, gives some interesting particulars about
It's officers;
"our brave Colonel Watson has been killed. and
the command has devoved on our gallant and
spirited Captain James Il. Steuart, (son Of the late
Colonel Williams Steuart, formerly mayor Of Bat-
more, who fought ike tiger; at one time he was
attacked by five Mexioans. He lost his sword, but
knocked one fellow down with his hst, and seized
his musket with which he knocked down three more
Of the Ave with the but, and bayoneted them on the
SPOT.
al ;ent Repi,nnin Ferpuson Owen Ison Of our
esteemed fellow-townsman, Capt. William Owen,
Of North Charles street, also fought with galantry
He led 80 men without the loss Of man up TO the
yeiy mouths Of the l2-pounders, which he sienced
and took.
s'our loss is about men killed, and from 10 to
u wounded, and they are being carried in every
moment.
seen. Taylor has warmly complimented Capt.
Steuart and Lieut.. Owen.
"Poor Watson was killed at the head of his regi
mentn
The death Of Col Watson has called forth the
most affecting tributes to his merits and his memo
ry in Baltimore. We cannot fill our columns better
than by defeating portion Of them to tho follow
ing eloquent testimony in honor Of his virtues and
his death:
From this mornings Baltimore Clipper.
The DEATH OF Col. WArsoN-PRocEEp NGs oF
THE couRTs.-The death of this valuable and gal.
our entire community, and we hear but senti-
ment expressed, that Of unfegned regret at the
toward event In the city and county yester-
day morning, no business was transacted and after
the announcement Of the untimely death Of Colonel
Watson, both adjourned. The following were the
proceedings on the occasion:
ain the city court, Immediately on its being open,
ed, George r. Richardson, esq attorney general Of
the State and addressed the court TO the fol-
lowing effect evidently greatly affected his voice
being tremulous with emotion:
"May il please your honor Since the last day :.
sitting Of this tribunal another collision of ha,
taken place between the American and Mexican ar
mics. The achievements Of the 2ls, 22d, and 23d
of last month, equal those of any war; and although
we thought the battles Of Palo Alto and Resaca do
Ia Palma, glorious victories, they are ecpsed by
that of laat month. The desperate carnage Of tn,
last and loss of life, far exceeds those, and Of then
We have Just mourn; in the battle of the Stf
of May, the gallant Major Ringgold paid the debt o
nature, but in this we have lost Colonel William III
Watson He was well known here to the court ant
the BARN his character as d lawyer no man ex
ceeded Col. Watson. OF great activity of character
If warm and generous heart, he was PECULIAR
fitted for the bar; of undoubted courage and bravery
and love OF military reputation he was peculiarly
qualified for solder-ths was his great desire, anC
he has paid his life for the love of his country. o
Col. Watson it was unnecessary to speak; he wal
his friend, and in consideration Of the public loss h,
now moved the adjournment of this court
"The court, through Judge Brice, expressed the
appreciation of the character of Colonel Watson
and he fell in battle, fighting for the country, thu
court sincerely regretted his loss, and would orde
the adjournment of the court until Thursday morn
ing. Such show of respect, was duty the cour
owed to those who risk their lives for their country
and was due to the character of Col. Watson, al
well as the feelings of the members of the bar.
"The court accordingly dourned until Thurs
day morning, previous to which Mr.. Richardson
stated that meeting of the bench and bar would be
held in the afternoon at 4 O'Clock, in the county
court room, in order to pay proper tribute of re-
spect 10 the memory Of the deceased.
ain the county court, few moments after ii was
opened, Mr. Richardson again arose, and in sub
stance as follows, addressed the court:
"Will your honors permit me to ask of you that
the county court do row ADJOURN Since we have
Hast met together, news has reached us of another
battle between the American ard Mexican armies
Another victory has been obtained, but at the cost
of much blood; at the cost of the lives of those we
all mourn.
"The battles of the 9th and 9th of May were
brilliant, but those of the 2lst, god, and 23d Of last
month, will far excel in brancy of action, in dea-
perate daring, and in noble deeds, the others. In
those we have cause to mourn the death of Colonel
William FL. Watson. d member of this bar, of nc
ordinary standing, of great moral worth, of undo
niabe courage. As menb Der of this bar, we al
knew him--he was peculiarly his friend
F# "When he len his profession to give his services
to his country, all who knew him, knew he would
do his country honor; and if in the battles of those
days, he was placed in situation where he had an
opportunity, we know he has done honor to him,
self to his native city, and the State Col. Watson
has represented the city of Baltimore in her councils
and in the State legislature was one who has dis,
tinguished himself; and was it under such circum-
stances asking too much for this court to adjourn
What were the feelings of his wife and children,
could scarcely be imagined, at his untimely death
lie therefore again asked the court to adjourn in
memory of his DEATH"
'Judge Archer, on the part of the court, replied
as follows
"The announcement Of the death Of our late
townsman and professional brother has been re-
ceved by the court with feelings such an event is
calculated to inspire. Col. Watson known to
a gentleman Of high character in all his rea-
tiens-social and professional.
GAS man OF courage and patriotic ardor, he was
prominently distinguished in the opinion of all
who knew him; and in surrendering his life in de-
fence of his country's honor, he achieved in his
death another brilliant page for its history Sympa-
thising sincerely with the profession in their be.