Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-07-31
A JUST TRIBUTE

We are indebted TO military friend for The fol-
Of Lieut.. Blake, prior TO the battle Of Palo Alto.
II is communicated in letter TO distinguished
officer, from one whose gallantry on The same field
merits the highest praise. Our intelligent friend
states that it will be difficult to find recorded a
more daring and brilliant military feat. 1t was,
moreover, al-important to the successful opera
lions of the army, 10 obtain the specific and accu-
rate information which was brought back by Lieu
,enlan, B. Can the mind conceive more hero.
ic ac,2 Alone, within mnsketshot OF the Mexi-
cans, he coolly rode along the enemys line, stop.
ping al times and taking deliberate and tho
rough observation OF their numbers, and even the
size Of their guns!
His fate was truly melancholy. II would have
been noble death, had he been allowed 10 she'd
his blood On The battlefield in defence OF his coun-
uy's honor and welfare-but he fell by his own
hand, through singular accident. We learn,
that as he moved off rapidly TO make his bold and
successful reconnaissance Of the Mexican army
he los, one OF his pistols. On his return, he found
ii on the road, and il was this same pistol which,
as he was examining it in his tent, accidentally
went off and killed him. He was a native OF
Penusylvania-an honor 10 The army and a great
iavorile with officers and men,
1t is though, that the Mexcans did not fire up
on him, because they did not desire to make The
frs, fire. As soon as Gen. Taylor received the
desired information from Blake, ne moved on the
troops. The Mexicans finding the American
army approaching loo near, "opened" upon Them,
and the glorious victory Of Palo A Ito was achev-
ed by our arms:
"Yonr proper appreciation Of the high social
and professional qualities OF our lamenled com.
rade, Lieutenant J. E. Blake. of the Topographic
cal Engineers, will, am sure, render the follow
ing account OF the bold and important reconnois-
sance, made by him in The field OF Falo Alto, ac-
ceplabe and interesting to you.
1.-THE enemy's line OF baule was formed, when
our columns halted previously TO the formation Of
our own line Lieut.. Blake dashed off from the
right Of our position 10 within musket shot of the
enemy's left; be then dsmouned, and with his
field glass counted the number Of men in one OF
the squadrons, from which he accurately estma-
ted his entire cavalry force; ne then remounted,
and galloped from left 10 right OF The enemys
line, stopping from time TO time, and carefully o.
serving the disposition oil his infantry, as well as
the position, number and size Of his field guns;
all of which important information was fully
verified by the subsequent events OF The day. His
conduct, during The entire progress of the bal!le
of Palo Alto, won for him the admiration OF The
whole army.
"His daring reconnaissance, viewed as an act
Inappropriate personal gallanlry, was ansurpass-
ed on either Of our glorious days, and in my own
estimation it had no equal amongst the many il
may become the pleasing task of history to re-
cord
at may afford some consolation 10 the absent
friends and relations OF this distinguished young
officer in their deep affection, to be assured, that
whilst his gallanlrv and professional services
merited and gained for him the admiration OF his
comrades, his untimely death was mourned by
all who were associated with him on this melan.
| chnly occasion"