The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-28

member of this House Less than six months ago you
sent into the field some twehtysix regiments ned win
high hope ready 10 peril wealth and reputation, and life,
not in defensive, but in an invasive war, mol Tor Their
homes and their hearths, but Tor the honor oil
the American name, and the glory OF the American
arms Alas, how many OF those who never saw battle
who never cast stern glance upon any ioeman IN The
fedhow many OF these sleeping their Last sleep on
the banks OF the Rio Grandfather bosoms heayed with
high hopeght was their measured footsteps when they
went to seek the foe. But
'They did not fall in eager strife
Upon a wel-lought field;
Not from the red wound poured their life,
Where covering ioenen Yields
Tn archanges shade slowly cast
Upon each paid brow,
But, calm and fearless to the last
They sleep securely now y
There are the bones OF nearly two thousand men, with
the best blood OF this country now resting on the banks OF
the Rio Grande, who enemy--neyer had
an opportunity to strike that blow which they desired
for their country and their For this am Inclined
at this moment at least, to blame nobody II is almost
impossible to appreciate properly the difficulties OF any
campaign al least It is almost impossible for those who
sit at in their homes to do but most OF all
is impossible TO appreciate the difficulties OF cam
paign IN an unknown country, with sckly climate,
and in unprepare1 condition. The regiment with
which have been associated went the field with eight
hundred and thirty men, young hearty, gallant aiven-
turous young men, Five hundred OF them, at least, were
young men who either lived in their own homes, ac
qulred by their own labor or resided in the domestic
circle Of their fathers in the condition OF life. Seven
hundred of them could have earned at home more
than three times as much as the government
could promise them. Sir, of these eight hun
drei, nearly one hundred sleep upon the banks of
that doleu river wnst more than two hundred have
turned shadows and skeletons TO hnd If Providence
wills II, in the embraces OF their friends and the kindness
of the domestic circle, that renovation which shattered
frames and broken spirits much require What is true
OF that regiment true OF others II is true OF the other
illinois reglment is true OF the Tennessee regiment
il is true OF the Kentucky regimen is true OF the Ala
bama regimcn-t is true OF the Indiana regiment Sir,
il is true OF every regiment that has spread It's tents the
banks OF the Rio Grande. They fell victims to the dis
eases incident TO the climate the waters, the change OF
food and hundred other things which Cypress and de-
press the brave men who have sought glory in that
field. | mention these things not by way Of re-
proach-not by way OF complaint Sir, | should be
unworthy TO be the representative OF the brave men
who requested me for once to raise my voice here,
il | would condescend to complain. What they have
done they have done for love Of country, for glory
Chung, and u hundred others have acquired They
have done ii that they might be honored whilst they
lived ahhened when they died, and remembered after
Bnt representative OF the people, may be permitted
10 sayand speak not now as volunteer oihcer-that
it is cold blooded cruelty, if prevent it,
pose your gallant soldiers to such pers those which
have described, when immediate and united action could
evade them. am not now called upon to discuss the
question how these additional troops shall be raised
am not called upon now to discuss the question how the
money can be supplied If the question asked all
sides OF this Hall would be heard the exclamation The
United States raise all the and all the money
that needed" understand that Pennsylvania is ready
with more men, Illinois has already sent three thousand
young men; but she send three thousand and
| If any gentleman hestates, | ask what is to be
IL
to be peace How is peace to be made' Is it to be
made by advancing, or by receding' Are to go for
ward, we to retire In Gods name, If we are to
retire, let retire now But if 10 conquer peace,
why not next April, rather than next September? Will
it require money to send out thirty thousand men
than TO send out twice fifteen thousand men to with
er beneath that burning sun ask, then, with all the
earnesness OF my nature, whatever else you doupon
whatever other subject you may diher-whether you
blame the wings for not supporting the war, or the dem
ocrats for rushing into unnecessarily and unseason
ably-however you may differ on these points | ask
| you, in the name OF those who have sufered-those
who willing 10 fght-those now fighting your
battles in a foreign land-in their name | ask
you to send them -subsistence-sup-
port-munitions Of war-supplles. Let them be ena-
your banner the citadel of Mexico And If were to
venture prediction at ALL would say that the is to
be ended gloriousy to the American and TO the
American name by the end of April next, or it is to be
interminabe. For myself confess that am of
those who suppose that nation is very easily conquered
| think it was Madame de Stael who said-he distin-
gushel gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.. RHETT, ]
who knows everything such Subjects set right
If am misaken-l think 1t was she who said "a ma
ton true to itself never was conquered Mexico claims
population of eight millions, scattered over country
difficult to advance in and more easily defended
than any country know of in the world. They have a
climate that fights for them Even the very scantiness
of the products of the soil is in their favor Mexican
soldier gets fat upon that Which an American SOL
der would starve Their horses want food. Every
e e
stand me to speak literally when | say that Mexican
horses do not need any food. IA laughl Ii necessary
| will make a, personal explanation on that subject
Laughter But they used to the scanty foragng
of that country, that they live upon "range"as
we call it in the western counry--where American
horses would die. Mr.. Chairman, the Mexican national
feeling is kindling up confess sir, am very doubtful
as to the result if that country be defended il
ought to be, and as. 1t may be defended unless
that now adequate force, and full supplies, be sent
into the field. But | of one thing, that the
sentiment of the American people, and the Ameri-
can army, is for short, sudden, brilliant WARRIOR
advance-constant, triumphant, unceasing advance.
speak for the regiment with which | am associated-l
speak for the whole volunteer army, when that he
brave who have pcrlled strength and health, and
life ITSELF in the valley OF the Rio Grande without hav
ing enemy desire war They pant for battle, ana
them that they shall be able wisely and prudently
the advance before their twelve months shall ex
pire. They desire to strike at least hard blow be-
fore they return to their homes Permit to observe
Mr. Chat rman, that Independent entirely OF this ques
ton of raising troops at home your regular and volun
teer army not only desire, but deserve-ah far de-
than desire but both desire and deserve more
support aid, and comfort than they have yet received
your hands believe that is true that at the other END
| of the Capitol proposition has been made to give
the army three months extra pay in advance Sir, hope
it will be done. If had any choice upon that subject
should certainly act the conviction that would be fai
more preferable to them-far useful to them-nay
far more necessary to receive that than prospectve
in any shape whatevar. Many of the volunteer regiments
have not been paid in six months. 1t nearly six
months before the Illinois regiments paid. When
they paid private received at the rate OF dol
lars per month"; and yet compelled often to purchase
such articles could be procured only at the
bitant prices. | have the gallant young man. who
hal Al