Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-31

Next week hope Congress will commence
workout fear there viii be more ialkiag
than working Butnous geryons.
Yours, sc. SUMMERS.
resent = yes Illness of senator Bar
row OF Louisiana.
WAsHNGToN, Monday night II O'clock.
December 2Sth, 1876
james f. Ste,cdrt, Esq
This has been most interesting day, and
cannot refrain from sending you sketch of
the proceedings Of Congress by the mornings
mail, in hopes that it may reach you in time
for publication this week. My object in wri-
ting 10 night is to lay before you sketch Of
the speech Of Col BAKER, of Illinois, whom
you will remember left his seat in Congress
some months ago, after the battles of the Sth
and 9th of May, and returned home and rails
ed Regiment of Volunteers, 10 the Colonelcy
Of which he was appointed, and proceeded 10
Mexico and formed part Of the column IN
der the command Of Gen. WooL. Mr.. BA-
KEE mas returned TO Congress and resumed his
seat temporarily, but will leave again in few
days for the Army He is a glorious fellow
a thorough going Wing and an eloquent Spea-
ker-I had occasion last winter frequently 10
call your attention 10 him.
The House was in Committee Of the Whole
and Mr. Sausage SAWYER Of Ohio, was enti-
tied to the floor, and addressed the Committee
for an hour IN a real war speech-seasoned
higher than any sausage the House have had
since the commencement OF the Session, but
no body seemed disposed 10 take a bite Of but
Mr.. GIpDNGs, as all were more DESTROYS of
getting at the dish expected 10 be served up BY
Col. BAKER, to whom all yielded the floor
He thanked the House for the floor and re-
turned his Acknowledgements TO all those anx-
ious to address the House for giving way TO
him, that he might address few words 10
them, before he took his departure On his re-
turn TO the army in Mexico. He felt hum
bled and abashed when he reflected how little
he had done 10 deserve this compliment. He
wished the gallant DAVIS Of Miss, who had
resigned his seat here, and joined the army,
stood in his place-he had bravey fought the
battles of his country, and his name was now
gloriously identified with the storming of Mon
terey. Ii he were here 10 receive the congratu.
latlons and praise which he had so molly won,
the House would have more fitting object. on
whom to bestow their kindness-ior himself
he could pretend to no merit. Ii had been his
evil fortune 10 be left far in the rearof the war.
mot being with Gen. TAYLoR's forces. } and if
now, he yenturcd 10 say few words for those
with whom he was associated -whether those
who CALAMITY sustained the fortunes Of their
country IN the bloody streets of Monterey, or
those who, encountering still Steiner fate,
had been forced 10 die on the Banks OF the Rio
Giraude--he begged the House 10 believe that
while II was a pleasant task TO endeayor 10 aid
them IN that House, IL was, on the other hand,
painful TO stand there, as he did, after six
months service, deserving no credit and as de
string yet to receive no reward.
He SAID he did not design to take any part
IN the controversy which had been gong on
between the political parties of the House for
some days past-toa portion Of which contro-
yerSy he had listened with no little asionish-
ment. He could not see wha, mobS in Ohio,
and the nature of the vote by which Repre-
sentanves in the next Congress had been cleo
ted, had TO do with the important considera
tons now before the House and the Country
The men who had gallantly fought at Monte
rev, and had survived the fierce assaults of dis
ease on the Rio Grande, little dreamed that
Congress was fritering away their time in
useless and partzan debate, while they Were
eagerly looking 10 the front for the foe, and for
succor from their friends at home. He thought
Congress must be ignorant OF the true condi
ton ofthings in Mexico, and therefore he deem
ed II his duty 10 tell II 10 them. In the first
place the Army in Mexico needed more men
and more money, and needed them Roie. He
estimated the forces now in the field, including
TYLoR's column, WooL's column, and the
divisions under BUTLER and PATTERSON, at
| 500 effective fighting men. He then des
tIr1 ~ g J., 4
by our forces, the places 10 be garrisoned, and
the heavy demands which must be met in con
sequence of the great extent of lines of com
muncation to be kept up. These various de-
mands could not be met from an Army Of
| 600 or 1900 men. He then spoke Of the
Mexican Army, and declared that they Were
better prepared for war now than when they
commenced-they were more na,onaZed.
and fully persuaded that their country could
never be successfully invaded and conquered
by the u. States. The Mexican Army mum
bered $4,000 efficient and well drilled troops,
full Of enthusiasm and determination to make
desperate stand for their hearthS aud their
homes. We must have force to meet them.
and that force at once, so that short and sud
den war can be thrown upon the foe. The
war ought 10 be ended by the last Of april
next, and could be if energy and determine
non upon the part Of the U. States was resort
ed TO-
The nine Regiments now called FOR was not
a 1.-THE of what ought to be called lor--six
months ago rs Regiments went INTO the field
haze and hearty men-more than 2tD0 o.
them now slept in death upon the Rio C;rande
died without seeing the face of an enemy
victims to disease incident to the climate
want Of water-change Of food, &c. MANY,
very many, too, had returned to Their friends
emaciared and broken down in health-mere
shadows Of what they were. If the war was
10 be prosecuted, and he did not doubt it, it
must be done with energy--if not, the Army
had better be withdrawn at once The men
and money could be obtained, and il would
cost the Government no more to send a force
OF $4,000 men at once into the field than to
send $4,000 now aud $1,000 al another time
and indeed no, as much, as the sooner the war
was ended the better and The less expensive it Z
would be. lie said the Government should
not lnllct such cruelty on It's eitizen soldiery as
10 cause them to endure another campaign in
Mexico during the sickly season when the