Tri-weekly journal., 1847-07-08
Thursday Morning, July sth, ls47.
RETURN OF THE VOLUNTEERS.


company OF the late Capt. VIM. Walker arriv-
ed here in the steamboat Empire, on the even
ing of the 9th inst. They were commanded by
Capt. Washington Peck. They brought with
them, as guard of honor, the body of their
late commander. On the morning of the 18th
inst, they delivered the body which they had
in charge to the committee designated by the
citizens of this county, to make arrangements
for its burial hare. On which occasion c. /.
Battell as Chairman, delivered to them in be-
half of the committee the following address:
Gentlemen: Indiana Volunteers of the u.
u. Army of Mexico, and now guard of honor
over the remains of the late Captain William
Walker. AT the request Of the citizens of this
county, and by permission of your distinguish
ed General, Joseph Lane, you have brought from
Buena Vista, that it may be here inferred, the
body OF your late commander. 1t seemed fit
ting to them that where his family reside, and
the friends who knew him best, his mortal re-
mains should rest. We knew when we en-
trusted this duty TO you, that it would be per-
formed with fidelity and that as in life, he had
defended you and you him, his body would be
safe in your keeping. We intend after it has
reposed awhile among his relatives, at his late
residence, and as soon as they shall permit, to
perform over il the last sad funeral rites. For
that occasion an orator has been appointed
who will do justice to the memory of
the deceased and that of your brave comrades
who fell by his side. This, therefore, is
not the proper time in which to speak of his
virtues but cannot refrain from saving that
no age furnishes an example of more gallant
and chivalrous conduct, than was displayed by
your commander on the field of Buena Vista.
We are informed. that on the evening of the
22nd of February, your company, together
with others, were detached from the Indiana
regiments to form a rifle battalion, and were
placed under the command of Major German on
mountain height, for the purpose of defend
ing the left of your army that on the morning
of the 23d in consequence of the approach of a
very superior force Of the enemy, you were or
dered to remove from that position and take
another more suitable for defence. In obeying
this order your company scorned to take any
other but the direct course, though led through
path full of danger. TWAS in this perilous
march, pressed down by an overwhelming force
of the Mexican troops many ofyour brave band
fell, and among others Mr.. Higinbottom, in
attempting to rescue him from the foe, he whose
body you have now in charge was slain. We
are told on this occasion the force opposed to
you was as 10 to one-that Capt. Walker in
this heroic struggle received sixteen wounds
that when his noble spirit left its tenement his
sword was still firmly grasped for defence. He
fought while life lasted-for his fellow soldier
and for his country he willingly gave up his
life. Friendship can make no greater sacrifice
patriotism can do no more.
We intend hereafter to erect monument
over the grave of the deceasedS on which hi:
name and the names ofall those who fell at Blu
ena Vista, belonging to your company, shall b.
inscribed. We do this not becaus. we thinl
il necessary in this manner to preserve thC
fame of the brave dead-our object rather is, tina
bul lltIle 10 ltleY IeaU
names of those there engraven, may be inspir
ed by it to emulate the example of their valien
countrymen.
Gentlemen-It is now nearly year since a
the call Of your country, you left these bank
10 do service in Mexico. Many of your com
panions who were then with you are now II,
more. Some have persisted BY sickness, other
on the field of battle. Various are the vcissitde
during your absence through which you hav
passed-you have been exposed to sickly eli
mate-you have endured the privations of
camp-liie, among an enemy watching for you
destruction. History will record no feat {
arms more glorious than Buena Vista, in whic
glory you participated. All this you hav
done, that we, your countrymen, might be sc
cure, and our nation honored and respected
We most cordially welcome you home. Ma
you long live to enjoy amongus, the fame whic
with so much toll and danger YOU have acquil
ed. And in behalf of the committee to whic
the citizens of this county delegated the duty {
making arrangements 10 bring here for sepul