The Arkansas banner., 1847-08-16

shall, Holman and Finley whose ilI-late il was not to participate tn ths glories and dangers of Buena Vista who, though not among the fallen, have returned not with you; but who nevertheless deserve not the less honorable mention. They had been selected by the gallant and daring Major of your Regiment, and with some eighty others, also chosen. for their prowess, had been made sooner than they had wished, to visit, if not to revel in the halls of Montezumas.
 Had 1t been your fortunes, as 1t was the fate of the volunteers from some other States, to return without fting gun at the enemy, yet the fatigue and prIvaiions which you endured, the readiness and alacrity which you displayed on all occasions, would have entitled yon io the thanks and gratitude of your countrymen. But a higher and prouder distinction awaited you; you were permitted to fight under the immediate eye of the invincible conqueror, who had so recently risen from Colonelship, command ing peace establishment within your own country, to the highest rank in our gallant Army.
 The glory won by the Arkansas regiment was not without sufficient loss to clothe many family in mourning. On the bloody field of Bu.na Vista, sleep twenly-three b,aye spiri,s--many of whom knew not the fate of the day-enjoyed no, the victory which they had half won. The testimony of their daring and courage, is the most healing balm which can be offered to the friends ani relatives who mourn, rather the loss of themselves and country than Of those who fell. Among those who left their homes in the fitness of hope, and with the buoy ancy of youth, who endured every privation without a murmur-but whose youth and fond affections,--never yet embiltered by the reverses of life, or eslranged by sharing with other objects,--wouId naturally cause them to cast many a sigh back 10 the sacred fire sides of home,--happy homes, to which they expected to return with the proud con- sciousness, that they had already added 10 the we'll earned distinction of their families were two young men.-tiarmon Wynn and Darwin Steward. But the God of bat ties willed that parents ,or "iriends, or sacred homes no more should they behold i"-- Amidst the fierce charge-the roar of the cannon-the clang of arms-the hand to hand engagement with the bold lancers, Steward and Wynn fell; the latter with self sacrificing, Spartan courage, freely laying down his own life to save that of his daring captain. We may not speak of their last thoughts. But if any would doubt, that if die they must, that of all other dissolutions they preferred the soldiers grave, let them for moment contemplate the fates of poor Pope, Walters, Forester, Harris, the other Harmon Wynn, Campbell, Nesbitt, Fears, Bone Taylor, Howell, and Estes, who, at Saltillo, Monclova, and Patos, had sunk by slow disease and destroying fever. A great Orator has recently, truly said: ''lt is easy to die in battle. The spirit is stirred to a courageous madness, by the rushing squad- rons, the roaring cannons, and ihe clashing steel. All the fierce instincts of our nature are aroused, and the soldier seeks for death as the bridegroom seeks his bride. Besides,
 Fame is there to tells who becds,
 And honor's eye on daring deeds
 But to waste away in sickness, to be crushed by the blows of an unseen enemy, with whom you cannot grapple, 10 know death is approaching slowly but surely; to feel that your name will occupy no place on the bright scroll of fame; thus, without any of the pride and rapture of the strife, to meet bravely the inevitable tyrant, is the highest test of the soldiers courage, the noblest proof of the patriots devoiion.o
 While then we will shed tears ''fast and free" for those who fell in the strife, "honor immortal honor to the brave who fell not on the battlefield, but belole the shafts of disease"
 Gentlemen Volunteers:
 There was also one full of enthusiastic ambition, and Roman patriotism, whom 6y your free choice, you placed m your com mand, who returns moi with you. need not ask you, need ask no citizen of this coun- try or State, why comes he not to this feast to-day. Tine glorious tidings of the brilliant achievements of Buena Vista, were, from the first accompanied with a mournful tale, which mingled sorrow with all your joy.
 We were told of Santa Annals defsat,- but we read in the same paragraph, that the impetuous Yell had--while bravely charg- ing al the head of his regiment-fallen- mingling his blood with that of brave Mckee, intrepid Hardin, chivalrous Clay, and gallant Porter. While the ground was thus con- secra,ed by the blood of themselves and compeers, their spirits had ascended 10 the God of battles. who justly lnetes out the soldiers, as well as the chris.ian's reward.
 Col Yell, the Patriot, the Statesman, and the Solder-whose whole life had been given 10 his country; who in early youth had won the proud distinction and praise of that man of worldwide fame, the Immortal Jackson, for his gallant bearing before the old Hero, in the fierce carnage of Indian warfare;--who Ill all the high stations of civil life had been loved by the citizens of Arkansas, and honored with their highest confidence, will mingle with us no more in our councils, in the social relations or in the family circles. But his memory will be held sacred by every generous mind, who can ap- preciate the value of whole life given to