Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-04-16


March, ls days after the banie Of BuESA VISTA.
The intelligence had not of course, reached
Albany at that time, but it is somewhat amusing
to read the rather hair-splitng objection of Sem
ator FoIsoM, that Gen. Wool "had not been en-
gagged in any battle! We rather Aater our.
selves he HAD!
Generals TAYLOR, Wool and WORTH, as fol-
lows
Resolved. Nf the Assembly concurl. Tint in the
Judgment otths legislature the thanks Of the People of
the United States are due to Major General ZACHARY
TAyLoR, Major General WILLIAM j. WORTH, and
Brigadier General lonN f. Wool, and the officers
and soldiers under their command for tine iortude,
skill and bravery they have displayed i'll the discharge
OF their responsible duties, aud by their brilliant
; achievements in the war with Mexico
}, The resolutions having been read,
Mr. CLARK said Mr. President, | am not call
ed upon at this time to make speech this resou-
ton. When the resolutions OF the assembly were re-
ferred TO the military committee OF the Senate, we pro-
posed amendments to them in detail, upon the suppo-
sition that the committee could not propose a subst-
tute like this, without seeming dlscourtesy TO the
; House. When they were brought up here for consd
erntion, | then proposed this substitute as in my
opinion, good taste required tina, we should say in
few plain and emphatic words, what we meaat That
substitute is now before the Senate. In reference TO
Generals TAYBaR and WORTH, il is obvious vt once,
why these resolutions have been introduced. They
have become conspicuous in The achievements Of our
arms in Mexico, and thus attained a prominence
. which has ca He'd the public attention to them Gen
Wool has not been so fortunate to participate in
those achievements which have rendered the other
gentlemen personally prominent But | desire to
say that in my estimation Gen. Wool is fully cnti-
tied to receive the thanks of this people the other
gentlemen named General Wool was in the army of
1872 and is native citizen OF this State. He enter
ed the army quite young, uneducated as soldier and
! inexperienced in war all the younger officers at
that time He was ordered on the northern from
tier, and as will be recolected by every person whose
memory runs back to tina. period operations pre-
viousy to October, 1912, had beena continued sue
cession, almost of disgrace TO arms. Gen. Hull
had inglorousy surrendered one army, and General
Smyth, who commanded portion of the north
em army, had not fulfilled the public expectation, and
on our immediate northern frontier constant
attended every effort In this condition Of affairs it
was deemed absolutely necessary in order to stop the
charges of cowardce and treason upon our officers
and soldiers, and induce proper feeling to prose-
cute the war that some brilliant effort should be
made TO raise the character OF the army in the estima
ton OF the people, and in degree to wide out the
national dshonor OF that campaign
Accordingly General Stephen Van Rensselaer,, who
had been ordered to take command OF the New Ior k
militia, on its northwestern frontier, and who had
established his head quarters at Lewiston, proposed to
storm Fort George and Queenson Heights and after
some delay on the 18th OF October 1872, orders
given to carry this proposition into effect so far
make an attack on Queens,on Heights, and 1t. Col.
Van Rensslaer, aid camp 10 the General, and 1t.
Col Cryse, were TO have commanded the first de-
taclment of six hundred regulars and militia, who
mcnt reached the Niagara river they found boats su
Gent for about one half the number only and Col
Van Rensselaer, with about one hundred OF his detac
mcnt and three companies OF Chrystie's command,
Capts Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong, embarked,
and landed the British side OF the river UNI
der heavy fire from the enemy.
COL Chrystic not having crossed with his part of the
detachment, the command OF tie three companies OF
the 18th regiment devoyed Capt Wool, and never
did young officers and men more bravey and gallant
y bear themselves than did this command The at
N he wi
commanded by Capt. Wool, almost every commiss-
9nrd officer was wounded and large proportion of
shot through both thighs, and Captains Malcolm and
Armstrong were both wounded.
Col Van Rensselaer, who personally led the the 9TH
er wing was several times wounded, and only four
officers IN the 18th escaped injury hut the enemy
were driven back the heights by the determined and
obstinate bravery OF this gallant band At this poin,
the enemy made stand which they were determined
10 maintain,
In this position our gnilan, little band were com
PEELED, III order to escape murderous fire that was
cutting them down, TO descend the bank the beach
of the river. Here Cap, Wool sougb, for Van Reno,
scacr, whom he found exhausted from the loss of blood
and PROSTATE oil the ground. The expected reinforce
mcnts did not arrive, m. to remain any time where
they were, was certain destruction TO al The only
hope was III an effort to storm the heights and al
ter little hesitation on the part Of Col V. r. TO
trust so hazardous all enterprise TO young officer,
he gave the order to Capt Wool to undertake it, al
though Capt w and most oihis officers were severe
the importance of the object, gave them strength, and
most bravely did they execu,eit The British forces
were driven from the battery down the heights, and
the rising shone upon the American flag on the
heights oi Qucenston, proclaming victory.
This gallant and biave act redeemed our young
officers and soldiers from the charges which had been
proiuse made otcowardice and reachery but they
were too few in numbert retain the advantages they
had so brilliantly gained
Sir Isaac Brock, one of the odes, and bravcst of the
British generals heard at Fort George the thunder of
a..
bned forces Of regulars, militia and Indians that
post, Immediately marched to Qnccns,on, and made
an attack with such impetuosily, that for n few mo-
ments little band wavered and rcceded. In this
moment of peril, some hand raised white flag which
meeting the eye ofCapt Wool, was by him torn down
and tramped on the ground and by desper tie effort
forces down the heights. In this conjuncture Gen
Brock rushed among his men, saying TO them-"'rhis
is the frs, time have seen the 4yth turn their backs
to the enemy" lie succeeded in ralying them, and
in leading them personally to the charge, this brave
and accomplished officer, was shot dead at the head
Of his forces. This produced panic and confusion in
his ranks, and precpitate retreat followed.
1t is not necessary for me, Mr. President to follow
this further it is matter ofhisory Suffice i, to saw
thu, this was the commencement OF those brian,
achievements that afterwards gave 10 country he
: roes and honor, and TO our government confidence
and success. have referred 10 these matters MIR.
President merely to show, the commencement of Cap
tain (now GencraD WooPs military life. 1t has CON
tinued an honor to hlmssl and an ornament to his
country There are other brave pames that should he
p mentioned in this connection, but cannot do, 80
without, pernap, being charged with departing from
tine particular object had in reference it but
beg to say that the names Of Lieutenant since Col
! OF dragoonsl kearney, Ogyie iIugunn Carr Sam
] mons Reid. Gansevoort, Randolph, Lent Valcau
and Morris, deserve place on the roll OF fame fol
for their gaantry and bravery in this splendid achieve
ment.
| Gen Wool was afterwards OF the battle OF Platts
burg where with his small detachment of regulars he
did great service in CHECKING and elarding the march
OF the British forces, until the Americans prepa-
red receive them-and hr there fully sustained the
aurels he had woa at Queenson. He has been in the
army from that time to this, and has become one o.
the accomplished officers in the service, perhap:
= the best taccinn in the army. While in France io
= the purpose OF obtaining the Improvements there made
in military science, his character as gentleman anc
q soldier secuupd him the attention OF the most nc
It conplished military OF the nation. lie has beer
for about % years Inspector General of the Army Of
the United States and in the various positions which
e he has filled he has acquitted himself with credit Ant
>, when ordered by the government from his post
Troy to enter at once into service at the west he re
- CURED no weeks OF preparation but lew hours SUN
ced linn. He received his orders towards evening
T. and started on his way the next morning IN pursu
ace OF orders he moved from state TO state, TO orga
ME the volunteer troops aud in six weeks he had or
~ ganled 10000 men. lie them led large force
u through march OF nearly 900 miles, with despatc
- and success beyond any march in the Mexican wal
IL mny De SAID that he was in severe action, but
nd was ptooany owing IN great degree TO the skill
wnlch ne possessed and the ability which he excrci
j. sed IN that long march, 6O0 miles of il through
at enemys country, and through large towns that hi
result was attained. And when ne finally effected
I'd junction with Cen Worth after ,bs ycr, mach g