Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-02

there Of straw, when would they get there
And when they did arrive, how many would they be able
to concentrate to be added to those who make ad
vance to the city Of Mexico whether they went by the south
route by way Of Vera Cruz the other by the way
San Luis Poosi Mr. b said he understood from authority
on which he believed he might rely that Santa Anna had
this time about 25, 600 men, well drilled andin high state
of military preparation. The clergy, the landhoders the
men OF the old revolution and above all, the Mexican
men, seemed kinded into high of patriotic enthusiasm
and burning to meet and to repe the invaders.
Then there another thing which ought be well con-
sdered Whatever the advance of forces be
made during this coming winter the must be obvi-
Less than six months ago Congress had into the
field many wenysx regiments of volunteers all burn
ing with the most exalted hopes and ready peril their ALL
health reputaton life ITSELF defensive but in an in
vasiye not undertaken defend their own homes
and iresdes but for the glory of the American and
arms. Alas how many OF these fine young men, who had
battle had their stern glance the
countenance of enemy, sleeping their last sleep
the banks Of the Rio Grande Once their heart heaved
high with soldiers ondes hopes proud and light had been
their measured footsteps they marched in all the buoy
OF youthful ambition. But
ssWhere rolls the rushing Rio Grande,
How peacefully they sleep
They did not fall in bloody strife,
Upon n well-iought field.
Not from the red wound poured their life
Where recovering foenfen yield,
Tn archangel's shade slowly cast
Upon each polished brow
But, calm and fearless to the last
They sleep securely now"
The bones of nearly thousand young men, in whose
veins flowed of the best blood of this country
resting in the mould the banks Of the Rio Gande, who
never had the face of enemy and who had had
the opportunity OF striking manly blow in behalf of their
country and their For this Mr. B. did not feel Inclined
at this moment to blame any body 1t quite impossible
to appreciate fully the difficulties of campaign especially
this impossible to those who sat at ease far from danger
and alarms in the security of home. They could imagine
little OF the horrors of campaign enemys country
country almost entirely UNKNOWN with sicky climate, and
in unprepared condition. The regiment with which Mr.
b. served had to the field with $40 men, young hearty
gallant ambitious, adventurous and bold of these least
500 were young who from homes of their own,
acquired by their personal labor and economy from the
domestic circles Of their parents dwellings, who lived in the
same independence. Seven hundred of them could with
have earned three times what the Government promised
them pay. Out ofthese 500 nearly 100 slept
the banks Of that doeul river while 200 of them had
ed mere skeletons and shadows, find the bosom of their
friends and the embraces OF their anxious families that epose
and renovation which their shattered frames and detected
spirits greatly needed. The true of the other
regiments II of the other regiment from Illinois
it was true of the Kentucky regiment il was true of the
Alabama regiment ii true of the Indiana regiment it
true of every Of the regiments which had encamped
the fatal banks Of the Rio Gande They all had fallen
victims to the diseases incident to the climate to the waters
the change of food and to hundred other things which
combined depess and dsheaen the devoted who had
fondly sought glory the field of their countrys
Mr. b. did not refer these things any spirit eproach
of complaint he should be worthy Of the honor of
being the representative this occasion Of those brave
whose behalf he ventured to his in that hall if
he would condescend to complain. What they had done
they had Zone from the love of country for the love glory
for the hope of such Immortality in their countys annals
would be shared by Worth, by Davis, by Campbell by
McNeal by Rnggod, by McClung by McKavett and hun
dreds more their brave and chvarous companions in
They had done il that they might be honored while they
lived amened when they died, and remembered after
But representative of the people (and he spoke not
oficer) he would say that it cold blooded
paign, when by zeal and energy manifested no, the
might be ended before next April.
Mr.. Il. not here to discuss the question how these
troops could be raised how they could be supplied with
ney fhe should ask question like that he that
from every quarter Of that hall would spring the spontaneous
reply, hese United States raise all the and all the
money which the and glory Of the country might
quire Pennsylvania, he understood ready with
Illinois, after sending 1000, could send 900
II the could be ended noc, why should hesitate
What would be gained by delay Was there 10 be a
peace Were to obtain peace upon honorable terms
Was 1t to be by advancing recedng Were go for
ward retire In Gods NAME if were TO retire. let
know il at If dictate peace the enc
N.Y. why could not well do it by next April by
December Would it cost any to send 80, 900 men
than to send the number wither and
waste away beneath the searching beams of Mexican
No. He asked hem with all the earnestness OF his
he asked on whatever else gentlemen here might differ
whether they chose TO blame the Wings for refusing sup
port the war, blame the Democrats for beginning the
without necessity, (and he should engage any discus
sion of that point he asked the House. the Of those
who had suffered of those who had fought and yet will
ling and eager TO fight the battles of their country, send
them aid-to send them -subssence-suppors
ples-munons of lie besough gentlemen let our
brave army take the advance and keep till they should OBJ
tain their hearts DESIRE by spreading the nations banners
the city Of Mexico Either the army (f well supporcd)
could do this before April next the promised be in
tormnable For himself he of those who deem
ed il easy task to conquer nation. He believed had
been said by Madame de Stae he very distinguished gem
cman from South Carolina before him, who knew every thing
about these things could him if he wrong) that
nation true to itself never conquered" Mexico
said 10 have population Of eight millions, sparsely spread
over country difficult TO be invaded and easily
defended than any other he knew of in the world Their eli
mate-the very eemensfought for them Even the sterl
ity OF their soil in itself defence An invading army
found subsistence The habits Of their popuatonthe
training Of the Mexican from his youth, enabled them to
dure what people trained could undergo.
Mexican soldier would live and grow fat where American
laugh i while every barrel Of which our horses requr-
ed be brought 200 miles In reply many
jokes around him, Mr. B. begged that gentlemen would not
understand him quite literally when he said Mexican horses
needed foodeat they did III necessary, he would
make personal explanation on that subject afterwards A
burst of laughter But they used to the scanty sub
ssence they picked up their barren soil that they
could live upon Grange, las it called in the West
where our American horses would perish.
Mr. b. went TO that the national feeling Of the Mex
leans beginning knde and would soon burn with an
intense fame He free confess that he felt somewhat
doubtful to the result provided their strong country was de-
Tended might be defended unless adequate amount Of
men, with full supplies and munitions Of war; should speedily