The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-17
From the New orleans Delta, Sent


missing; Geo Duver do, killed
From the New Orleans Delta Sept
GEN PERsIroR F. SMITH-The heart OF every Louis
anan will throb with emotions OF pride and Joy be
reads of the brilliant and conspicuous part which out
gallant fellow citizen, Gen Persifor +. Smith, took IN
the late severe and bloody battles before the city of Mex
co His cool and mastery maneuvres and intrepid de.
meanor in action the theme OF universal praise.
CAPTAIN SETH b. THORNTON. This intrepid dragon
officer who was the first to begin this war, was, alas
the first sacrifice his life in the late march OF army
from Puebla The circumstances of his death will be
found fully detailed in the letters OF correspondents
Like Colonel Butler. he left bed of sickness TO meet The
foe upon whom he warmly desired TO avenge the treach
cry by which he had been betrayed in the commencement
of this war He was killed by cannon ball, IN recon-
noissance, several days before the battle.
We knew Seth Thornton well. lie was companion
and schoolmae of early days, and Drawer and more
warm hearted soul never animated a human frame He
born in Caroline county, Virginia, and al his death
was about thrtythTee years OF age Young as he was
his life had been chcckered and eventiul one. We
doubt whether there is any man now living who ha,
passed safely through many and such imminent pes
and trials as have marked the life OF Capt Thornton
Some years ago he was a passenger, when quite
youth the ll-fated Pulaski; and when that steamer
took fire. he was nearly the last to leave her Whe
others thought only OF saving their own lives, he thought
only of saving the lives of the fair and children
on board When all the passengers had been sent OF
boats and on spars, Capt Thornton having first securely
tied his body to hen coop, threw himself into the sea
Whilst in the water, he picked up several men, whom he
also succeeded in fastening to the coop, and thus they
hoated for many long aud weary hour, exposed toa
burning sun, and without particle of food One by one
his companions dropped oil, and persisted IN the sea
Thornton only remained; and at last, famished and re-
some boats and taken ashore For long time his life
was in great danger from delirium and fever conse
quent upon his intense sulerings and exposure Buth
recovered, and the next time we hear OF HIM is in the
Florida war, where he passed through many extraorna
ry pes, and distinguished himself as most gallant and
active officer. In the beginning of this war; Capt Thorn
ton selected by Gen. Taylor for very delicate and
difficult duy-the full nature and results of which
familiar to readers Last summer, being relieved
from duty, he home short visit; but as soon as
he reached Washington, earnestly enreated the War De-
artnent to allow him to take the field Of active opera
tons. His wish granted, and he hurried back 10 The
of war, and eagerly sought an opportunity OF dis
tinguishing himself.
Captain Thornton though ever in the front OF danger
and reckless of all pers and obstacles, was BY no means
physically vigorous muscular man. On the contrary
he was Of small and delicate structure, and Of weakly
constitution But his bold and manly spirit made him
always ready dare every DANGER and assume the most
trying and perIlous positions which could be pointed ou
to him. .
brave heart parted for in the glorious conflict OF arms
at the head of his bold dragoonshls bloody sabre fam
ing in the sunbeams and the frightened foe flying before
his ayenging arm-but in mere Reconnaissance BY an
accidental cannon shot, and when no enemy WASH
sight, his brave spirit was loosened from lis mortal ene'
mcn; and thus he fell, with his face to the foe Peace
to his manes-immortaty to his memory
Col PIERCE NJ. BuTLER.--The death of this gallant
South Caronian-he representative the bloody field
OF Churubusco of noble of heroes any coln
try has produced-wl create profound and extended
sorrow in this country He has been for long time
conspicuous and prominent citizen OF South carolina
and was noted for his great resolution and indonabe
courage. He possessed military qualities OF the highest
ORDER and gave promise Of great and distinction
in career which, alas terminated at its very commence
ment Col Butler had been very i'll for several days pre-
vous 10 the battle; but when he heard that the Palmetto
flag was going into the fight nnaccompanied by hun 70
whose special charge had been committed, he broke
loose from his physicians abandoned his sick couch and
weak, ghasy, and almost fainng, mounted his CHARGE
and placed himself at the head Of his regiment WIN
such an example, men far less ardent and gallant thaa %
superhuman daring. But there was no such incemem
necessary to impe the sons of the Harry Hospnr OF The
State to the most brilliant and conspicuous display
military qualities Their services are fully noted IN an
other part of our paper Col Butler, though twice badly
wounded, and weighed down by tantness and loss
blood main tanned his position until third wound caused
his death.
Lieut. Col Dickinson, whowas the first officer wounded
at Vera Cruz, also sgnallzed his valor on this OCCASION
and was again badly wounded
Col. MoRGAN.--We notice with much pain that THIS
gallant officer, who lately commanded with so much as.
tncton the ID regiment Of Ohio volunteers, was baby
wounded in the late battles Col Morgan is que .a
young man, but is one of the most fearless and daring
men in army. He was the officer who, IN commam
of small body of volunteers, last winter, defeated "
at the head of large force of Mexican horse nc
has great military talents. He lately appointed ey
the President to the command OF one OF the new zen
regiments; and it was the head of his regiment that
he was severely wounded in the late battle.
LIEUT. JoNEs-Ths gallant officer who acted as AID
de-camp OF Gen. Cadwallader, died of the wounds re-
ceved in the engagements OF the 10th and goth August
The CERRo GoRDo DIvIsIoN-The heroes oil oellJ
Gordo, led by their noble old general the white nau
veteran Twiggs fresh laurels in both the oate'
of Contreros and Churubusco The neyer-falng luasi
men of this experienced and tried officer contribute
largely to success these occasions Inc avs n.
which he commanded is OF the bravest when eve,
into battle, and victory has never failed to percn V
its banner.