Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-24
RETURN OF THE MIssoURIANs.

ueseieu Dy MI senator DENTON The speech Is charac-
terisc-exhbng that clear and graphic narrative and those
strong and concentrated expressions for which the Senator
remarkable :
The orator gave outline of the long march Of this gallant
regment-rs thousand miles New Mexico, which be-
came starting point of departure. Then Chihuahua
was aimed at-Chhuahua, rich and populous city Of
y thirty thousand souls the of the of the
State of that name and formerly the residence Of the Cap
ans General OF the Internal Provinces under the Vce-ega
Government In advancing towards Chihuahua the adven-
urous regiment encountered incredible hashps They pass
ed over the desert called e onada de los murtoshe jour
ney Of the deadan arid plain of ninety miles strewed with
the bones of animals persisted of hunger and thirst and mark
ed by continual mementoes of who had fallen victims to
the perous way They fought the enemy the Bracto,
and gained decisive victory although opposed by superior
numbers strong in cavalry and artillery. Again at Sacra-
msno the intrepid band fought and conquered vastly
rior force Mr. BENTON calls that victory one of the mill
tary marve Of the age AT length Chihuahua is reached
and taken and there the bold adventures pause de-
termne which way they shall direct their steps, They
had occupied city about far from ST. Louis Moscow is
Paris. Let Mr.. Bentons graphic narrative be heard
Chihuahua gained it became like Santa Fe not the ter
minatng point OF long expedition, but the beginning point
of Gen. Taylor was somewhere no one knew
exactly where but eight hundred miles towards
the other side OF Mexico You had heard that he had been
deeaed-hat Buena Vista had been good prospect
him. Like good Americans you did not believe word of
but like good soldiers you thought it best go and
volunteer party of fourteen, headed by Collins of Boonve,
undertake to penetrate to Sao andto bring you information
OF his condition. They set out Amidst innumerabe dan
they accomplish their purpose and You march
vanguard of hundred men, led by Lieut. COL MITCHELL
led the way Then the main body f the is
buresque such handfu commanded by COL Doniphan
himself.
The whole table land of Mexico in all its breadth from
west to east was to be aversed and hostile
A.
tans be passed. Every thing was to be seprovd
ed-provsons transportation fresh horses for remouns and
even the means Of victory and all without military chest
empty box, which Government had eposed
All accomplished. Mexican passed in order
and quiet punderng Cumanches were punished
obtained om traders to qudae indispensable conbu
tons and the that could be supplied endured
| like soldiers of veteran service.
81 say the Cumanches were punished. And here pre-
sens itself episode of novel; extraordinary and romantic
kndAmecans chastsng savages for pundeng people who
they themselves came to conquer and forcing the restitution
OF capves and of Plundered property story this
to tell in Europe, where backwoods char
acer-is not yet completely known But the facts. In
the muskeet forest of the Boon de Mpm and in the ser
around the beautiful town and fertile district of Parras and
in all the open country for hundreds of miles round about the
savage Cumanche have held dominion the usuper
Santa Anna dsarmed the people, and sally forth from their
businesses to slaughter plumber CATTLE and carry off
and children An exploit of this kind had just been per-
formed the line OF the MissOurans march, far from
Paas and advanced party CHANGED TO be in that town
the time the of the depreciation arrived there. 1t
only fifteen strong Moved by gratitude for the kind
tons OF the people, especially the to the sick of Gene
raj w oos command, necessarily left in Parra and unwi
ling to be oudone by in generosity the heroic een
upon the spot volunteered to go back, hunt out the depeda
tors and punish them, without regard to numbers gIae
fu Mexican became their guide On their way they fell in
with fifteen more OF their comrades and short time
teen Cumanches killed of sxtyve eighteen captves
stored TO their families, and three hundred and fifty head of
cattle recovered for their the fruit of this sudden
and romantic episode.
"Such noble conduct was not without its effect on the
minds Of the asonished Mexcans An official document from
the Project of the place Capt Reid leader of this deach
ment aests the verify OF the fact and the gratitude of the
Mexicans and constitutes trophy of kind in the
nails OF war; Here it in the original Spanish, and will
read it of in English.
is officially dated from the Prefecture of the Department
Of Paas signed by the Project Jose gnaco Arabe and adj
dressed to Capt Reid, the 18th of May, and says
cat the first notice that the barbarians, after killing
many, and taking captive returning their hauns
you generously and bravely offered with fifteen of your
subordnates to fight them their crossing by the Pozo
executing this enterprise with celebrity address, and bravery
worthy OF all euogy, and worthy of the brilliant issue
which all celebrate. You recovered many animals and
much pundered property aud eighteen captiyes were re-
stored to liberty and to social enoyments their souls
flowing with lively sentiment Of joy and gratitude which
all the inhabitants of this equally breathe of
their generous deverers and their valiant chief The half
the Indians killed in the combat and those which y wound
ed do calm the pain which all feel for wound which
Your Exceency received defending Christians and civilized
beings against the rage and brutality of ages All desire
health and although they
know that in your noble soul will be found the best
wrd of your conduct they desire also address you the
preston of their gratitude and high honor
in being the organ Of the public sentiment and pray you
accept it with the distinguished esteem
'This is trophy Of kind in war, won by thirty
Missouans and worthy be held up to the admiration of
chrstendom"
The regiment arrived Gen. Taylos camp at Monterey
and reported themselves ready for duty They prepa
ed go with the hero of Buena Vista San Luis Potos
Zacatecas the city Of Mexico. They regarded their
gues the approaching expiration of their Of service
But unhappy says Mr. Benton, the conqueror of Pao
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena VISTA
not exactly in the condition that the Lieutenant General
that might have been, intended him to be- He at
the head Of 90, 600 men He at the head of any
thousands that would enable him march and had de-
cline the profeed service. Thus the long marched and
fought yolunteersthe rough the ready and the rag
ged-had 10 turn their faces towards home, still than
two thousand miles distant"
The last nine hundred miles of the land march from Chi
huahua to Matamoros made in forty days with
pieces of artillery eleven Of which had been taken from
the enemy. During all their long march this regiment of
hardy soldiers received from the Government dollar Of
pay they furnished for the part their supplies and
forage and clothing and yet brought back nearly their whole
number You marched further than the furthest," says
Mr.. Benton "you have fought well the best, left
der and quiet in your train, and less money than any,.
In another of this address