Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-08
IN sENATE-MoSDAy, JANUARY 3, ls4s.
TEN REGIMENT BILL


TEN REGIMENT BILL.
The Senate resumed as in Committee Of the Whole the
consideration Of the bill reported from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs 10 raise for limited time additional military
force.
Mr. CAsS rose and said MrPresdent This the first
OF series Of bills which the Military Committee is about
present TO the Senate They have with the most
important and will ask the consideration Of the others in sue
cesson ill they have discharged the duty entrusted to hem
In presenting this bill do not propose to touch any Of
disputed topics which divide the two great pae under the
banner of one or the other of which every citizen Of
country is arayed shall leave these if introduced at all
TO be introduced by others had hoped, till heard the
incidental discussion which arose day or two since the
question Of taking up this bill that these exciting subjects
would be postponed for future opportunity, and that the
propositions submitted would be considered upon their
military merits taking il for granted that the popey Of
voting the additional force required would not be controversial
well that could not escape full discussion of
the origin Of the war; its progress its Objects and the whole
Of the Administration connected with it. Nor, indeed
did wish to avoid it, However may be the attack
trust il will be as earnestly and easily repeIed for
slider the ground which the Administration occupies per-
fecty impregnable apprehenve, however, from the
remarks which fell from OF the honorable Senators the
other day. that the whole field OF controversy is to be
over aud that we fight this BILL necessary deem its
immediate passage to the public interest," inch by inch, till all
the great party questions Of the day debated and exhaust
ed. fit is be must OF course, submit but the fault
shall not be mine, will provoke the contest by ntodu-
cling any topics which may properly lead to it,
here point SIR, where all meet, and that is
the gaany and good conduct Of army This is Of
the high places to which can come up together and lay
ing aside party dissensons minge congratulations
that country has had such go forth battle and
that they have gathered such harvest OF distant
fields
The time BEEN and there those upon this floor who
remember it well, when national flag said to be but
striped bunting and our armed vessels but r-bull frgaes
The eats of army and navy during last with
England redeemed from this reproach the offspring Of for
egn jealousy and had they not the events Of the present
would have changed these ephets into terms of honor
for g has become victorious Standard borne by march
ing columns the hills and Valleys and through the cities
and towns and fields of powerful nation, in of
Of which few examples can be found In ancient or in
modern warfare.
The movement Of our army from Pueba one Of the
romantic and remarkable which occurred
the military annals of our country
Our troops did not indeed burn their feet like tie first con-
queros OF Mex, they needed not to gather courage from
despair nor stimulate their resolution by destroying all
hopes of escape But they voluntarily cut off all OF
communication with their country, by throwing them
selves among the armed thousands of another and advancing
with stout hearts, but feeble numbers into the midst OF hos
tile territory. The uncertainty which hung pubicmind
and the anxiety every where felt when gallant little army
disappeared from view, will not be forgotten during the
present generation There universal pause of expecta
housekeeping but still fearing and the eyes OF twenty mil
lions Of people anxiousy fixed upon another country
which little band of its armed citizens had invaded. veil
concealed them from view They lost to for fifty
OF
their departure from Pueba till accounts reached of the is
sue of the The shroud which enveloped them
then gave way, and discovered glorious flag waving
in the beezes of the capital and the city itself invested by
army.
And similar circumstances marked the very commencement
of the war; when the Mexcans first surrounded troops
shut them from all communication with their country.
This unexpected attack struck all with astonishmen and
feared well might, that numbers would overcome
discipline and vaor, which, however they might polong,
could not be expected TO succeed in the contest And hope
less indeed might have been the result had not the honoed
soldier who commanded troops bad confidence in them
and they in hmhad he not known how TO lead and they
follow And well and bavey did they all bear themselves
in the critical circumstances which surrounded them and
doubts gave way certainty and gloomy foebodngs
glorious convictions. And the campaign thus
vigorously followed up the Rio Grande, and victory
after victory, till the browning triumph at Buena Vista, was
heraded by every breeze and became familiar TO
household words.
During the whole Of this there has been series Of
which has uninterrupted by single serious dsas
ter hold in my hand table, prepared at the Adjuan
Generals Office from the best materials which be found
there exhibiting the actions fought with the enemy and the
forces engaged and the losses sustained by each party
have official data, the losses side stated
But those theside Of the Mexcans instances
entirely omitted, and in others conjcc;ura estimated This
table shows the whole truth far concerned and
but part Of the truth Far the enemy concerned
Still under these circumstances is of the proudes
trophies with which any army enriched its county,
The Adutant General remarks that he cannot vouch for
nature they must often be estimated but he adds, that,
although il is essentially correct, it is not entirely complete,
for he thinks there yet wanting reports &c. OF
affairs which have been lost intercepted and il may be
that the statement hereafter need amendment correction
If we recorded history upon stone, done in the
primitive ages Of the world, should engaye this series Of
glorious deeds upon tables Of MARBLE But shall do better
shall engrave upon hearts, and shall commit
TO the custody of the press whose monuments a and feeble
as they appear yet from their wonderful power Of multiplied
ton, are more enduring than brass MARBLE than statues
pyramids the proudest monuments erected human hands
Let it be remembered sir that these battles were fought
in great by and undscplned troops, hastily
collected at home, ard rapidly marched the seat Of waare
by who had abandoned the duties and comforts of do
temporary employment in order defend the interest and
honor OF their country And the small regular army
which existed at the Of the had lit
tie actual service in the field and that not with civilized foe
but in muderous conflicts with Indian tribes, where there
much exposure TO meet and little glory gain Many Of the
officers and soldiers and indeed great majority Of them and
very field which they illustrated by their deeds and mosened
with their blood. Honor then 10 the highest and the low
est to the greatest and the least Honor TO the living and
the deadthosc who survive to enjoy it, and to the memory
Of those who sleep soldiers grave from the land they
loved so well.
And happy am to upon this floor at this moment,
particularly, one of the gallant officers who have inscribed
their names high upon the military roll Of their country and
there others like him in this city, who have returned from
the campaign in which they distinguished themselves bearing
upon their persons neaceabe marks of courage patriotism