The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-29

none in my maternal love and attachment, yet am
proud and happy to acknowledge that have many
brothers who possess far stronger claims to the admi
ration of common mother. Not battle has been
fought in Mexico from Pslo Alto to the CITY, in which
the sons Of New York have not I'd distinguished
participation Some Of these cons brought and depo
sed in their mothers lap the wreaths Of laurel which
they gathered from the plains OF the heights
Of Queenstown, and the field of Niagara, more than
thirty years ago. These garlands are not with.red
our recent iot with Mexico the Empire State may
point with just pride to her Worth, her Wool, her
Bknsp and host of subordinates of every grade for
she may rely with certainty, that wherever these men
were found there was the brunt Of battle Sir as the
organ Of my friends and fellowctizeus, beg you to
express to them my grateful for the
honor they have this day conferred upon me, and to
accept sir for YOURSELF In the Same connection my
poor thanks, which have nothing to recommend them
Alter this highly agreeable prelude, the company
proceeded to the magnltcent dining room, which
had been decorated tor the occasion In q style of
great taste and proprlety. AT the head OF the
dent, was an elegant scroll, bearing the following
Inscriptions
Palo Alto,
Refaca- Monterey,
Vera Cruz-Cerro Gordo
Churubusco- Molino del Rey,
Chspultepec,
Gsrita Been-Garta Cosme,
City Of Mexico.
This scroll was draped by two banners, emilia
zoned with the stars and stripes, while underneath
regiment, with It's broken shaft and tattered silk
glorious memorials OF the distinguished part Ia
ken by that gallant band on the bloody field of
ChuTubusco. Nothing could have been In better
and tables; and as for the dinner, it Is enough to
say that 1t was altogether worthy of the well
known llberallty and spirit of the hosts of the As
tor
on his right by General Cadwallader; on the left
by Commander McKeever. Among the company
we noticed Major Craig, Lieut.. Bankhead, Lieut..
Col. ]. ]. Astor, Col. Stebblns, Sen Ward, Capt.
Ward, Capt. Vincent, James G. Bennett. p. M
Wetmore, Hon. John Mckeon, Chas O'Conor,
Gene raj Storms, Alderman Hart, Hon. A. Wells,
Col Spicer, &c, &c. All parties were represent
ed on the occasion, while every rank and profes-.
sion seemed to unite IN rendering this tribute of
regard to the gallant and distinguished son of
New York, who was the guest of the evening.
When the cloth was removed, Judge Edmonds, the
which had passed between the gentlemen ofthe com.
mitee and COL Duncan rendering the tetion of
to sSs the reply
dent Van Buren,, tho Secretary Of War, Major Gen.
Scott ex Governor Bouck, and General Wool who gave
excuse for his inability to attend the dinner,
that he obliged to attend the presentation of
sword to him. which was ordered by the last egsla-
from Brigadier General whiting Commander Perry,
Hon John Van Buren,, Colonel Crane, Assistant Ad-
jutant Freeman and from Col. Page Of Philadelphia,
terms Of circumstances beyond their control placing
it beyond their ability to participate in the harties
gallant Colonel Duncan, Whoss fame &c name 20 an. md
bravery, SO we'll known throughout this country
and Europe, account of the efficiency of the flying
artillery, which produced much havoc the enemy
during NE recent with Mexico, and from hs being
connected with it from It's first org an arm
Of our military strength.
JUROR EpMoSDs rose for the purpose he said OF pro-
posing toast, which he was confident the company
would drink with glasses charged to the brim-a toast
81 .s-kt al. hn-~
.ource Of pleasure this evening. can well imagine
81 to one who present among us 1t will be
Of snnoysnos far greater, an sure than would be
But use is all and our gallant friend (Col Duncan)
will learn that even charge on this occasion is
OF Mexico do not propose to preface the sentiment
which intend to offer by any lengthy dissertation on
the wonders Of the war with Mexico, for If ventured
that subject, could not hold within myself the
spirit which the remlniscencs Of that creates
the American breast. (Applaase) speak Of only one
and of him may say that he born in Orange
county, in this State gra duated at West Point and
having creditaby passed through that institution, he
received his brevet Lieutenant of artillery. From
that period until the commencement Of the Florida
war he had opportunity Of distinguishing HIMSELF
Combine hs rival .bos Ss head
Frem thence to the establishment Of battery Of fy
ing artillery mis- life was that OF subatern with
and quiet In the year $780, the first battery of ying
artillery was established in this country. 1t
gspized at Camp Washington, under the direction Of
gallant IAmeuted
Rings od-kinggold who lived to perfect the work he
began, and died like a soldier, with his face
to the foe. and in the midst Of the glory which
he had achieved. Work, however, thus begun, wa.
not displayed in all its advantages, until the first of
the many brilliant actions in the with Mexico
fought and won 1t Is unnecessary fer to 80 into
the details of that action As far gallant GUST
concerned in it. there some points on which
it is certainly worth while to dwell One Of these
the rapidiy with which the artillery served and
which caused the enemy, on more than one oo ,ason,
to suppose that the battery Of four guns of
sixteen; and one Of eight to be of twenty four Ano
Their is the certainty and precision with which they
were served AS an instance OF this accuracy and
RECESSION, will mention that, occasion, when
column of the enemy fled out from some secure place,
With the drums playing and ban flying aud all this
fanfaronade so characteristic of Mexican troops and
when this column was approaching our forces, hel-
low shot was sent from the battery Of our gallant
guest, which aighted among the baud Of music and
exploded, causing so much damage that every of
that band was 81 her killed or wounded the extra
posing this battery had arrived, Ia point to which
reference ought also to be made; and u can be illus
trated by one incident to which shall call your
attention. It occurred on an occasion when
il found necessary for Duncan's battery to
sdyance on the road on which the enemy
structed. One OF those distractions an
ammunition wagon, belonging to the enemy,
which was on fire. and from which ever and anon
of the fixed ammunition which IL contained would
plode An order to remove 1t was given so that the
army could advance; but those who undertook to re-
move did so with hesitation for in case Of the
poeo OF one Of those fixed fire arms, 1t certain
death to him who received its contents UadeI this
state of things Col Duncan gave the comma nd to his
to remove the obstruction and on the his
men dismounted One OF them climbed up on the
wagon, and taking mp the box containing this axed
ammunition which was larger than ordinary sized
champaign basket, he extinguhed such parts of the
fire as he could and threw the rest into the river In
this manner the obstruction removed. It reminds
me Of an anecdote which heard in my youth II was
related as act of daring bravery, that during an
actie at sea, lighted bono he'll fell on ships desk
and before 1t exploded of the sailors deliberately
took 1t up in his arms and threw 1t overheard Bat
the feat which have related dous ut ouse and
without hesitation and 1t Is With regret that say
that the gallant soldier who performed this gallant
feat. met with untmey end by being killed one
Of the actions which happened few days Afterwards
| introduced the aueodote, to show the great
perfection Of the Discipline Of the army, and
especially of this portion of IL; aud | take
pleasure in being able to record the name Of the
gallant fellow who performed this was F,ll
more, and his native country was Ireland Judge Ed
monds then followed Col. Duncan during his whole
career, during the to the end Of it, and remarked
upon his many promotions fer meritorious conduct
and gallant daring All these honors we're, however,