The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-15
From the Indiana Sentinel Oct. 7.
Democratic Festival and Free barbecue, in honor OF
the Indiana Volunteers


volunteers, notwithstanding the late rains and unavoa
bic state Of the weather, for several days previous
On the morning of the 4th James Blake, esq, as
grand marshal, and Messrs. Andrew Brouse, William
Sullivan, Jacob Vandegriit, David Reynolds, Joseph
Streteher, Nathaniel West, ID, l.. MFarland, Thomas
Johnson Powell Rowland. George Aston. Jacob Springer
J. Hopkins, and Others assistant marshas, formed
the large procession and proceeded to the Palmer House.
where large body of the returned volunteers consisting
of several hundreds were formed into line, under the
command of Captains McDougall and Lander, assist
ant marshals These brave men then headed the pro-
cesson, and the whole body proceeded TO the grove The
ladies and volunteers were then seated aud the immense
hrong present, covering several acres IN solid
addressed by the Hon Edward Hannegan, as follows:
VOLUNTEERS: The committee oil arrangements have
assigned the pleasing task OF rendering to you on be-
half of the people of Indiana, The assurance OF their
high and grateful appreciation of your services in the
recent war with Mexico; services which, whilst they
have for you high distinction as soldiers have added
lustre the character OF State 1ou have met
glad looks in every eye and warm pressure from every
hand where all outstretched.
Ii is needless for me to advert TO the which led
your counrys call for the aid OF her volunteer troops
That call twice made upon Indiana during the war
TO repe and chastse ruthless enemy wantony IN
vading territory, and whose merciless hand aimed
the bolts of death at every age and condition and sex
Each call was instantly met You stepped without hesl-
taton into the ranks, and together enrolled your names
with all the aacry OF patriotism for the hardshps oil the
soldiers life and the prvalons, pers and diseases incl
dent TO an unaccustomed and pestlentia climate. Such
was the promptude OF your action, and the determine
ton of your purpose that on each occasion you were
OF danger will not dwell upon the hard trial which
awaited the first campaign, when your ardor smoth
cred by the restraint which held you IN fast inachon as
others marched by the road to battle at Monterey.
The time for some of you came at last The welcome
hour was reached the field OF BueAa VISTA where the
deeds OF your yaor, when inscribed by the pen OF impair
ta truth, shall md and NIL page immortal on the roll
OF history
1t is enough that an impartial world has reversed the
charge that would have backened the blood bought
fame of the second regiment and let me say to the
vivos of that gallant body here and everywhere, your
own State chershes your fame in common with the glory
won by each and every regiment and company that bore
her standard up from first to last.
Here Mr. Hannegan introduced the flag OF the second
Indiana regiment, which had been procured from the
chyes of the State where is deposited This produced
sensation almost indescribabe. Many of the audience
wept like Children and simultaneous shout up to
heaven.1
Here your flag 1t bears its silent but expressive
testimony that your coors were not abandoned Here
unfurl it, Indanans the witnesses speaking all
over it that the valor of Its defenders worthy of the
gift wrought and presented by the fair hands of New AL
bany Look at 1t all over; the centre torn away by
cannon ball. Look above and see almost every bright
star that bazes from its field defaced by the fire of
musketry. See down here, where II las shed around the
heads of its gallant, gallant protectors how the bullets
whrled thick and fast through almost every Some
four hundred in number, delivering twenty rounds de-
beratey against eight or ten thousand of the enemy
supported by enhladng battery within point blank dis
lance
When rereatng, this flag dropped upon the ground
by the officer bearing IT, who was called to assist IN bear
ing off wounded comrade Private Moberly of the
Lawrence county company, commanded by Capt Davis,
noticed and called the attention of Lieut. Col Haddon
the fact who directed him to take it up; the gallant
soldier did By the order of Col Haddon it sub
sequently given Lieut. Kunke, who bore 1t noby ao
throughout the day. Were such men fugitives' Could
this Standard all rent and taered in the fight have been
borne and sustained by towards and fugitlves Fugi
lives to what point did they fly Within less than
mile OF the spot where they had so CALAMITY sustained
their ground about two hundred out of the three hun
Ilia1 nnIp pf mt
less and heroic Haddon and their return to the field
met and repulsed a much larger body of the enemy
when they were ordered to form on the Mississippi reg
ment and after being joined by the third Indiana, fought
out the day, including the final charge OF the enemy
famous in the report of the commanding general seal
ing the fortunes and tories of Buena Vista.
We know instance where man amongst you
failed in soldiers duty; and the fame won by you and
your gallant comrades is ours to preserve uniarnshed
the property of the State, among those lmper
shabe moral treasures, which would bequeath for
the admiration and imitation OF posterty.
avoid the expression of my feelings have
often contemplated the strict observance OF the sacred
laws of moderation and clemency which distinguished
you in common with our whole army throughout the
tire
In this you fulfilled the high duty expected of you not
measure for Mexico or Mexicans, but tribute
which American soldiers to humanity and the honor
and the bengnant spirit OF their country. Whilst en-
during gratitude shall testify your renown the patriots
heart will swell and his eye grow humid, he proudly
points along the dazzling succession OF victories unstan
ed by violence and cruelty. The fields of American
glory In MEXICO are unlike the eerZeu elu OF AglnCOut
where the blood of the prisoner furnished the glory of the
conlueror-machess hero as that conqueror was. Here
the presiding genius of their country bids her soldiers All
Hail merciful on the field of bood orbearing amid the
voupuous auremens of the stormed and startled city
Doubly would this days festivities have been enhanced
could we have welcomed amongst us an honored guest
the peerless representative of the gaantry, the chvary
the lofty bearing of old kentucky-bu recently the
mander- chief of armies in Mexico, private
citizen whom his admring countrymen are waiting inn
patiently cothe with the honors OF the second office in
the republic The of WliamO 0. Butler rises above
all ordinary eulogy 1t is at associated in the mind
with all that is gifted and generous and heroic in man.
Like SPELL il recalls the memory of by gone times when
the boy volunteer stood untered upon the bloody
of Russia dashed impeuousy by the side of Andrew
Jackson the embattled plain of New Orleans No
living found general and heartfelt well
come than that which would have greeted him here.
AS look around am reminded that there is place
vacant amongst you-the place OF one whose name will
be forever dear to every true son OF Indiana And yet
dare answer for it, he to whom aude has been present
to every mind than to-day Who has not
missed from these ranks the manly form that rode fore
most the field OF Buena Vista, with handful OF his
brave men, holding at bay than twenty times his
own nunbers-whose steady and determined order
stilladvance! and who, before the walls, and in the
streets OF Huamana, gave the last blow to Mexican
sistance Who is there here that has not missed the
presence of Joseph Lane, the born soldier and the self
made hero Called by public duty to distant enterprises,
he cannot be here person. but his nnermost heart all
the musings of his mind, have placed him in your midst
to-day companions you OF his tolls and his glory
There some among you who wear not on your
brows the gloes of the battle wreath. Restrained by
the stern force of martial authority you charged not with
the sered ranks of the bound infantry, you mingled
not with the mpetuous column as 1t dashed through fire
and blood to triumph and to victory You heard not the
glad notes of the buge, and the long roll OF the drum,
when your countrys banner first streamed from the
ers and palaces of conquered ciies you Joined not