The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-03-04
NJ. tia,'s speech at his reception
IMP .,ertisx RScsnseaa, Ny.

.,,syt~s.-I am not insensible 10 APP
.l,,,n from any portion of my country
P''ebu t 10 be thus remembered, and mus wei,
me- here in the home OF my nativity ana
CONT l,b and early manhood, touches me deeply
"a gratefully. Bat douely grateful sr' are
80 kinds words, coming from one whom :
thes' :. Ionp intimately cherished as sincere
hA,s t,iin, friend IL have been ambitious
an ZINC your confidence and esteem, my au-
o. nv hopes and aspirations are accom-
"TL.i Rr,ween as, there is no place Sr form
Ps'.,.u,onv; 1 am proud Of the heartfelt ex-
ana - 81 svnoathy and congratulation OF
Pieyh, have known me longest and best;
sOu' I,, rewarded for all the hardshiPs and
csws If you know that no man In America
=. onnosed the Mexican war than l. But
,rIan il was lfgitimated by the CONSTITUTION"
WI :, "A, seoDIe-wfen my country called for
-. ,sa common soldier, | entered the ranks.
,Tf,,.,;,a9 praise is TO me the severest censure
III not DENY, therefore, that whilst was
.la,-S,,rith nv blanket and tin-cuP aud KNAPP
ri I..nected a higher position. l thought
- had personal claims upon the Governor oil
."--,,etv for a field appointment, whilst my
.ailiry "a nh such place, was, Halter myself,
80 nader denied In the discharge Of ny
- IN rsaee or war, trust thai, look not to
--,,sopai suffering, with some mor'i.'hfah ei
ffoi-i,- but with mistaken purpose l toek post
= ,bs ranks. Lieutenant Jackson, then Cap
en- If the ..Old Infantry" with magnanimi-
.s mi rarely eQualled in all time, resigned
49, sa5took the ranks, and was unani-
,fisI,- elected Captain. Such self sacrifice Of
NJ Gallant spirit was more gratifying 90 my
s.,h;,isn. than if | had worn the proudest badg-
- bonar thai Governor or President can be-
- man those who worship, not al the shrine
:, Tygfk. bat of POceT. That enmity, which
90 u- cut off from sll hopes of elevation 10
c,gii ,ii,es which had destroyed my property,
,l.u,,a,teS nv reputation. asd subjected my
,.,son and life 10 legaliZed outlawry, was still
,Ds,tiate. and with hendish rancour pursued ME
.tJl They attempted 10 dissolve my company,
trustiag once more TO reduce me 10 the ranks,
wbsn they hoped that the hardshlps Of the
,,mn and climate, would accomplish what vio-
lspes had failed 10 effect-snd that death would
re- them from one whose vindication Of Justice
,sd humanity had made "a thorn In the kings
s,6-" A thing before unheard Of. civil oPin-
i,ps were attempted 10 disqualify me for mill
t.ry promotion. Handbills denouncing me af-
Ter The stereotyped manner, were freely eircula-
I'd Al home, and sent 10 the Heads of Depart
,ssnts al Washington, TO the President, and to
me atfcers Of the invading army in Mexico.
Th.aks to the greet soued army Of America,
.acb contemplate malice was duly estimated.
Before arrived al San Antonio de Bexar, Gen
Wool had determined to detach me from the
Kentucky regiment then lying at Lavaca, ano
6sst ned 10 Gen. Taylor's Column, where it was
supposed the fighting was al over, after the bat
te Of Monterey, and take my company with
him to Chihuahua.-Noihing but the sickness
Of nv meh Il Lavaca prevented this design.
The attempt To prejudice me at home by assert
ing in the Observer and Reporter, that ! had
gone to Sau Antonio, under pretence Of Buff
falO hant,tv t-.ttgue win Osa- W., vas Oas"
more link only in the system Of calumny, Ghich
sill pursue me through life, or so long as
vindicate the true iHtere sfs-of Kentucky. When
| left the regiment at Crockett, their point Of
destination was San Antonio. So a lie cannot
always live, At Camsrgo. Gen. Patterson once
more offered voluntarily to take my company
with hun 10 TampicO, which | declined. by
nav reaGest that true-sOuled old soldier, Gen.
Tsylor, ordered me up to the head OF the
column at Sslio, when ! was put on severe
duty al an advanced post. TO watch the APP
prosch Of the eRemy, by Gen. Butler. Thus
every General under whose command came
showed magnanimous disposition TO allow me,
gth my very insignificant command, every
possible chance Of distinction. But fortune was
against me. To relieve the army from the
Dangers and unpleasant aniicipstons OF sur
prise; for il was reported continually, that
>
John 2. Gaines volunteered 10 find the enemy
at all hazards, il he was on the road from San
Luis POlos 10 Saltillo. He did me the honor
once more 10 take me his commanding Cap
tain. The events Of the rrender OF Enearna-
ciOn Is To You we'll known. The grounds OF de-
fence upon which that act rests, will be found in
my letter to the New Orleans Picayune. That
seventy-One and officers, should hold three
thousand regular Mexican Cavalry at bay from
Light ill noon; and finally make terms Of the
most honorable treatment; presents a spectacle
Of the moral sublime, unsurpassed by the hero
ism Of the bloOdiest battles. In sending back
Captain Henry, through eighty armed lsncers,
one hundred and fifty miles from Camp, with
Three thousand enemies in the rear was display
Cd a rare feat Of individual daring, and the OBJ
ieci0 our mission accomplished Your Hllu-
son to my action on that occasion; and the tss
unony OF my fellow prisoners generally. as well
a Tie previous comments Of some others, ind0ce
me here TO relate the exact particulars of that
adventure. The soldiers. with Captain Danicy,
eha the subordinate officers, were on foot march
ihg BY twOs. Majors Gaines and Ror,and, Cap
'ain Henry and myself, were on horse back, at
las head Of the column. The Mexican lancers
mounted, were in open files on both sides Of
Hs soldiers, with van and rear guard
SsPtain ii. having been taken prisoner at
nlef' and having escaped from the castle Of Pc
tO'e' and being recognized by the MeKicans,
JARED mai he would be put to death, as the ex-
P.1iuon TO AIer disayowed by Texas
hslor Oaines thought there was no danger OF
his life; bot permitted Henry to change horses
WIN him. as the two Majors only had been al
lowed to retain their American horses. Henry
also asked my advice; agreed with him that
NE vas IN imminent peril ; told him
should be glad for our friends 10 know of the
Int -,
ue way or the other in affair of so much dan
E henry agreed at length to run. ] told
P'ah n TO speak low, as the Mexican Lieu
nah'' was convinced, understood English
though he denied all knowledge of the Ian.
ege his the Lieutenant overheard, and re-
Pci'ed IL 10 Col. SambraninO the commanding
.S.cef Of The guard. lie Immediately ordere.
Alessrs' Gaines and BorIand, under a strong
susfG' ahead; uncovered bis pistols, and com
aAoeo The guard to open the ranks, so as to b.
~. oi arms reach Of our men. Seeing thei
pnAu9Hs' We supposed the time had come TO
aP'aih MS death, and he riding down tn,
ranks under pretence Of arranging The men b,
NS'' according TO order, gave spurs to his hors
u escaped. The Colonel supposed that w
Plo'tlng to rise upon the guard; and Hen
running, confirmed him in the opinion
Oruereo The lancers 10 charge, which the
promptly obeyed, having retired before ia
ugh 10 allow some momentum in the ad
ce' was alone and about twenty ward
S ao' rode back and ordered the men 10 Al
,S ~h, which they promptly did; told the Colone
~ Tsre lnnocent-that ] only was response
NE then told three lancers to lance me ;
ne a. each side, and one in the rear: he wit
pistol at my breast, and the Lieutenant vii,
~ 'aue also drawn, placed me in no very sgree
ss,h u'ude. Seeing that the soldiers were SAT,
No, began to tie them, assure YOU that wa
Cd ,Sa,x 10 talking in my own defence; avow
baS no, anew OF his design 10 escspe-that
tha, h. aIN'sed him one way or the other