Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-04

Cn Friday night, December 3st number OF
he officers OF our military corps united in giving
10 Colonel Garland an entertainment al the City
Hotel. Col G. expected 10 have left Richmond
in The boat OF that morning, but was detained by
he ice Consequently the Notice svery short.
Il was II o'clock when DR.. Minse received The
first inimation that supper was TO be g ivcn.
Still the most fas,idious epicure could not have
found fault with the fare.
The company duly discussed the good things
which had been Provided which, the follow
ing sentiments were announced by the President
Of the evening-Colonel John A. Meredith.
REGULAR TOASTS.
|. The President OF The United States.
2 The Army Of the United States
3. The Navy OF The United States.
f. The land and naval forces of the United
States, which have taken part in the present war
with Mexico: Their invnciblc courage, heroic
achievements and brilliant successes have eXall
ed the American name; their grateful country
will bestow upon Them all The meriled tribute Of
praise and honor.
Genllemen-l am about TO propose a sentiment
which know will awaken all your enthusiasm
need not tell you 10 fill yonr glasses, for | per-
ceive you anticipate NE. Before offering the sem
limenl, will perform The pleasing dnty you have
assigned me of bidding our guest, Col. Garland,
welcome TO our entertainment. IL is an enter.
tainmeni given TO you, sir, by the officers Of this
civ, as mark Of their admiration OF your dis
lineu.hed services in Inc Mexican war. And
though il be given by officers who have no, seen
service in The tented field, yet hey are not the less
capable Of approaching dced Of noble daring in
others, and are ever ready 10 10 honor 10 those TO
whom honor is due and, may add, that we
have watched your career nMexico az son OF
Virginia with deep anxiety, and have behelj lis
close with unqualified pride and pleasure. To
you, as one Of The odes, officers from Virginia,
vas entrusted her reputation for courage and for
chivalIy. You have been pcsent al all the great
battles fought 10 Mexico, SAFE one, and by your
distinguished sallanlry in nj have preserved tina!
reputation unsul!ied and uuarnished-and your
heroic courage, conspicnously displayed on TWO
occasions, has shed new lrare on The reputation
of Stale that has given bI;n to a Washington, a
Lee, Scott, and Taylor You have played a
prominent part al Palo a Ito and Resaca de la Pal
ma, in the bloody streets Of Monterey, al the
brilliant bombardment of Vera Cruz, al the gal.
in ali lie eiGrSus moVeienS i o. a. ny n "e
valley of Mexico; ii San Antonio, at the iete
de poni OF Chu'ubuScO, in the terrible carnage al
the Moline del Rey, and in The triumphant entry
through The San Cosme gale into the city OF MeXi
CO; and whilst these heroic exploits awaken in
our bosons feelings of pride and exutaion, and
will ever be mentioned by us in termsDf unboun
dcd applause, yet none will receive greater
need OF praise than The fea rIess stormilg OF Mon
lerey, and the equally daring and morebloody as
sault on the MoIino del Rey, where yop appeared
eminentiy conspicuous among the bratest.
The ius,Iious General who PLANNED, and his
hr,v off ,uhn pypoute1 tho h-illis
tions before the city Of Mexico, had difficult par
10 perform. They were treading on gound thai
was almost classical Cores and his intrepid
comrades had made that city and every spo
around her, historic and By their iniomitablt
courage and prowess, had reared standard o.
military merit and skill which il was difficult lc
attain, il no, impossible 10 surpass; and yet
think, utter but the universal sentiment when
say that American skill and American valor
have eclpsed The brilliant achievements Of ha
heroic band Of Spaniards and if Corles and AL
varadO, and Sandova be entitled to a bright page
in history, brighter page must be assigned IL
Scott, Worth, Quilman, Shields, Smith and Gar.
land
Again sir, on behalf Of The officers of this city
| express to you our high appreciation Of your
distinguished services.
5. Our guest, Colonel Garland-one of The
bravest OF the brave: In the many great battles
IT the pTesen, war in which he has been enga
ged, his post was always one of honor and da n.
ger. His skill, conduct and courage, have won
for him the applause OF his generals and the ad.
miralion OF his country. Q2 Cheers)
After the cheering had subsidized, COL G. rose
and said, in substance
Mr. President: find it exceedingly difficult 10
command suitable words with which 10 express
my thanks as we'll for The complimentary sen,i.
mpnt Just given as the accompanying remarks
You have been pleased 10 advert, in terms, fear
exceeding my merits, 10 the part which il was my
lot 10 bear in The several battles fought in The
Mexican campaign.
The army, of which was member, march
cd from Corpus Christi under the noble old com
mander Rough and Ready, as he is iamiliarly
called, and first joined battle with the enemy al
Palo Alto. The Mexican forces were drawn up
in an open plain, in handsome uniform, thrice
our own numbers, and presenting formidable
appearance. Our troops, however, advanced
upon them in several columns, and depoyed, I'm.
der their fire, with as much beauty and cxaclncss
as il it had been an occasion OF ordinary drill OF
instruction. 1t gave confidence to our own men
The battle, in fact, was half won. On the next
morning the General moved forward 10 feel the
enemy, as he expressed himself, and found them
advantageously posted al Resaca de la Palma
There We won most decided victory. In Sep
tember following we advanced, and, after several
hard days fighting, carried the strongly fortified
CITY of Monterey. Subsequently,, The regiment 10
which was attached was ordered 10 join the dis.
iineushed commander Of our army in his eXpe-
diiion 10 Vera Cruz, where had The great graft
fcation to witness The most beautiful debarkalion
OF an army ever witnessed in any country. In
the investment and bombardment OF the city, |
was delighted 10 witness the practical effect OF
military science-the fruits of West Point; and,
for the first time. The humiialing spectacle OF an
army laying down lis arms at the feet of their
conQuerors.
Our forces next advanced upon the strongly
fortified position OF Cerro Gnrdo, which was
turned (thanks 10 The skill and enterprise OF our
Ensineers,) and the key OF the whole OF the works
CALAMITY carried by assault with single bril-
gadc Next in order, in on: advance, va. the
celebrated castle OF Perote, where we found no
enemy 10 oppose our entrance. We then moved
forward. and occupied Pnebla and its forlihca.
tons. Shortly after, commenced the march of
our army about ten thousand strong, for the CITY
OF Mexico, which was triumphantly entered alter
The hard-iought battles of Churubnsco, Moline
del Rey, Chapuliepec and The Garitas. when our
siaI-spansled banner was seen 10 wave, and still
waves, over the bauemcnls of the palace of ina,
proud city. 0'
have briefly, gentlemen, taken You through
the campaign in which had the good fortune to
serve, and 10 receive the appreciation Of my mill.
AIRY superiors.
give for sentiment. Mr.. President:
Volunteers: Famed as much for gallantry in
ne held as for hospitality al home.
Colonel Meredith said he took pleasure in
'eadins The next toast. 1t was in compliment TO
wo guesIs-he one GohnsoL) Virgnian and a
vel son, who had fought through the battles from
Vera Cruz 10 Mexico-and the other (Worces.
cry son OF the Empire State, whom Virginia
vas glad TO honor for bis conduct and his periIs
n The wonderful expedition OF Colonel Donipbap.
6. Our guests, Lieutenans Johnson and Wor.
ester; Brave and gallant officers.