The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-13

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Wa commended for the gallant and close pursuit they
gave Santa Anna being at time between three and
four miles in advance Of the main body.
At the battle OF Contreras his regiment, in General
Sh eds brigage was stationed at hamlet to cut of the
retreat Of the enemy after their route protect
the flank of General Smiths command who soon droy,
them from their position in confusion The following
extract from Gen Shields report gives the OF
the action in which he participated Sc At this
juncfure, ordered the two regiments of my command
10 throw themselves on the main road by which the
enemy must retire. to intercept and cut of his retreat
and although officers and men had suffered severely
during The march of the night, and from exposure
without shelter or cover to the incessant rain until
daybreak, this movement was executed in good order
and with rapdity. The Palmetto regiment crossing
deep ravne deployed both sides the road
most destructive fire upon the mingled Of
ftantiy and cavalry; and the New York regiment
brought into line lower down. and the road SIDE
ivered its fire with like effect At this point many
the enemy were killed and wounded some 365 csptar
cd, OF which 20 officers and amongst the latter
was General Nicholas Mendoza -
At the battle Of Churubusco, Col Burnett having
ial. early In the action severely wounded, the COM
mand devolved upon Lieut.. Col. Baxter. General
Shields IN his report speaks thus forcibly for the
gallsntry of his brigade, the New York and South
Carolina volunteers" In this terrible battle in which
strongly fortified enemy fought behind his works,
under the walls Of his capital loss necessarily
severe The loss ! regret to saw has fallen most
severely upon my command. In the two regiments Of
my own brigade numbering about 600 in the fight the
loss is reported 240 in killed and Wounded The re-
Others as follows In closing this report beg to
offer my thanks to the many gallant officers of my
command for their Jealous and fearless support during
the conflict To Col Burnett, and Lieut.. Col Baxter,
of the New York volunteers; to Lieut.. Col Dickinson
and Major Gladden. South Carolina volunteers as also
to many of their gallant subordinaes every praise
duen
The following extract of letter from an officer of
the New FORK regiment, dated Oct II, 1917, gives
test - 'es'''-' - '-''' ''"'
AT Churubusco the New York regiment made the
first charge alone the South Carolina regiment being
nearly 2Oo yards in the rear coming up by the flank;
Col Burnett fell in the first charge severely nded
with about eighty officers and men.
Lieut. Col Baxter formed the basis of line of attic
for the brigade to form the South Caronans the
came up handsomely. and formed ON our regiment,
when the order being given both regiments charged
in gallant style supported by the 9th infantry
Lieut.. Col Baxter fell MORALLY wounded while lead
ing his regiment in the assault Chapulepec having
received two musket balls in the groin and died in the
city Of Mexico on Sept. 1Sth lS47. The flag of his
regiment was the first to float the CASTLE and to
veteran and distinguished Gen. Bravo sure ndered.
Gen. Quitman speaks thus briefly, but forcibly, Of
Lieut. Col Baxter in his report Of the battle -"The
brave Capt. Van Olinda, of the New York regiment,
was killed at the head of his company; Lieut. Colonel
Baxter Of the same regiment valuable and esteemed
officer, while calamity leading his cammand, fell NOR
tally wounded near the wall"
On the reception of the of his death, the Of
Ulcers of the Second Regiment of New York volunteers
held meeting, at which they passed resolutions
pressve of the high regard they entertained for his
character citizen. his galantry and skill as an Of
of the deep sorrow they felt for his untimey, but
glorious death. Resolutions embodying the same sem
tments, adopted by the Indepe ndent Guard and
the Independent Tompkin Blues, of this city, and
copies sent to his dsconsolate mother This company
at he same time with feeling which did credit to
them, changed their names to Baxter Blues, a
Mento to the memory and honor of their late CON-
mandant.
On the news Of his death being communicated to
the Legislature, resolutions passed expressive Of
their appreciation Of his services and patriotism, and
their for his DEATH copies of which sent
his mother, and both bodies adjourned for the usual
time, as mark Of respect to the memory Of their de-
parted associate.
Alderman Purser offered similar resolutions in the
Common Council, which were adopted in relation to
him and the gallant aud lamented Lieut. Chandler,
nd also one to appoint committee to cooperate with
any military bodies in making arrangements to bring
on the remains of those officers.
His last words, related in a letter. written by q
gentleman, in whose arms he died, to his father,
felt in the glory Of his regiment the honor of his State
and in his own fame. This gentleman attended him
with the kindness and affection of brother On the
night of his death, he awoke from doze and in the
following jocose manner, addressed his friend, Mac
Doc, what are you dong!" The doctor answered that
he writing to his father. Then say to him. that
the New York regiment there, and that fell where
should have fallen at the head of it," These were
the last expressions of this honored of New York
who; few minutes afterwards corpse In the arms
Of his friend.
Thus departed the spirit of of the most promis-
volunteer service of his country His skill and courage
were acknowledged and admired by all who have
victories from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico which
will be SO memorable in our national history In his
death his country has lost valuable and distnguis
ed officer and patriot, his State good citizen and
large circle Of acquaintances esteemed friend He
was kind in feeling, gentle in his department, and in
all his relations Of life conducted himself with the
strictost propricty and integrity.
Fellow citzens-I have thus detailed to you, in
manner far from interesting, fear the prominent
features Of the lives concentrating You will
be struck, rs was, by the extreme youth Of all the
deceased At an age when maturity seems in other
closed by their sacrifices upon the altar of patriotism
The youth which is the reproach cast upon gov
eminent from abroad, seems to invest with its disin
terestedness and its energy the citizens who give the
CHEST glory and the working of republic
Those young were almost all natives of our State:
they reflect glory upon the commonwealth which has
given them to the Union. 1t is singular circum.
stance that they were almost without exception de-
scended from ancestors who had distinguished them
sc Ives in military life and 1t would the Pro-
whence hich watched happy country had
and distribute to the greatest attanabe extent world
ly wealth, and avoid and fear standing armies in time
of peace-yet that our liberties shall be guarded by
the transmission, in unmpared strength, andfull
lume from generation to generation of the valuable
qualities of bravery and military skill and the signal
virtue Of patriotism on which the yindication of our
national honor, and the preservation of position
and fame under Providence, depend. Those gallant
officers, too, vounteers-a class Of military men,
whose merits and dement's have been largely discussed
he Mexican war would to have established the
fact beyond dispute that in active and official
passed by none, and why should 1t not be 10 A
tzen called from the responsibilities and ocatcns
O. civil life leaves behind him those who observe his
conduct. and whose good opinion only be secured
by meritorious and gallant bearing We have right
to expect from hun intelligent action and knowing
he must that his own safety, well the of
the military operations in which he is engaged, de-
Dds on obedience and strict discipline it has seemed
t. me always inevitable that American volunteer Of
good character must make the best soldier in the
world. He has the intelligence which enables him to
appreciate the necessity of obedience, and the posi-
ton at home which pride will not permit him to
sacrifice. With every capacity them to learn his duty
and every motive to stimulate his ambition. il has
not surprised to the extraordinary and unpar-
alleed success which has attended armies in
Mexico composed mainly of volunteers, nor to find
the citizens of New York amongst the first soldiers of
the republic Fellow.citizens: / have endeavored
carefully to avoid anything like indscrminate praise
or exaggerated panegyrcthese not natural to my
disposition; and | could undertake no special duty
howeNe grateful or honorable that should require
10 express sentiments do not honestly entertain.
Fulsome aduation of the dead is not only injurious
IL en-, but IL unjust TO the living 1t seemed to
10