The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-29
PRESENTATION OF A GOLD MEDAL,
Grand Complimentary Dinner,
COLONEL JAMES DUNCAN, Z. s. A.,
AT THE
AstOr House, Last Evening.

One OF the most agreeable and elegant festive
entertainments ever gwen in the metropolis, took
place at the Astor House, last evening, on occa-
SION of the presentation of gold medal to Colonel
Duncan, in token o the regard and steem Of his
tpends and fellow citizens Of the city of New York
At hive o'clock the company began to assemble, IN
few minutes after six, the Hon. Judge EDNoNps,
after calling the assemblage to order read the fol-
lowing
ADDRESS.
S,R-Upop me- ~ the selected organ Of this compa-
n.y. dsvolvsd the agre able task Of presenting for
your acceptance this gold medal struck In commemo
ration Of your services as az ooer OF our army
vices begin ming they did at Pao Alto, and en-
cling every action Except only that at Buena Wis
ta from thence until the final capture OF the CITY OF
Mexico, can scarcely resist the temptation to speak
In q Of unbecomrg exultatiop Of The whole ca
fame history to furnish its Superior net It's ca
But Is We are assembled this occasion to commemo
rate alone your participation in those extraordinary
event. will rather become to abstain from task
to which am conscious should not be equal, and in
respect which could not hope probably 60 do more
iation and wonder which filled my breast, in common
with that Of the whole country My task now though
limited, IL not less grateful one for 1t consti-
tutes me the organ of your to express
to you their admiration of the large share which
you bore In those extraordinary events, and their
gratitude for the distinguished part which you acted
In the career which has shed 80 much honor on our
common country. The arm of the service to which
you attached attracted during the whole war In
very large degree the non Of the whole country
The theory of tho eyng artillery of foreign origin;
but it was reserved for Yankee enterprise guided BY
and Taycr and your gallant associates fully to deve-
lope its and demonstrate Its wonderful EN-
cheney. The establishment Of the first batteries at
Camp Washington, in 1888, under Ringgold, Taylor,
and yourself must be fresh in the Of many
yet It is known to only few suppose that the sxpe.
rims mt was for time regarded with dsfavor and
might ultimately have failed had it not been for the
energy and determined Of those whs had
thus been charged With its immediate
The Of your efforts fully developed in the
first battle with the enemy. Need | pause, in this
dwell upon the extent to which, id the bat
covered our arms, Ringgold's aud Duncans batteries
contributed to the result how servceable
they were In the ensuing conflict at Resaoa! All
that ID written In the history Of that campaign, and
will long dwell in the memory Of your countrymen.
But It remained for you in the last Of these ARRAYS to
display novel element Of ussfulness-:or much to
the eradication of the commanding General you
pursusd with your battery the enemy when in full
ts.n p. ,rG% aided IN their
after the battle of Monterey in which also earned
distinction to the forces designed for an advance on
engaged in the various conflicts at that port
at Cerro Gordo, at San Antonio, Cherubusco,
Moline del Rsy Ghspglssps' st both the Garcia.
actions, you were conspicuously engaged, and in
ali Of them your battery was eminenty useful,
cipline and perfect condition into which 1t had
been brought, and realizing, through your ntry
skin and conduct the high hopes which had been en-
and contributing in large degree to those successes
which announced to the country wi n the rApid
services you have already received from government
the reward Of rapid promotion; and that war which
found you in two short years returned you
to us with the rank Of colonel higher, aud to gal
liant soldier, valuable reward awaits you in the
appreciation of your own conscience and the applause
OF country To convey to you in feeble degree
perhaps the conviction that that applause has deed
been earned Ia object this occasion; and we; as
ct,sens the State which gave you birth and
and wit your growth TO claim the ri rht
TO express for ourselves and for Others the admiration
feel for the distinguished merit you have displayed
and gratitude for the eminent services you have
rendered; and do this with the greater pleasure,
because Of the conviction which Is wrought in our
minds by your conduct, that as long have such
officers to lead our forces into action. craven
fears, cold. bloodei delays will be found in
army to yield up gallant emprize. IL Is with such
feelings that now pray your accordance OF this
medal, slight testimonial of the high which
are assured the whole country must entertain Of
the gallant conduct which we desire appropriately TO
When the applause which followed this address
had subsidized, Col. DUNCAN, in clear manly, and
melodious voice, returned the following
REPLY:
SIR-Taccept through you as the organ Of my file
this evdep Of their Partially and generosity,
designed a compliment to my professional services.
viii not attempt to disguise thou gh Language of
mine adequately express the pride aud gratisa-
ton feel for this distinguished compliment Of m y
fellowcitizens For my own professional suooess, to
which you have so eloquenty referred. feel that [
owe something to chance much to opportunity and
still to the zeal and cordial operation Of the
accomplished officers and brave with whom have
had the honor and good fortune to be associated IL
cannot be denied that the arm TO which have had
the honor to belong since It's first yauizatioo has
exercised an important influence in almo't every
victory that has been achieved by army la Mexoo
For the of this arm 1t Is but natural under
the circumstances, that shoud feel The professional
pride of soldier but feel still greater pride that
my own country has been the hrs5 to sxh,ot TO the
world It's efficiency and Importance fhis Afforded
solation to the amented Ringgod In the last mo-
merits OF his existence. When his surgeon told him
that BE must die he received the intelligence without
emotion, and set about making his preparations for
the Ions journey" With the oooloees OF man whe
IA not afra to die-for he felt that he died 10 good
eau4e-in the cauce of his country After having ds
patched the worldly business interesting and imuor-
tant 20 nj. fatcv nd frisndg whom he was about TO