The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-31
The Great Barbecue to the Volunteers, at
Port Hudson-Speech of Gen. Taylor.


[From the New Orleans Delta, Oct 2l.l
The barbecue, for which the Florida parishes
have been making preparations for some time past,
to be given to the returned volunteers of the Next
can war, was most splendid and spirited affair.
East Feliciana having taken the lead OF all the
country parishes in raising volunteers for the war,
was very properly selected the scene of this
great popular display. There were other reasons,
no doubt, Tor this preference, IN the great supe-
riority Of East Feliciana, in the number aud beauty
of her fair ladies' and In the taste and resources OF
her people in getting up barbecues. The beauti-
full oak and magnolia grove near Port Hudson:
was chosen for the ceremonies, and the ladies of
the neghborhood contributed to heighten the great
natural beauties of the location, by hanging the
trees and the stand erected for the occasion, with
gay flags, steamers and banners, appropriately in
scfibed with illusions to the gallant deeds OF our
soldiers, and particularly OF General Taylor.
AT an early hour in the day, the grounds were
covered with ladies and gentlemen from all the
surrounding parishes; About II NJ, the ele-
giant steamer Luna, Captain Fairchild, ,splendidly
Ornamented with flags and pennons. and crowded
with gentlemen and ladies' from West Feciana,
Baton Rouge, and Pointe Coupee. came up, and
upon signal being given by the firing of old
large company collected along the ridge of the high
bluff OF Port Hudson, the ladies waving their wells
and handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen huzzaing
most vigorously On the landing OF the
Felclana went on board and welcomed General
Taylor to the parish A procession was then
formed made up of LADIES dna and and gentemen'
marched through Port Hudson, to the grove where
the ceremonies were appointed to take place
Here General Taylor was escorted to platform
tastefully festooned with evergreen wreaths, and
hung with banners. The ladies', of whom there
some three or four hundred on the ground
collected around the PLATFORM and with their bright
faces. sparkling eyes, and rosy cheeks, made
charming pdrtelre-whi!s the darker dresses and
sterner faces of the iringed the outside of the
assembage, and gave to it the pleasing contrast of
the dark leaf Of the magnolia it shades the lily
6 T,,,k ~,
the platform, where General Taylor stood, was a
large and splendid wreath of laurel, entwned with
red roses. AS the General assembled the stand
the band struck up a national AIR, and sold Betsy
beloved forth some of her loudest notes. Capt
Chambers then introduced General Taylor to the
company, who received HIM with lively emotions.
There must have been at least twenty-five huh
dred persons present, embracing citizens or all
parties, as well as sexes We rotlced the leaders
and sachems of the democracy of this stronghold
mocratic parish. taking warm and Jealous part
In demonstra ton from which all party feeling
seemed to be banished
vanced. and addressed General Taylor and the
assembly. We could not procure copy of Mr..
Muses. speech, and 1t Is too long to publish en-
He began by referring to General Tayors pareutage
his father having been distinguished soldier OF the
revolution, who, at the battle of Trenton the
gard and admiration of the aher of his country He
then sketched In gra2aie ana torc9.e menner the
rison 1912 to that dt eechobse, in the everglades
of Florida He referred to the sagacity Of the ustri
Gus soldier in designating General Taylor for the
mand OF that difficult and vexatious against the
wary Seminoes. He then passed to the Mexican var
and dwelt upon the intense anxiety which pervaded
the country to the fate of the little the Rio
raude nded by immense force Of the enemy,
and cut off from all reinforcements; how this anxiety
was disspated by the brilliant achieve nts Mt Pao
Alto and Resaca de la Palma He then referred to the
General Taylor when believed to be in the power of
the enemy, instapcng the pames Of several who
distin for their zeal raiing troops He
Colo Mark has nd
Cole. and also the late amented Judge Landry He
alluded also to some citizens Of the parish who had
fallen bi avely in battle, and paid them handsome
tribute He then spoke of the kindly qualities OF
General Taylor relating several instances Of his
sderte kindness to his soldiers and Of his huma nifty
He then skeched the battles of Monterey and Buena
Vista relating anecdote Of the former, of Hber
MAN. who went into battle with pick-axe, with which
he picked hole in the wall and being asked if he
going through it, he replied, he only making an
entrance for of those Mississippi blood. hounds.
After noticing many interesting incidents of the
war; and many illustrations OF General Taylor's
kind -hearted ness, MIR. Mure concluded IN the fol-
lowing words -
In the name then not only Of my fellow citizens as
eommuuity but Of the fathers and mothers who haa
giving them the Spartan command to return with no.
not at ALL he welcomed General Taylor to the
hearts and homes of his countrymen. Yes, General,
we are happy to- day to you among us We have
brought wives and Children out to behold one who
has done much for the honor OF the country. And
children's children shall remember and praise
your great deeds and noble victories upon the banks
at the base of the Rocky Mountains, they shall hymn
your praises and recount your great deeds as have
this mperfecty DONE the banks OF the Mis-
sis.ppi Fear not that the brghtpages you have add
ed to the nations history will ever be torn there
from that your claims to the love and grattu OF
your countrymen will ever fade from their hearts
memories Posterity will never cease to hold you in
grateful recollection. until time shall be no more and
all earthly glory shall sink into the tomb. Welcomes
then thrice welcome heuored patriot and soldier to
the simple Inequalities which republican people ex-
The speech of Mr.. Mure was too long !; but 1t
| was happy in sentiment. fervent in style and ami
mated in delivery. There were parts OF 1t In
which we could detect party bias that might
have been better restrained on such an occasion.
Frequent cheers attested the admiration aud APP
probation of the company, of the eings and sen,
timents of the speeches. Daring the delivery OF
this addrt ss, General Taylor appeared to be much
affected, and when he began his reply. his emo
tions rendered his utterance quite difficult.
GENERAL TAYLoRs ADDRESS.
Mr. SPEAKER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN--It is
with feeling of deep embarrassing MT that attempt
to reply to the eloquent address just delivered, In
which feel my humble services have been too viydly
period have been in the service of my country,
have endeavored to keep in view the constant OBJ
ject my exertions the honor the integrity and the
welfare of my country; and If have been placed in
situations in which able to promote those objects
it attributable rather to the Jealous aid and ener-
getc co. operation of the gallant both of the
gular and volunteer service, whom it has been my
or ability on my part. To them, more than to ysef
belongs the glory Of any results which may have been
opportunity, whilst referring to the achievements of
our arms pressing my deep conviction of the evils
of war; of which, here elsewhere, my mind receives
daily and mournfu proof Throughout my service,
you the proudes moments Of victory have been
and rendered sorrowful by the reflection of
the painful occurrences which it produces; of the
wives made widows of parents made childess offriends
bere of those bound to them by the dearest tes for
the awful results of not confined to the bloody
Of the battle field but disease SOW consuming
disease-more than any of the instruments of war,
scatters death among those engaged in the trying
fatigues and exposures OF military duty OF those who
have died active service In Mexico, the proportion
of those by disease to those who fell the
battle field, is about Eve to For these reasons
as constant witness of all the stern nd painful real
tiles Of war assure you that there Is no who
joices in the conclusion Of the war with Mexico,