The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-07-06

11ahN o. gQAs duncan
The death Of Col. James Duncan, Inspector
General Of ihe Army, is announced IN the Mobile
papers. lie died at the Mansion House in that
civ on Tuesday evening. The Advertiser Of that
city states that be arrived there about fortnight
since tour 81 inspection to the Southern mill
tary posts and araenals. He had beento Louisiana.
and returning through Mobile, took a boat for the
arsenal at Mount Vernon, on the Mobile River.
from which he returned about a week since 10 a
wagon. much fatigued and indis posed. EIisIrisnds
soon found him alarmingly i'll with fever, prob.
ably sngendsred during hls absence in Louisiana.
From this sickness he never recovered with The
best medical nid, the kind care and nursing Of as
sduoqs and devoted friends, Re fingered until
Tuesday morning. when he expired
TITS remains were put charge of the military
and conveyed under escort 70 the arsenal ia the
city They remained there until 2 NJ the ar
tIlery firing haifhour guns upon the city square
AZ five ne waH burisd with military honom
The coffin, surrounded by pall-bearers and
guard q honor was preceded BY military escort
aud followed BY officers Of the Army and Navy;
the Rev. Clergy the Municipal Authorities OIL
cen Of the 9Th Brigade Judges and other officers
Of the Federal and State Courts Officers Of the
Civil Departments ofthe 9. S. Foreign Consuls
S0cietss; strangers and eiFizens
Col. Duncan was one Of the most gallant. accom-
plished and popular officers in the army Among
the youngest Of those whose remarkable qualities
were brought QUE to the public eye by the Mexi.
can war, be had achieved proud distinction and
was reekoned among the bravest and the most
aliul scldierain theaeryice, Asa artillery officer
he had no superior, and we have heard that at the
time Of bis death. bis merits had directed upon him
the attention Of foreign republic, which was soli,
citing him 70 take high command in its service
Whether Duncan would have accepted this olfsr.
we know not. We only know that il would have
been a brilliant prospect Of good service on the
side Of republican faith that would have templed
him from his native land, for he was devoted
y, almost passionately American, in all his i'm.
pulses and aspirations. He was but about thirtv-
eight years Of age, having been born in 1912. and
dies unmarried. 'Whom she gods love die Young.
He lived long enough to secure bright place in
the history Of those who have fought well for their
country but died too soon for his country and his
friends
Col. Duncan was New Yorker by birth, born
we believe, in the heighborhood Of Newhurob
On Orange county We have read that his name
was properly DancansOa, but thai being entered at
West Point, by mistake, he always retained the
shorter name. West Point is within a half dozen
miles Of bis birth place He graduated at the Mill
taFy Academy ii 1895, and entered the army As
Lieutenant Of the 4lh Artillery; in which cana.
city be served against the Seminoles in Florida.
ts was on the Wiihiacochia with Gen. Gaines.
aud was there slightly wounded. In command q
battery. Of Light Artillery, he joined the army
under Gen. Taylor Al Corpus Christi. AT Palo
Alto and at Resaea de la Palma, with Ringgold
and Rldgeley, he was foremost in illustrating the
efficiency ofan arm previously but little appreciated
~ our country, and secured that victory which
esabliahed the prestige Of cur arms, and laid the
foundation Of future success. Alas all three have
died 10 the prime Of life. Ringgold was killed in
battle. Ridgeley, an unsurpassed horseman, per.
lshed by the fall from his horse IN the streets Of
Monterey; and Duncan now falls victim to dis
ease Already promoted to a Captaincy, his ex,
celent service here raised Duncan to the brevei
rank Of Lieut. Colonel. His conduct shortly after
az Monterey again displayed his usefulness again
reward followed and he was advanced to the rank
g COLONEL When Gen. Scott made a call on Gen
AAs'2l ior portion Of the army under his com
aeea Vol Duncan was included in the requIsiiion
~ vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Chufubusco, Moline
qei Aeg' and the gates Of Mexico he was present
- INC lNo INST stacks his arm was not called int,
seli0h' ous rom Shurubusco to the gates Of Mexc,
ms services We're m constant Fequisition and a.
9ppotsullllss presented themselves for distinction
they were seized with his usual avidiFg and tnrnsg
70 lhe benefit ofhis country.
On his return, alter the closing Of The camDsign
the death Of the Inspector General. Col c,ogbsn
afforded the President an opportunity az ,es,iraa
out a substantial reward to the useful soldier y.
was appointed % OH The vacancy. aud Was an
gagged 10 the duties Of his office when arrested 4,
the disease that resulted in bis death.
Col Dnncan'a death will be deeply regretted /
Che army. lie was moi only AN aoeomplishe
soldier bui man Of high ialeniss an accomplishe
scholar and courteous end companionable gentle
nan