Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-13
DEATH OF GEN DUNCAN.

A Geographic despatch from New Orleans,
dated Saturday, 7th instant, announces the
death of Col. James Duncan, Inspector Cen
eral Of the Army of the United States, at the
Mansion House in Mobile, on the preceding
day. The Colonel had been lying dangerous
ly i'll for some days prior to his decease.
Colonel James Duncan was born in Orange
county, N. Y about the year 1914, and was,
therefore, still very young man at the time
of his fatal attack. In early life he entered
the academy at West Point, where he soon
rose 10 be one of the most eminent OF his class
lie graduated in 1884, and entered The artie-
re-. His first service was in Florida, where
he narrowly escaped with his life, hostile
ball on one occasion striking the scales OF his
cap Afterwards he was stationed on the
Lakes, where he remained during the Cana
dian troubles. Subsequently he was trans
| ferred to Fort dams, at Newport, R. where
he was occupied for some time, in disci plining
| the flying artillery and in the end he brought
his batteries 10 state OF such perfection, tina!
they rivalled, if they did not excel, those of
Ringgold, in efficiency.
Duncan was, perhaps, the ablest man in the
army, for his age To him, in conjunction
with Ringgold we are indebted for the eff.
cheney of our flying artillery an arm OF the
service whose terrible power was proved in
every battle of the Mexican war. Duncan
served in every principal battle during that
contest, with the exception of Buena Vista.
AT Palo Alta, he commanded the guns on the
| left, and, by brilliant flank movement, at a
critical period OF the contest, assisted material
| ly to win the cay. At Resaca de Ia Palma,
/ he headed the pursuit of the flying enemy, his
artillery advancing at galIop AT Monterey
be served in Worths division, and it was
principally by the fire OF his batteries, on the
morning of the 2lst of September, that the IA
nous charge Of the Mexican lancers was so
speedily repulsed. At Churubusco, he assisted
in the assault on the tete du pont, and, by
sweeping the causeway with grape, material
ly assisted 10 carry that important position.
At Moline del Rey the general direction OF all
the artillery was entrusted 10 him, nor was
the selection made in vain, for, in that bloody
fray, the rapid manner in which he poured in
the tlIe of his batteries, not only repulsed
desperate charge of the enemy's cavalry, but
compelled the MeXicans 10 abandon the Casa
Mata, impregnable as it had been considered,
AT Chapultepec also, Duncan performed i'm
portant services. In Short no other subordi-
nate officer, perhaps, during the whole war,
contributed so much to the success of our arms.
In 1876, Just as the war with Mexico broke
out, Duncan was promoted TO the rank of
Captain For his brilliant services at Palo
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, he was brevet-
ed Lieutenant Colonel. During the remain
der of the war he was, on occasion of every
battle where he served, most honorably mem
toned in the official dispatches The result
was that his reputation rose in proportion,
and when, shortly after the declaration of
peace, the Inspector General, Col. Croghan,
died, Duncan, though but thirty FIVE years old,
was called 10 that responsible and honorable
post-PhW. Bull