The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-18
man who does his duty in an engagement is the

man who does his duty in engagement-itis the
wounded soldier who deserves the reward.
The reputation ascribed to the services of the regi
lnent TO which had the honor 10 belong rests upon
what remains of the regiment. / shall ever esteem
&c proud satisfaction ON my part 10 be permitted
10 share with the gallant rank and file and brave
officers OF that regiment in the honors SO dearly
purchased the fatal hill SIDE where their heroic
commander laid down his life, slow bowed amongst
them like tree" AT that fatal moment, though
death had thus severed the ties between the leader
and his men, the regiment moved steadily forward
Ihey did indeed press on, for the heart of their
great leader had not yet ceased TO beat. Had he
lived to see the end OF that days business-had he
lived to see the victorious entry of the great com
mander -in-c chief into the city, which had been
reared on the ruins of the Aztec empire, the tri
umph OF " the Colonel would have been complete,
and the honors all his own--those honors which by
his death have become the proud inheritance of his
idoized Ninth, and through the regiment of New
England and the country.
Those feelings which have their source in a kind
OF State PRIDE had something to do also with the
conduct of the regiment. The fine corps from
Rhode Island under its gallant officers; the brave
New Hampshire boys under theirs; cheered and en-
couragcd at every step in their progress, were all
ofus by the distinguished head of the brigade, Gen.
Pearce; the fine body Of men from Maine, under
their hardy eaders-one of them good bridge
builder as well as fighter; the rugged soldiers from
the Green Mountains of Vermont under their brave
officers, together with the two companies from Con
necticut, which raised, / am proud to say in
unprecedented short time after the officers re-
ceived their authority to act; these several corps
from adjoining sister States, comprising the Ninth
or New England regiment, were animated by kin
dred impulses, and filled with the same stirring
memories Of their green land, and of its old renown
The time set apart for this ceremony has forced
on my mind a coincidence which would not will
of Mexico, left the 9th infantry for the 18th regi
ment, to which had previously been transferred
and though parted from my old companions in
arms with many painful regrets 4 am proud to say,
that found in the ranks Of the southern and south
western regiment kindred spirits to those had
seen enrolled beneath our northern skies.
And am led to make these remarks with deeper
interest from the fact that the two regiments, the
9Th and 18th, were often thrown together during
the war. The senior officer, the lamented Colonel
of the 9Th led the two regiments into battle at Con-
treras, the 18th commanded by its gallant Colonel
Bonham, of South Carolina; they were together
again at Churubusco, and there, that second bat
held OF the valley within sound OF the cathedral
bells of the doomed city, the of the North and
OF the South, of the East and the West, poured out
their blood together-there fell the gallant Butler,
Of the Palmetto regiment and little further on, in
the charge of Kearneys dragons, fell the daringly
chivalrous Mills, from Connecticut.
And to the right of the enemy's line, where the
gallant Shields led the way, and at the bridge of
Churubusco, where that prince of warriors the la
mented Worth, took the burthen of the battle
every where fell brave officers of the old line and
new levies and gallant soldiers, native and adopted
citizens from all parts of the country; who in the
terrible strife knew no rivalry save that which the
flag of the Union should ever inspire
''Not hate but glory made the chiefs contend"
have little else to add sir, to the few remarks
have endeavored to make in reply TO the address
with which | have been honored on your part.
Some things you have called up from the dim and
shadowy past, which affectingly remind me that
can have nothing to say in reply BY the blessing
Of Providence, permitted to return to the pleasant
land of our fathers, and to the bosom of the State
which had my affections when left, and which
have many new inducements TO honor and ven
crate shall find proud satisfaction in the CRATE
full consideration you have awakened, that my
humble services abroad will be deemed worthy of
a place in the remembrance of my fellow citizens.
The memories you have excited forcibly assure me
that much of the true greatness of the State which
the sons of Connecticut, wherever they go, may
well be proud TO recall, and Jealous TO maintain, Is
clearly due to the distinguished patriotism and
wise craftsmanship of your honored ancestors of
revolutionary fame.
Without having dared to hope for expect the
degree Reconsideration which has graciousy been
awarded to Inc, from the day returned to the pres
ent time, my Acknowledgements beyond the
power OF any language can command. accept,
with mingled emotions of pleasure and gratitude,
this beautiful weapon in token of the sentiments of
my fellow citizens, of the Legislative body and in
the name of the State. press it to my bosom, not
in its hardened aspect of scourge or avenger, but
significant Of that loftier purpose which we see
symbolized in the grasp Of yonder colossal figure
the stern companion of the beam and scales. hold
il forth, not in Its character of mghtest and speedi
est of human Jewelers., but grimly forged by free
mems hands, not in hatred in wrath, but In sol
eu1n earneshess 10 be welded, il necessary, in de-
fence of human liberty, and in maintenance of ma
tional honor Thus DO accept of it, and in sacred
pledge fidelity to the sovereignty of the State over
which you have been called to preside, TO the Con-
stitution of the United States, and our common
country the blessed asylum of the down trodden
nations of the world.