The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12
The Death of Colonel jaime. Duncan,

From the Mobile Advertiser, July Al
Col. James Duncan, Inspector General Of the
army of the United States, and one Of the heroes
Of the war OF Mexico, Is no more.
sit matters not the time
When We shall quit this pilgrimage below.
Whether in youths bright morn or manhoods prime,
Or when the frost of age has whtened DER the brow
Col. Duncan died on Tuesday, at o'clock A..
NJ, at the Mansion House IN this city He came
here, we understand, about fortnight since, on a
tour of visitation TO our Southern military posts
and arsenas. He had been to Louisiana, and re-
turning to our city, took boat fer the arsenal at
Mount Vernon, from which ne returned about a
week since, IN wagon, much fatlgued and lndls,
posed. HIS friends soon found hun aarmngly Ill
with fever, probably engendered during his abb
sence IN Louisiana. From this sickness he never
recovered. With the best medical aid the kind
care and nursing of asslduous and devoted friends,
he fingered until Tuesday morning, when he ex-
pred.
Col James Duncan was born in the vicinity of
Newburg, New York, and was, at the time of his
death, about thlrty-eeht years of age tie gra-
cuaed at the Military Academy at West Point in
1885. After graduating, he entered the army as
lieutenant of the 4h regiment o. artillery, in which
capacry he served in the Seminole war. He was
with Gen. Gaines at Withlacoochee, in Florida,
and was there slightly wounded In command of
portion Of the light artillery, he joined the army
Of General Taylor at Corpus Christi.
He highly distinguished, himself at Palo Alto,
with Rinoggold and Ridgely. AT Resaca de la
the battery Of Gen. La Vega, we find Duncan, with
his light artillery, advancing upon and routing the
dense bodies Of the Mexican cavalry and their SER
red ranks Of infantry.
Ringgod, Duncan and Ridgely, in those two
battles did much to illustrate The efficiency of an
arm of warfare which was before but little appre-
ciated in our country. Those splendid achieve
tributed established the prestige of our arms, and
LAID the foundation OF our future success.
For his services there Lieut.. Duncan was pro.
NOTED to captalncy, and afterwards was raised
h.. Lr.v Of Col oil Ar. h.,
was found al Monterey, in the midst of the tore
most in that glorious victory. Again was he re-
warded by promotion to the rank of Colonel
1t were impossible in this brief notice to do
Justice TO the merits of Colonel Duncan, or to
illustrate his gallantry and his services by any
elaborate detail Of his achievements. Alter he
Join, d the forces under General Scott he and his
already famous wing of the artillery found at
Vera Cruz, at Cerro Gordo, at Churubusco, at
Moline Del Rey, and at the gates OF Mexico.
Wherever the services of that arm of warfare
could be called INTO action, and opportunity pre-
scented, il was avaed of by the gallant Duncan.
The services he rendered to his country in all
those brilliant battles won for him an enviablc dis
tnction and an enduring fame.
On his return TO the United States, after the clos
ing OF the campaign, he was received, honored
and Toasted, as his brilliant achievements merted.
Further honors from his grateful country awaited
him. The death OF Col. Croghan, Inspector Gene
raj OF the army gave to the Presdant the opportu.
nifty to do signal honor to the gallant Duncan, and
confer upon him substantial reward. He was
appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
death Of Col. Croghan. In the performance of
the duties of this office the messenger Of death
found him.
The soldier, in the performance of soldiers
duty meets death where'er his duty calls him. The
gallant Duncan, who faced this dread foe unframed
through all the great battles of Mexico, in which
he distinction and renown has met it at last in
our city. Sympathlzng and kind friends were
around TO alleviate distress and receive his parting
nunctions. He died in the PRIME OF his useful
ness, when the distinction he had earned made life
radiant with hope, and honors were showering
upon his path,
lie was buried last evening with military honors.
The coffin, surrounded by pail bearers and
guard Of honor, was preceded by a military escort,
rev clergy he mnnicipal authorities officers of
the 9th brigade Judges and other officers of the
Federal and State Courts officers of the Civil De-
parmentss If the u. =; foreign consus societies;
strangers and citizens.