Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-03-08
Col, Bissell and Davis.

The following is supposed To have been the
portion of Col. BIssELLs specc ~ which Col.
DAVIS of the Mississippi Rem, took NOR
tai offense, and for which .. 1- thallenged
Col. d. to mortal Combat
And must now refer to a subject which
would gladly have avoided. ! nude to the claim
put forth Tor a southern regiment, by the gentleman
from Virginia Mr., Seldom Of having met and re
pulsed the enemy on the field of Buena VISTA at that
most critical moment wnen the second Indiana Regi-
men;, through an unfortunate order of their colonel
gave way. Justice to the living, as well as to those
who fell on that occasion, demand of IN" prompt
correction OF this most erroneous statement. And
affirm distinctly Sir, and such is the fact, that at the
time the second Indian Regiment gave way; the
| Mississippi Regiment for whom this claims thus gra-
tuitously set up, was not within mile end a half of
the scene of action had as yet fired gum or
drawn trigger affirm further, sir that the troops
which at that time met and resisted the enemy, and
thus, to use this gentlemans own language" snatch
ed victory from the jaws of defeat where the Sec
ond kentucky, the second Illinois, and portion of
the first Illinois regiments. 1t gives me no pleasure
sir, to be compelled to alude to this subject nor can
perceive the necessity or proprety OF its introduce
ton into this debate. 1t having been introduced,
however, could not sit in silence and witness the
infection ofsuch cruel in Justice upon men, living and
dead whose well earned tame | were monster not
to protect. The true and brave hearts of too many
OF them alas have already mingled with the soil OF
foreign country but their claims upon the justice
of their countrymen can never cease nor can my OBJ
legations to them be ever forgotten disregarded -
o, sir. The voice OF liardin-that voice which has
often been heard III this hall as mine now is, though
more eloquenty -the voice OF Hardin, ny, and o
Mckee, and the accomplished Clay-each wrapped
now in his bloody shrowd-he If voices would re
proach me from the grave had failed in this act
Justice to them and the others who fought and fell b,
NV side
You will suspect me- Mr. Chairman, of havinl
warm feelings on this subject So have and hav
given them utterance, as matter OF duty. In al
J. this, however, by means detract from the gal
e ant conduct and bearing of the Mississippi Regimen
II At other times and places on that bloody field the
did all that their warmest admirers could have desir
. ed. But let me ask again, why was this subject in
d troduced into this debate Why does the gentIema
d say, " the troops OF the North" gave way when h
- means only single regiment Why is all this bl
tor the purpose OF disparagnG the North Tor the Der
e eft of the South Why but for the purpose of fur
e ishng materials for that ceascless, never-endin!
!. eternal theme Of " Southern chivalryl"
Mr. Chairman, the people of the free States hay
= as strong attachment for their brethren of II
Is South at this very moment as they had during II
re- days OF the Revolution, at any subsequent pcroC
. and they will not suffer that attachment to be de
. troyed by designing men in :he North or in Il
South.
know the people of my State. kno
the people OF the Great West and North West: al
know their devotion to the American Union. Al
feel warranted III saying, IN my place here til
when you talk to them of destroying this Union, thu.
us is not man throughout that vast region who will II
On raise his hand and swear by the Eternal God, al
III now do, it shall never be done, il our can sa
it, Illinois proiiered to the country nine regiments
aid in the vlndcatiOn OF her rights in the war wi
nj Mexico And should danger threaten the Uni
from any source, or i'll any qua rtcr, i'll the North
w IN the South, she will be ready to furnish tw
:; thrice yes, four times that number, to march whe
~ that danger may be. to return when it is passed,
so return no more.
ed 1t is reported that the quarrel is settl
Id through the Intervention of Gen. TAYLOR. 7
n, correspondent of the Tribune says Col. DA'
al ook offence on account of Col Bissell's in
'fl nation that he lCol. Davis) "didT do all
OF fighting at Buena VISTA"