Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-08-08

more eUeCtudI DlOWS against the StrOng
defences that resisted it.
The history of the whole Mexican war
may be challenged to exhibit harder or
a hotter service than was performed by
you and your dauntless brigade, first in
forcing and dismantling the formidable
outworks of the city, and subsequently
in breaking upand clearing out, under aploughing
fire from every description of artillery and
small arms, the obstinate and deadly OBJ
structions of the streets. In that tupaul-
tuous scene of scattered strife, where ev-
cry building was rampant, and every
house-top redoubt, and your dispersed
troops leaped promiscuously to their work
of destruction over parapets crimson and
slippery with the blood of slaughtered en-
emies, you bore, sir, part never to be
forgotten by those who witnessed your
personal courage and daring on that men,
orable occasion.
There is indeed, General, something in
the narrative of these transactions, that
appears more nearly allied to fiction than
TO thesobsT reality ofxhe history. When
we behold strongly fortified city, whose
works of defence are represented on the
highest authority, to have been construc-
ted according to the best methods and
most approved principles of modern mill
tary science-comple.e ely supplied with
munitions of war-defended in part, too,
by disciplined troops, and they comman-
ded by experienced officers; when we be-
hold that city assaulted-its formidable
forts and outworks silenced and reduced
its batteries and barricades bristling
with ordinance, swept and carried, and a
bloody entrance forced over them,up to the
very gates ofits stronghold; when we re-
fleet that all this, against great disparity
ofnumbers, was principally-nay, almost,
entirely effected with small arms, the mus
ket, the rifle, the sword and the bayonet
we are struck with establishment at the
unparalleled result. We recognize init a
close resemblance to some of those ro-
mantle, and apparently almost fabulous
exploits, recorded of that heroic race of
Grand Marshals, who illustrated by world
famous deeds, the imperial and consular
epochs of revolutionary France. A Mu-
rat and Bernadote-a Eugene and a
Dessaix; Davoust and a Ney, were but
the counterparts and rivals of those adven-
turous heroes, that first tsprung into notice
on the battle-felds of Mexico, and of
whom it is no disparagement to any one
of them, to say, that you, General, rank
ed as the first amongst the foremost, and
the bravest of the brave.
For your signal services on the Rio
Grande, you were promoted to the rank
of Major Geleral, by brevet.-But, sir,
the bravery and soldierly ability display
ed by you at Monterey, were afterwards
surpassed and outshone by your gallant
actions in the valley of Mexico. The star
of your renown had not then eliminated
bright that star was, it was destined
to suffer and eclipse from the lustre of
your own dazzling deeds. .
Your conspicuous gallantry as display
ed dashing your brave division up and "a
gainst the castled hill of Chapultepec,
spurning the terrific vollies from its heavy
guns-your bold advance and attack on
the famous "Belen Gate," where you and
your brave troops were forced for part
of the distance, almost to crawl to your
bloody work, under the shelter of impen-
ding masonry; and where at the head of
your desperate forces, you charged in per-
son through the streets of fame and tenn
pests of ball, mounting upon its battle-
ments, and waving your handkerchief for
banner to beckon on your intrepid fol-
lowers-your impudent menace and au-
dacious defiance of the cannon crammed
citadel of the enemy's capitol-your tri-
umphant entrance into the heart of that
capitol, at the head of your victorious col
umns, full distance ahead of all others
your acknowledged precedence over SO
many ardent and eager competitors in
being the first to plant thestars and stripes
of your country on the proud and gorge
Gus palace Of the Montezumas! All these
grand imposing deeds-capped-off as they
were by your wise and able civil admins
tration as Governor of the subjugated
Mexican metropolis-all,s sir, have passed
familiarly into the history of the times,
and become the cherished property of the
American people. They are SO many ti-
tie deeds to glory and renown, acquired
by honorable distinction in the profession
of arms-treasures of fame ever to be
pIIzCu Ny yOuA AdiAiiy oiAo "a AAsOiAoos oAAu 90
credly preserved by your admiring coun-
trymen.
To magnanimous mind, like yours,
General, the consciousness of having done
your duty and your whole duty to your
country, in the hour of her trial and dam
ger, is alone of itself, an all-suficient re-
ward. The patriot claims no equivalent
demands no reward for sufferings he
endures in his country's defence. But
sir, while a grateful and approvingg govern
ment proffers to you no reward tor your
patriotic devotion, the public authorities
have rightly respected the popular will
fitly reflected the national sense and ap.
probation of your eminent services, by
voting you this superban elegant sword
In their name, therefore, and on Their
behalf, as deputed thereto, now present
to you this beautiful and appropriate token
of the nations gratitude. In receiving
from me, their humble organ, this delicatt
and sacred trust, You have already giver
/ the best pledge, by your deeds, that yor
/ will never suffer the slightest stain Of dis
i hcnr,r r., farn;sh fhe ,rusullied surface n