The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-31
A Voice from the Old Soldiers.


FoRr VANCOUVER,
Washington Territory, Feb l. 1854,
70 tss Eas,or Of Ms Uaions
SIR; In a letter written by President Polk, and ad-
aressed by him to General Taylor. dated May 3d. 1910.
AFTER the battles OF Pso Alto and Resaca dc la Palma, the
following language occurred in regard to those oaes
To yourself add the officers and soldiers under
vour the gratitude Of the country rs justly due
Our army have fully sustained their deseedy hixh rep
utston aud added another bright page 10 tbe history OF
American yalor and patriotism. They have won new
laurels for themselves and Tor nelr county by
dence in them never allered The battles OF fao Alo
and Resaca de la Palma rank Among our most brilliant
victories and will long be remembered by inc
people When all the details OF these bsles ana OF nv
noble defence OF the camp opposite TO Matamoos sbah
have been received, IL will be my pleasure, ss u VIII De
nv grateful Duly render 10 the ofcers ana men under
your command suitable testimonials Tor Their conduct ~
The brilliant victories which experimenting providence
has enabled them TO achieve Tor Their county,
NV object ir addressing you this communication Is 10
state that the soldiers alluded 10 were Al that time led TO
expect that medal other appropriate testimonial,
would be given them BY Congress- in accordance with
The assurance that suitable testimonials should be
dered both as pleasure" and "duiy"
In their expectations they have. 80 far. been disap-
pointed and Notwithstanding lists were made out for the
purpose on receipt OF the Presidents letter. iestimo-
NAL has ever been rendered except their honorable men
lion in that letter and il is believed tina, the President
intended as his letter expressed, iSrs testimonial
to the men who participated in the dangers OF The dark
days Of the sh and 9th Of May. Is46 dark IN their pros
pects but 80 brilliant in their results.
II further believed that the carrying out at this time
of the evident views OF President Polk afterwards lost
sight OF by him, no doubD will NOT any measure de-
tract from the acknowledged merits OF any troops subse
quenty engaged in Mexico and know that the remnant
OF the little band who fought those two days would
be proud to exhibit testimonial SAY medal
hcate) from The government. AS witness OF their go'
rious participation in those opening OF the war
For my part, although attached to the army as
commissioned officer. and arrived at age when man
is not pleased with fancy and tickled with straw,
vet feel that would be OF patriotic pride to
me 10 be enabled 10 hand down such trifng
tmonia to those OF my name who may come after me-
T. therefore, in behalf of myself and other soldiers
gagged in these two battles and in the affair at Fort
Brown {nany OF whom have spoken with me on the
subject since the close OF the war; in view of these
promises oil the President, do respectfully solicit your
kindness in bringing the subject 10 the notice OF
Congress- its present session, through your columns
confident that 10 you il will not be uDgrateul task
and confident as. tina, will not be passed over slightly
1t may Justly be presumed that about one-half OF the
non commissioned officers and soldiers alluded to are
now living Many killed battle and died OF dis
ease in The subsequen, part of the war number are
still in service.
Mos, respectfully, yours,
A"PRWATE' on PALo ALTO, &c.