Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-10-05
ADnRESS:
To- the tennessee Legislature.

this delicate task, but as no seems dsposed'to
volunteer in such a work, and knowing my own
merits better than any else, very reluctantly
propose to speak in my own behalf
Of all history biography is the most interesting,
but 90 not design publishing my memoirs in this
address, farther than, perhaps, giving occasion
al extract from my diary while in the bloody
with Mexico. It becomes me, however, to say that
ali my relations were respectable, though humble.
/ never had the adventitious aids of wealth or an
cestral honors or prestige to advance my prospects
in life. Myself and foreathers all belong the pro-
ductive classes of society, tlling the earth for
independence. None of the family have ever been
especially distinguished, except for general good
morals and a weakness on the liquor question.
This last matter should not be mentioned, but that
] am, perhaps, little over-conscientious in beev-
ing, that, when presents himself for public
station he should lift the veil that covers his little
peCcadilloes, although at the risk of invading the
sanctities of private fe-besdes, may reasonably
hope that it will commend me to the sympathies
of many members of the Legislature, whose appe-
tites are little Maynard like my own.
word as to my politics, before I pass on to
discussion of my services Every man in my civil
district knows that have never been a noisy par
titan, however steadiast to my friends. They
know have never aspired to political station, hav-
ing won military honors in my early manhood that
satisfied my ambition. have always worked as
private, and fear l should remain one if did not
set up for myself: / have known "no North, no
South but have always voted for my friends. l
have supported gentlemen belonging to each par
ty and may, therefore, be consistently taken up by
the Democrats or Americans, both, in the Legis-
lature. will say, however, that contributed
largely to the nomination and election of Squire
Almond, in the 18th civil district in Henry county,
who has since shown bis gratitude, well as his
confidence in me, when the country was in imminent
peril during the late negro excitement by appoint
ing me special patrol. have felt, also, that on
one occasion especially, held the balance of pow
er in constitutes election, in the same district,
aud controlled the result by my vote regret to
say that this latter gentleman has since shown
the most bitter hostility, and said very unciV
things about me, being iustigated thereto by the
malicious whisperings Of confidential friends, who
made him believe desired to supplant him.
To vindcate my own conduct, well as give
small episo ode in the unWrtten history, of the Mex.
services. The declaration of war by the United
States against Mexico found me ayoung man about
town, without "a local habtation or a name" to be
proud of-indeed, il-natured persons called me
loafer, but I scorn to have memory for the evil
things said of me by envious people. / was with
out employment, and embraced opportunity OF
joining the service under Lieut.. Preston G. Haynes,
of Henry county. Some of my friends protested
to Lieut.. Haynes that was little elevated" at
the time Of joining and ought not to be held to
strict accountability for serious and important
act. 1 sought advantage myself from such a
fact-the excitement was laboring under was love
of country-tbere is no stimulant that so enhilar-
rates man in time OF war when he wants an of
fee. We were marched about So miles to Mills
Point KY, and put upon a steam boat, thing
till then not dreamed of in my phiosophy"-tne
greatest wonder 1 had ever seen. When the boat
started off l wholly unprepared for what I ex-
pected would happen in few minutes We had
been but little drilled. was not then much
ei in geography, and, supposed from the putting
and bl owing and other warliGe demonstrations
the boat, that the Mexicans we're the other side
of the river and W" going to pitch right into
them. confess was not comfortable, it was
new thing to me. l was nervous and weak in the
knees. 1 began to think why left horne, had
nothing against the Me1icaDs-none of them had
done me any harm, aud did not feel like XII
ling any of them. l could not so suddenly harden
my heart to the idea of sllughtering fellow beings
who had given me no cause for offense. While thus
gloOmiy meditatng upon my new situation. Lieut.
Haynes slapped me on the shOulders,-I was star
tIed-and asked me how would like to see thou
sand Mexicans did not faint but bad no anx-
iety to form acquaintances. He saw l was un-
well and told me to lie down, did SO, and nothing
of interest happened until We got to New Orleans.
There | saw the "hons" of the city-the 'ele-
plants" were to be seen only in Mexico. While
here l could but contrast the happy condition of
the abOrer with that of the sOldier-the one at
home getting from to two dollars per day
the other a wanderer, with less than % cents a
day, seeking grave for himself or others with no
one to shed tear over it. l began to grow home.
sick, but when went on board the ship for Vera
Cruz this soon yielded to sea-sickness, a nausea
that keeps the stomach empty better than pump,
and iuverts the stomach apparently with view to
discharge its contents through channels. 1
was sick the whole voyage, felt almost happy
when thrown out upon the beach Vera Cruz
under a vertical sun. There was light cannonade
going on at San Juan D. Ulloa 1 never knew why
troops galoping and scouting over the sand hills
near the city. This at last; the sound Of
the big guns affected me most curiOusly, my bow
| els troubled and would not be still. / appre-
ciated then the feelings OF Capt Marryatts valiant
hearted officer, whose cowardly legs always ran
away with him from an engagement with the enc
nv. But here be would have found no place to
run tO-if 20 the sea be was droWned-if TO the
chapperel he would be murdered by a m1stached
guerrilla. l kept close TO Lieut.. Haynes who was
always a comfort TO me--his herculean frame and
witty Jokes seemed to keep danger all distance
But he was taken sick and sent home from Vera
Cruz and was placed under Capt Scantaud, Of
Col. TrousGale's regiment. We were marched across
the country towards Mexico 70 overtake Gen. SCOTS
army in advance Of Us. The sea sickness, the little
comm oton landing, the climate, aud the fatigue
Of the journey rendered me unfit for seutinel duty
though l was generally able to perform my day
light laboFs 20 the satisfaction of my captain
grew worse as We approached the valley Of Mex
leo, where the enemy were in forcs-faa:ly had
TO be hauled Perhaps my suffering condition sill
be better understood by an extract from the repor
OF Capt Scantland to Col. Trousdale-'he is, saic
Scautland's report, he is cut down in the flower o
his youth aud usefulness TO bis country, with al
agouizng Diarrh0a aud is wasting his substauc,
on the desert ART was the old felonious MeIi
eau Diarrh@A that Stayed more Of our brave boy
than we're slain by the enemy. could have born