Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-09-23
THE HEROES.
The Grafton of Gen. w. B. Bate
Before the Mexican Veterans.

MT reSlueHJ anu DTOlHeTS vi Ine M
tional Association of veterans of the
Mexican War.
This day has been set apart under
the rules of its organization, for the
meeting of our Association at this place
and | have been appointed its humble
organ to address you.
The joy of our greeting is saddened
by the reflection that many familiar
faces have disappeared since our last
meeting, and that death is still thin
ming our ranks, closing up while we
advance, as in our conflict with the foe.
Our beautiful city has been selected
as the place of our meeting; and fifty,
for the hospitality of its citizens, aud
with its associations with the pioneer
settlements of the South and West,
and the operations in their defense.
At this place Gen. Jackson collected
and organized volunteers for thedefense
of our Southern borders, against the
attacks of the Indians and from this
place all the Tennessee volunteers
marched QSder jackson, Carroll and
Coffee to t''e defense of New Orleans
from the invasion of the British army.
Pioneers left here for settlements in
Texas, then territory of Mexico, and
at its invasion by the Mexican army,
under Gen. Santa Anna, General Sam
Houston, a Tennessean and former
resident of this place, was Commander
in Chief of its army of defense, COM
posed largely of pioneers from Tennes,
see.
By the capture of Santa Anna and
the destruction of his army at the bat
tie of San Jacinto, the independence
Of Texas was virtually secured, and it
was shortly afterward declared by the
Government of the United States and
the leading powers of Europe. The
independence of Texas was soon after
followed by its anneXion to the United
States, with its western boundary ex-
tending to the Rio Grande. The an
nexation of Texas to the United States
was resisted by Mexico as a cause OF
war and she organized military prepa,
rations for its invasion.
Allow me, my former fellow soldiers,
to recall some of the leading operation,
of the war that then ensyed, and were
conducted with 50 much honor and
glory to its armies and in its result.
has added SO much wealth to our cOun
try; and hope you will pardon mt
for any expression that may seem t.
complain Of determinations by oul
country in rewarding her soldiers, b,
neglecting those of the Mexican war
To all the propositions by the United
States to Mexico for settling the west
ern boundaries of Texas by negotia
ton, Mexico insisted upon the CLAIM
to the whole territory of Texas, ant
concentrated her armies on the Ri
Grande for its invasion.
Gen. Taylor was ordered by on
Government to occupy the countr,
west of the Nueces to the Rio Grande
and to repel such invasion with a
army that had been increased to abou
1000 men by Texas volunteers and b
marines from our navy. Gen. Taylo
advanced up the Rio Grande and wa
confronted at Palo Alto by the Mex
can General, Arsta, with a force
. 5000 men. The Mexican cOmman
+ was driven from the field, and earl
next morning Gen. Taylor resumed h
>. march to Fort Brown. In the ever
5 ing he was again engaged by the Me,
# lean army at Resaca de la Palma, an
again our troops were victorious, an
. the enemy was driven across the r
+. Grande. War was then declared b
is tween Mexico and the United Stat
/, and to the call for volunteers by IL
o. latter more than 67, 900 responded an
were mustered into service. The fC
lowing table compiled from official +
ports shows the volunteers muster,
into the United States service in Il
Mexican War:
n MaSSNchuSettS....",... ....,....... .
y VIEW .,............,. ii
New Jersey. .............. .................. 4
Pennsylvania. 81
Maryland and District of Columbia. /, =
n, Virginia. minimum. l. |
North Caroliua......... ....... ..............
IS South Carolina........ ......................
ueorgla....,... ........ .......,........,.. !
Aldbahd...,,... ..,...,. ,.................., 2.e
.................
Mississinni 0t