Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-19

Bryant: fourth ward, George s. Gideon and W.
H. Winter: fifth ward, John Purdy and Peter
Brady; sixth ward. VIM. NJ. Ellis and r. H.
Harrington; seventh ward, VIM. B. Randolph
and l. W. Jones'
OTHER DISTINGUISHED NAMES.
When we recall the incidents which have now
passed into history and which seem as far be-
hind US as the war Of the revolution the names Of
those who are yet with Us come up and we pay
our tributes to their valor. Mai. Lalley. whose
name is engraved on the scroll of fame won
his laurels in Mexico, and we meet him occa-
sionaly: Col. Augustus Nicholson and his
brother, the admiral, began their career in
Mexico; Forbes Britton. Arnold Harris, Ripley
Arnold. Ben Beall, Eugene Boyle and the many
Others who participated in the dangers Of in
vadlng the enemys country and encountering
an overwhelming force. which now read like
romance. Col. VIM. p. Wood, who was one Of
Walker 8 men, but who. with Others were I'M
der Gen. Sumner, consolidated with the regu-
lars, while Capt Walker was allowed only
company until promoted. Col. Wood says they
claimed to be known as Walkers men," and
when a storming party was called for walkers
men led the assault at Chepultepec and at the
Garcia de Balm, where the severest fighting
took place before the City of Mexico surren-
dered, which was done at that date to Gen.
Quitman. and SO recognized by Gen. Scott in
MS Omclai report.
THE PAINTING IN THE CAPITOL.
Those who gaze upon the painting by James
Walker at the head Of the stairs leading to the
gallery Of the Senate, the storming Of Chepul-
tepec. will be struck by the seeming impregna-
BILE position of the Notifications and to some it
would appear exaggerated. l saw the picture
from Its inception. when first "sketched in
until completed. and that view struck ME, and
! asked Mr. Walker if he was not increasing the
lmpediments, which seemed almost beyond
human power to scale under the heavy fire from
the fort and Notifications outside He showed
me his sketches taken on the spot, and said:
truthful as they are, cannot convey an ade-
quate idea Of the rocks, ravines, mines, &C..
which had to be surmounted before reaching
the tort. MIR. Walker was present. and as soon
as possible after the taking OF Chepultepec he
made sketches OF what was retained in his mind.
mat picture was painted, as ! understood, by
order Of Gen. Meigs.
OTHER PAINTINGS.
In the War Department there are dozen
cabinet pictures of the battles of the American
war, painted by Mr.. James Walker with such
finished detail reminds one Of MISSIONER
and Detaille. The picture Of Chepultepec
was painted in the room now occupied by
Brady's gallery. Mr.. Walker painted another
large picture Of the assault Of the palmetto
regiment at the battle of Moline del Rev, but
where IT went cannot recall. had an oppor-
tunity OF seeing the artists at work on the pic
lures which adorn the stairs Of the two houses
OF CONGRESS Poweils Battle of Lake Erie"
was painted in New FORK in the armory on 14th
street, and l had an opportunity Of seeing it
several times during the progress Of the work.
The boy midshipman next Commodore Perry
III the picture is one Of Mr.. Belmonts sons, a
grand nephew Of Commodore Perry When
Lutte Was painting the fresco Of Westward.
the star OF empire. &C., was admitted be-
hind the screen where he was at work. l was
astonlshed at the rapidity with which he seemed
to dash the colors on the damp plaster but
with unerring certainty Between my visits to
him there the picture seemed to grow. Powell
and Walker worked much slower. but of
course the difference in the surface they
had to cover enabled them to do so and vet no
detail is wanting in Luitze's picture. l lost
sight of Mr.. Walker after some years spent here
and presumed he was the James A. Walker
whose military subjects are commended very
highly in Paris and find space in the salons
He is an American and if am not mistaken has
gained medal and his paintings are now hors
concors. 1t was not Mr.. James Walker; he died
about year ago in some western city. Another
artist. Mr.. Troye, who painted the life size
equestrian portrait Of Gen. Scott, now in the
Corcoran gallery ranked very high as a PAINTER
of portraits and of horses. He painted many of
the famed heroes Of the turf, among them
Boston" with his rider Gil. Patrick, for his
owner, Col Long This picture Of Gen. Scott
was painted soon after the Mexican war; under
an implied order of Congress, and was very
glad to see the library committee Of the Sem
ate had recommended its purchase. Capt.
Walker was received with distinguished honor
at that early date in New York and Mr.. Brady
secured picture of him.
NEWS FROM THE FIELD OF BATTLE
This revival Of the Mexican war recalls the
anxiety with which We awaited news from the
fields Of battle. The news then came BY boat
and pony expresses were run from the steam
boat wharf with the mail to the post Office. and
II there were generally passengers who could
tell something of events the riders Of the ex-
press would shout what news they had gathered
AS he rushed past the anxious crowds gathered
on It'll street. When news came of a battle
how eagerly the list of killed and wounded was
scanned. So many had gone from here and
Baltimore that We felt personal interest in
every man. The death of Randolph Ridgeley.
Col. Ringgold and Col. W. H. Watson who were
among the first to fall, and Of Capts Hanson
and Graham. caused a very deep sorrow, and
the funerals here and in Baltimore were most
elaborate testimonials of grief and honor. The
first death which occurred in the Rio Grande
Col. Truman Cross. assistant quartermaster
general. He accompanied Gen. Taylor
in Texas, as one of Corps of
observation and was murdered by a band of
outlaws. VIM. B. b. Cross and Alex. Cross
were sons of Col Cross and resided here until
the war between the states. when they went
south. and at the close OF the war returned to
Washington. and both died here, / think
Among those mentioned in Gen. Taylor's re-
port Of the battle OF Buena Vista who were so
well known here were Capt. Albert Pike, Gen.
Thos. L. Crittendcn and Maj. Andrew r. Potts.
After Capt. Walker had waited in vain for the
revolvers promised as part of the equipment of
his men he went to the President, Polk, and
rendered his resignation unless that part Of his
equipment were supplied. The President de-
cllpad To ha md hv 10