New-York tribune., 1907-11-18
CITY GIVES OLD FLAGS.
RELICS OF MEXIC4N WAR.
Turned OUer to Government an
Hands of TOttering Veterans.

Major General Frederick D. Grant commanding
the Department of the East; Rear Admiral Caspar
F. Goodrich, commandant of the Brooklyn navy
yard besides representatives of patriotic societies
and of every regiment in the First and Second
brigades of the National Guard of New York.
The occasion was the formal presentation by the
city to the United States military authorities of
the battle flags carried through the Mexican War
by the 1st Regiment New York Volunteers The
little band OF colorbearers were veterans of that
war, four of them having followed these very
flags from the siege and capture of Vera Cruz to
the City of Mexico. And these men. the youngest
only year under fourscore. We're recalled from
their retirement yesterday take part in cere-
mony that brought to their memories tho triumphal
reception the 1st Regiment received when 1t re-
turned to New York July p, 1913. and LETT the
banners in the Governors Room at City Hall
Those who were honored yesterday were the last
OF the regiment. and there glimner THAI
might have been Of tears in their eyes as they
witnessed, the climax the function. the piac-
ing of the flags the walls of the post chapel o.
St Cornelius the Centurion
The transfer of these relics the result of a
unanimous resolution of the Board Of Aldermen
October l, and yesterday President MCGOWAN
Of the board present to witness the effectins
of this. The speech of presentation was made on
behalf Of the city by Colonel Asa Bird Gardiner.
and Major General Grant feellngly expressed his
acceptance. There an elaborate programme OF
music in the religious service and a sermon by
the Rev. Charles c. Pierce. chaplain of the United
States army, who mad come from Washington 10
take part in the affair.
But when the delegations and guests arrived at
South Ferry yesterday afternoon to board the gov
ernnent ferryboat General Hancock all eyes sought
the veterans Out the end OF the pier stood group
of dozen aged men who had seen service in Mex
leo half century ago. The FIVE banners, protected
by red bunting furled round the stats, marked the
positions OF the leaders The national colors were
carried by First Sergeant Jacob Rich Riley, the
regnlental coIors by Sergeant Charles II. Farrell.
A. Div Tof,r, and pf-
mental guidon by Private William Daily.
All Of these men were in the 1st Regiment The
bearer oG the other regimen:al guidon Private
James Butterdeld. who In the Sd United States
Infantry during the Mexican War. That William
Daily was still alive became known to his old
rades only three days ago, and up to that time II
was supposed that both guidons must needs be car
ried by veterans who not OF the 1st Regiment
But Private Daily. who had been wounded at Vera
Cruz had served through the Civil War. and for
several years has lived in the United States SOL
ders' Home in Tennessee When he read of the
proposed transfer Of the flags TO New
York and informed the committee OF his identity.
II wanted TO the old flags once more" he said
as he stood on the forward deck among his vener-
able companions and clasped the gudon to his side
And them too he went on with twinkle in his
dim eyes. II the boy of the regiment. for I'm
only seventy-nine and 1 had a lot of trouble
enlisting."
When the General Hancock drew into the slip at
Governors Island Major General Grant and his
staff. with Rear-AdmraI Goodrich and his aid
were standing the little knoll up which the road
winds along officers row Near them was the
18th United States Infantry band and an escort
As the veterans moved of with the colors the band
began to play and the little knot about whom all
the ceremony revolved stood talking In low tones
together while the parade began to form under
the direction of Colonel William Henry Chaplin
Inspector. n. G., n. Y. who acted as marshal
Twenty men of the Veteran Artillery. State of New
York. under Captain Howard Pen. made a pct-
uresque color guard in their heavy old style shakos
and uniforms
When the line formed Colonel Chaplin ad- |
vanced and was received by General Grant and !
Admiral Goodrich II was a pretty sight in the !
bright sunlight, and moment later the band led +
of in the march TO the chapel. General Grant /
walking beside the admiral, was followed by his /
stan and Colonel Allen with the staff OF the 18TH \
Regiment. L. s A. Then came the Veterans with /
their guard. Behind them marched the colorels. /
national guard colonels with stafrs ana repre-
sentatives of patriotic societies.
From the Society of the Cincinnati the delegation
made up OF Talbot Olyphant. Francis Key
Pendeton Francis Burial Hoffman. George Wash
ington Olney, John Bradley Lord. Cornelius Van
derbilt and Dr. T. NJ L Chrystis From the So
ciety of the War of 1872 Dudley Evans Her
bert Livingston Satterlee, Nathanie. Appleton
Prentiss jr. and Beverly Chew. The Aztec So !
ciety OF the with Mexico sent as a delegation |
John W. Brannan, William Turnbull Edward II
Floyd-Jones, Macrae Sykes Loyal Farragut ana !
William NJ Sweeney. The Military Order of the
Loyal Legion represented by Rear Admiral
Joseph p. Coghlan, L. s \. IRE q ed: George De
Forest Barton. Anson ]. McCook GiIsert H. Me-
E<bbin. Edward Wilkinson Rogers and William ].
Harding.
At the west entrance to the gray stone chapel
the band drew a position or the lawn while Cen
eral Grant. Admiral Goodrich and the ether Of
fcers preceding the colorbearers stood on either
side Of the walk. Down this aisle of distinguished
men the five veterans marched. and ON eithe- side
there sslutes the red bound stans AT
the very steps of the the bunting was re-
moved and the tattered ensiGns flung to the
breeze
smith, the chaplain OF the island, they carried ths
iaSs inside where they stood until the procession
cation many women. but it was esseutially
l military gathering. The clank OF swords the
)ropriate accompaniment the audience armed
70 watch the color bearers march down the aisle
holding the trophies. and evidently almost over
ome by their emotion coupled with the unusual /
In his speech of presentation Colonel Gardiner
eferred 10 the regiment raised by Colonel Ward |
" the State of New York in the Mexican War"
md explained that, although another regiment had
Var Department, this not recognized by New
yorkers as proper designation.
he actions 1t entered no spoke of the reception ,
,ven the survivors on their return to New York ,
bile TO take part in the review and each soldier I
eceived silver medal from the city The vet
md one of them fingered the medal on his coat.
Colonel Gardiner turning toward General Grant
re placed IN your keeping. and let us pray '
hat God Almighty may continue to give the vic y
hall as heretofore M Wage IsHI MAR IN !1st cause
olcrs which were borne by noble heroes on many 2
These banners bring deep sentiments