Col. Davis, Lieut.
Col. McClung—Officers and Soldiers of the First Mississippi Rifles:
Veteran Volunteers—the
Star Regiment—men of Monterey—men of Buena Vista! Never was there assigned to
any one, a more grateful duty, than that which has been conferred, by the partial
favor of the citizens of this city and county upon the individual who now
addresses you: the office of expressing to you, feebly though it be, the warm
and gushing sentiments of heartfelt pride, gratitude and congratulation, with
which they throng to hail and welcome you, on your safe return from the fields
of your, and their country's glory. All that surround you the hale and the
infirm—the aged and the young—the Fair—those discriminating and devout admirers
of the brave, who constitute, at once, the resistless incentive to gallant
deeds, and the priceless reward of those who have passed through the purifying
baptism of fire,-all, all, with one sympathetic and enthusiastic accord, press
forward to join in the general jubilee of triumph and exultation:
"While from the scaffolds, windows, tops of houses
Are cast such gaudy show'rs of garlands down,
That e'en the crowd appear like conquerors,
And the whole city seems, like a vast meadow,
Set all with flowers, as clear Heaven with stars."
High, as had
previously been, the character of Mississippi for deeds of noble daring, when,
under the chivalrous Hinds, on the plains of Chalmette, her cavalry excited the
"astonishment of one army and the admiration of the other," you have
exalted that character to a still higher pitch of glorious elevation. The first
to carry a fortress in Monterey,—at Buena Vista, a small but determined band of
less than 300, you held in check an assaulting column of 6000 men. Calm, steadfast
and immovable, as a rock firm—seated against the innumerable and impetuous
billows of the ocean, you held the enemy, as with the iron grasp of Destiny,
steadily to his place; until, upon the coöperation of the gallant Bragg and the
death—storm of his artillery, by your joint efforts, you drove him headlong and
howling from the field. Upon our corps of artillery, too much praise cannot be
bestowed. Always, in the language of your Commander-in-chief, in the right
place at the right time-they mainly contributed to the achievement of the most
glorious victory, which emblazons the annals of our country. Like the Legio
fulminatrix, the fulminating legion of Aurelius, their appropriate device should be, a winged thunderbolt; denoting, at
once, celerity of motion, unerring certainty of aim, and irresistible and all-overwhelming
power. Nor will our feelings of national
pride permit us to pass by in silence, the gallant bearing of the soldiers
of our sister States. Louisiana, nobly prodigal of her men and her treasure,—Kentucky,
the State of the bloody ground—Tennessee, Illinois, Texas—Americans all—all
generous competitors for the prize of honor—all resolute, as Spartans, to
return crowned with laurels or borne on their shields. Never, even in the
palmiest days of chivalry, did more stalwart and devoted knights enter the lists
of the proudest tournament;—never were the interests and honor of a country
entrusted to more valiant and determined hands. Why, it was like the fire races
of the ancients. From officer to officer—from man to man-from county to county—from
State to State—from regulars to volunteers—the torch of glory was passed in
such bright and rapid succession, that the horizon of the whole Union has
become radiant and burning with the blaze.
But while we exult
with the living, let us pay the merited tribute of our tears—of proud, though
bitter tears—to the memories of the glorious dead. Tearing themselves from the
enjoyment of ease, comfort and competence,—from the blessings of family and
friends,—from all that man holds dear, save Honor,
they rushed, with you, to the rescue of their fellow citizens, in a distant and
hostile land. To the citizen soldier the voice of his country is always
imperative.
Say that it is his country's will
And there's the foe,
He has nae thought but how to kill,
Twa at a blow.
Nae cauld faint-hearted doubtings tease him;
Death comes, wi' fearless eye he sees him;
Wi' bluidy hand, a welcome gies him:
And when he fa's
His latest draught o' breathin' lea'es him,
In faint huzzas.
Such were McKee, and
Hardin, and Yell, and Clay, and Watson, and Lincoln, and all, all who bravely
and nobly fell, striving in the front ranks, to uphold the honor of our flag;
and to wrest from the hands of chance, the evergreen chaplet of victory.
Pained, heart-stricken, as we are, at the loss of such men, there are yet
mingled with our regrets, consoling sentiments of proud and patriotic
exultation. Great, invincible, deep seated in the affections of its citizens
must that country be, upon whose altars are laid such priceless victims, as
free offerings.
To live with fame,
The Gods allow to many! but to die
With equal lustre, is a blessing, Heaven
Selects from all the choicest boons of fate,
And with a sparing hand on few bestows.
Honored and
cherished were they in their lives. Embalmed in our memories, they ever shall
be. Death has made them immortal. Hallowed, to all future time, be the earth in
which repose their honored bones; and woe to the head that would counsel, or
the hand that would sign a surrender of one inch of soil, which has been
appropriated by the precious blood, and made sacred by the sepulture of an
American soldier.
To your Commander,
fellow citizens of the Star Regiment, highly as we appreciate his merits as a
soldier, and grateful, as we are, for the honor he has conferred on our State,—we
must beg leave, on this occasion, to express our additional thanks, for an act
of disinterested and noble generosity. When the terms of the capitulation of
Monterey were assailed—when reproach was attempted to be cast upon him, who is
first in honor as the first in place-when a stigma was sought to be fixed upon
the Hero of the age-on that man of iron will, upon whose sword sits Victory
laurel-crowned—whose praise, Time with his own eternal voice shall sing—when
"the Eagle of his tribe" was hawked at by mousing owls—and when it
was attempted to drug with poison the chalice of congratulation-when the
serpent of defamation was cunningly concealed in the chaplet of applause; who?
disinterestedly, nobly, in the frank and fearless spirit of a true soldier;
who, generously, manfully and effectively stood forward in defence of a brother
soldier? Who was it, that did not only scotch, but killed; aye, and seared the
reeking fragments of the lurking reptile? Col. Jefferson Davis, of the
Mississippi Rifles. Thanks, honor, to you sir! for such noble conduct. Your own
conscience approves the act; and the voice of a grateful country sanctions and
sustains the approval.
When I look upon
that country, supported and sustained by the heroes of Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, Monterey, Cerro Gordo, Sacramento, and the American Marathon, Buena
Vista!—when I see hosts, armed and accoutred, spontaneously springing from her
soil, as if sown with dragon's teeth—when I see heroes, bursting forth in full
and glittering panoply, as sprang Minerva from the front of Jove—she seems to
me like the revered Cybele, the Mother of Gods,
"Omnes Caolicolae! omnes supera alta
tenentes."
I see her seated
upon her triumphal car, drawn by trained lions. patient alone of the curb of
discipline, and on her head a turretlike attire, the emblem, at once, of
independent strength, of deep-seated security and of offensive, defensive and
self-avenging power. Honor then to the banner of the Union! Honor to the men
who have upheld its honor! Welcome! thrice welcome the victors returned from
the fields of their fame! Glory to the heroes of Monterey! Glory to the heroes
of Buena Vista! And in the language of your own McClung, "Three cheers for
General Taylor—the stout-hearted old soldier—the Blucher of America—who gave
the battle—and three cheers for the gallant hearts that won it.
_______________
Col. Jefferson
Davis, on behalf of his regiment and himself, delivered a most beautiful and
heart-thrilling response to the complimentary allusions to the heroic deeds and
gallant conduct of himself and his command. We much regret that it has been out
of our power to obtain even a sketch of his eloquent and appropriate remarks.
Being indisposed nearly the whole of yesterday, we have labored under great
disadvantage in giving a description of yesterday's proceeding. Col. Davis'
remarks were eloquent and apt, in the highest degree. After paying a deserved
tribute to the unflinching bravery of his men, to their discipline,-to the
unquailing courage with which they manfully stood up and fought when the odds
against them so fearfully preponderated that defeat seemed certain and ruin
inevitable, he gave a most glowing description and paid the merited meed of
praise to the second in command-the undaunted Alexander K. McClung—who first
charged home upon the first taken Mexican fort in Monterey. These remarks were
received with unbounded applause by the vast concourse within the hearing of
his voice. He then rapidly passed over a retrospective view of the situation
and condition of the army under Gen. Taylor at the capitulation of Monterey—described
the destitution of means of transportation and provision under which the
commanding general labored—defended the capitulation and impressed upon his
hearers convincingly, its necessity, its policy, and the general benefit which
the American arms and government had derived from it—spoke of old Rough and
Ready as the great captain of the age, and one whose deeds of generalship and
noble devotion to country entitled him to the gratitude of the people of the
United States in as great a degree as he had excited the admiration of the
world At every mention of the name of Gen. Taylor, the applause of the
assemblage made the welkin ring. Col. D., in his address, displayed not only the
frankness and honesty of the veteran soldier, but the fearlessness and zeal
characteristic of true heroism, in standing up and vindicating his glorious old
commander from foul aspersion and base insinuation. Would that Jacob Thompson
had heard that speech. We again reiterate our regret at not being able to
furnish a full synopsis of this most eloquent address. Indisposition and other
causes, have, however, placed it out of our power, but if we can obtain a copy
of it we shall enjoy both pride and gratification in laying it before our
readers.
After the applause
occasioned by the speech of the gallant Davis had subsided, the name of McClung
was shouted forth, as if the lungs of the whole vast assemblage were put in
requisition to echo that glorious name. Lieut. Col. McClung responded to the
call in a strain characteristic of true heroism and of the well-tried gallantry
of the veteran soldier. He was most happy and appropriate in his remarks, and
his tones reminded us of an occasion, perhaps not as interesting, but fully as
important, when his clarion voice rang like a trumpet through the land calling
upon the people to vindicate their just rights and to rebuke all aggressions
that were attempted to be practiced upon them. He disclaimed, as far as he was
concerned, any laurels that might be attempted to be entwined around his brow
for the successful storming of Monterey. He claimed no more credit for that
glorious achievement than that which was due to every officer and private in
the whole regiment. Here the gallant and war-scarred soldier was most eloquent
and happy in his remarks. He declared that every man fought as though the
laurel crown of immortal glory was within his own grasp as though the brightest
wreath of fame and the everlasting glory of the victor was extended only for
him to reach and clasp it. He rendered to all—subordinate officers and
privates, that meed of praise to which the universal acclaim of the nation was
allowed them. He spoke feelingly of the trials and of the services of our
gallant Riflemen, and while he claimed for himself no more than he yielded to
the humblest private in the ranks, he was grateful for the indications of
respect and esteem which his fellow citizens had profusely lavished upon him.
At the conclusion of his remarks the gallant Colonel was greeted with loud and
prolonged applause.
At the conclusion of
Col. McClung's address the crowd generally dispersed to different parts of the
promenade ground and to the city. After a short interval the Rifles and the
escort volunteer companies were mustered and marched to the tables for the
purpose of taking needful refreshment, after the fatigues of the day. And here
it is proper to say that the sumptuously loaded board, and tastefully arranged
arbors reflected the greatest degree of credit upon the Committee of
Arrangements. When we take into consideration the shortness of the time they
were allowed to perfect the organization necessary to ensure success, it is
really wonderful that they accomplished so much.
When the eatables
were removed and the cloth cleared, toast and sentiment sped merrily around the
board. Doctor L. P. Blackburn, acted as President, assisted by Josephus Hewett,
Esq., as Vice President. We give below the regular toasts and as many of the
volunteer ones as we could procure. The lateness of the hour and want of room
prevent us from giving details. It is enough to say, however, that the mere
mention of the name of old Zack Taylor was the signal for thundering applause
and a sure index to the strong hold he has upon the affections of the people.
The sentiments to Davis, McClung and Bradford were greeted with that
approbation which a grateful people always bestow upon true merit.
The regular and
volunteer toasts (as far as we have been enabled to obtain them) will be found
below:
REGULAR TOASTS
1st. Our Country.
2nd. The President
of the United States.
3rd. The Army and
Navy of the United States.
4th. Major General
Zachary Taylor.—His Country relies on him. "He never surrenders."
5th. Major General
Winfield Scott.—The Hero of Lundy's Lane and Cerro Gordo. Skilful in plan,
terrible in execution.
6th. Col. Jefferson
Davis.—In counsel, the ready defender of the noble and meritorious against the
foul vituperations of myrmidons; in battle, the unyielding bulwark of his
country's glory.
7th. Col. Alex. K.
McClung.—Mexican ramparts proved no obstacle to his onward march to fame and
renown; Mexican balls could never crush his bold and daring spirit.
8th. Major Alex. B.
Bradford.—His undaunted bravery, and unflinching patriotism has placed him high
in the estimation of his countrymen. With propriety we may style him the modern
Putnam.
9th. The Officers,
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the First Mississippi Regiment.—True
to the lead of their gallant Officers, as their unerring rifles to the mark;—unswerving
in battle, as the shore to the sea, they proved at Monterey that ramparts may
be stormed without regulars. At Buena Vista. that Cavalry may be repulsed
without the bayonet.
10th. The First
Mississippi Regiment.—In making and receiving a charge, unsurpassed and
unsurpassable. Overwhelming as the Ocean's wave—immovable as the Mountain rock.
11th. Old Kentucky.—Her
fallen brave proves too melancholy that she too was in the field.
12th. The brave Officers
and Men who fell at Monterey and Buena Vista. Though their bodies be in the
soil of their enemy, their deeds shall live in the recollection of their
countrymen.
13th. The Ladies.—First
to cheer the soldier on—first to welcome him back. Cherished be the dear ones
who strew the soldier's path with roses.
VOLUNTEER TOASTS
By R. M. Gaines—The
First Mississippi Rifles. They have acted out the spirit of that mother who
told her son to bring back his shield or be brought back upon it. Their fame is
the property of their country, but especially of the state which sent them
forth to battle. They are as "a city set upon a hill which cannot be
hid."
By Dr. L. P.
Blackburn—Cols. McKee and Clay. Twin brothers in honor and chivalry, they sleep
together the sleep of the brave, the mention of one awakens melancholy
recollections of the other.
By J. Hewett, Esq.—The
Birth-day of Washington and the Victory of Buena Vista—Glorious deeds on a
glorious day. Col. Doniphan.—His unprecedented marches and brilliant
achievements have stamped his name with the seal of immortality.
By J. L. Mathewson,
formerly of this city, now of New Orleans, an invited guest, after some remarks
relative to the kind reception given him, gave the following toast:
Major General Jno.
A. Quitman—Mississippi has honored him he has in return honored Mississippi.
By Dr. Bowie—Lieut.
Col. Alex. K. McClung. The Hero of Monterey.
By Lieut. Col. McClung—The
Ladies of Natchez. Although the chivalry of this beautiful place were in spite
of their exertions prevented from going with us to battle, yet our reception by
its beauty has repaid us for their absence.
About five o'clock
in the afternoon the volunteers returned on board the steamers which were to
convey them to Vicksburg, their point of debarkation, escorted by our volunteer
companies and by a large concourse of citizens, the bands playing their
merriest tunes,-and amid the thundering of cannon and the shouts of the
spectators, these brave men departed from among us bearing with them the
warmest wishes and most ardent desires for their future welfare and happiness
of our whole community of the city and county.
Yesterday was a day
the memory of which will long be cherished by our citizens. It was a proud day
for Old Adams, and well did her sons maintain the reputation of their ancient
hospitality. The sun set in glory in our western horizon, but his beams shed
less splendor upon the state from which he was withdrawing his light than had
the glorious deeds of the gallant volunteers who were leaving us.
Below will be found
the letter of the "Committee of Invitation," and the letter of
acceptance from Col. Jefferson Davis.
- Committee of Invitation to the 1st Mississippi Rifles, May 31, 1847
- Jefferson Davis to the Committee of Invitation, June 11, 1847
SOURCE: Dunbar
Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters,
Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 76-84
