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191^

J

REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

jfoint Committee
APPOINTED TO MAKE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR
BRINGING ON THE
BODIES OF THE OFFICERS

NEW YORK REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS,
FROM MEXICO;
WITH THE
FUNERAL CEREMONIES
«>
OBSERVED ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR INTERMENT.
Presented October 3d, 1848.

NEW YORK:
McSpedon & Baker, Printers to the Common Council, 25 Pine st.
1848.

Cj6.3g

REPORT, &c.

At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen, held on the
25th October, 1847, Aldermen Purser presented the follow
ing preamble and resolutions, viz :
Whereas, Lieut. Colonel Baxter and Lieut. Chandler,
have nobly fallen in the discharge of their duty, after gal
lantly sustaining, in many hard fought battles, the glory
of the American arms and the honor of their country,
therefore Resolved, That while testifying our gratitude and ad
miration for the chivalry evinced by these sons of our fav-
vored city, we deeply condole with the bereaved relations
and friends of those struck down in the hour of victory.
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to
confer with similar Committees from Military Companies,
with a view of making suitable arrangements for bringing
on the corpse of the illustrious soldiers to the City of their
birth.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, duly authen
ticated, be sent to the relations of the deceased.

*j

Which were unanimously adopted.
And Aldermen Purser, Dodge and De Forest appointed
such Committee on the part of this Board.
And directed to be sent to the Board of Assistants, for
concurrence. On the first of November, the above resolutions were
unanimously concurred in by the Board of Assistants, and
Messrs. Allen, Schultz and Robertson, appointed as the
Committee on the part of that Board.
The Committee thus empowered met from time to time,
and after some delay, finally resolved upon the appoint
ment of Mr. Alexander S. Forbes, who personally solicited
the agency, and who produced strong recommendations to
the Committee from the Baxter Blues, who communicated
freely with the chairman.
Your Committee procured, from the Department of War
at Washington, all the necessary papers appertaining to a
mission of the kind, and furnished with full credentials
and every power to further the object in view, the agent
proceeded on his errand of humanity on the 29th day of
January last, by the overland route to New Orleans, where
he arrived on the 9th of February, frpm which City he
proceeded on the 20th to Vera Cruz, where, on the 1st of

March, at the Castle of San Juan, he found the bodies of
Colonel Baxter, and Captains Pearson and Van Olinda.
From Vera Cruz, Mr. Forbes proceeded to the City of
Mexico, from which place, under date of 6th of May, he
addressed the following dispatch, which the Committee
regret to state is the only one ever received by them.
San Angel, near City of Mexico,
May 6th, 1848.
Dear Sir :
I have no doubt you think strange of not hearing from
me long since, but as my mission was not fulfilled, and I
could not say definitely when it would be, I considered it
as well to wait until this time.
On my arrival in Vera Cruz, 26th February, I immedi
ately commenced searching for the bodies, Col. Baxter,
and the other officers, by calling on Capt. Patrick, whom
Col. Burnett informed your Committee and myself, had
charge of them, and had promised to send them to New
York. Upon making known my business to Capt. P. he
was surprised and said he knew nothing of them, nor had
he promised or spoken to Col. Burnett on the subject, but
at the same time proffered his assistance to me. In a few
days I traced them out and had them properly taken care
of until I am ready to return.
Upon enquiry, I found that the bodies of Capt. Burke
and Lieut. Morris, -had been sent or taken home by their
brother officers attached to their respective regiments..

I remained in Vera Cruz to wait for the train from the
City of Mexico to arrive, having, understood the body of
Lieut. E. Chandler would be with it, and upon its arrival,
finding such to be not the case, immediately made prepar
ations to proceed to the City, and arrived here the 21st
instant, after a long and tedious march of twenty-four
days. I here found your letters in relation to the body of
Capt. Barclay, and acted according to order. I am now
ready to return and shall by the first train, which I am in
hopes will leave here in five or six days, as I am anxious
to get home. I feel sorry I have been detained so long,
more on your account, and only hope you may have still
remained in the Common Council for the purpose of carry
ing out your views in regard to the reception of the re
mains. I have been very kindly received and every attention
offered me by officers and others attached to the army, and
assign it more particularly to this reason : that the high
position our gallant regiment hold in the minds of all
such, serves but to make each anxious to see who can do
the most to second the wishes of your Honorable Body in
your patriotic efforts to respect their dead — and although
proud as I am of my position as an agent of the Empire
City in this business^ I feel more proud of them — it almost
leads to envy. I believe every New Yorker would be the
same were he here to see and listen to the respect paid,
and encomiums showered upon our noble representatives,
by all belonging to the army ; they are considered a band
of Invincibles.
I shall write immediately upon my arrival in New Or-

leans, and can then say when will be the most likely time
of my getting to New York.
With great respect, I remain, truly yours,

ALEXANDER S. FORBES.

To Geo. H. Purser, Esq.,
Alderman Fourth Ward

:}

After the organization of the new Common Council, in
May, the Committees were re-organized by the appoint
ment of the following persons.
On the part of the Board of Aldermen :
Aldermen De Forest, Dodge, Gray, Smith, Downing,
and the President of the Board.
And on the part of the Assistants :
Messrs. Schultz, Franklin, Brenan, Getty and Paxton,
with the President of that Board.
The first information which the Committee received from
their agent, was of a truly melancholy character, and
which was conveyed to them by the following letter, ad
dressed to the brother of Mr. Forbes.
New Orleans, June 22, 1848.
Dear Sir, —
It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the

8
death of your brother, Mr. A. S. Forbes,' which unfortu
nate event occurred at 2 o'clock, on the morning of the
20th inst.
I arrived in this city on the night of the 17th, and hear
ing that Alexander was in the city, I called on him im
mediately, and found him complaining of sea-sickness, as
he supposed, but which I was immediately satisfied was at
best bilious fever. I immediately called in Dr. Head and
Dr. McCormick, of the army, who prescribed for him. —
Dr. M. pronouncing his disease, black vomit. He rallied
very much, and both physicians said that he would prob
ably recover. In the mean time I had procured a first rate
nurse, and had sent for Mr. Bogert, (his friend) who atten
ded him until he died. On the night of the 20th, a change
took place for the worse, which terminated his life in a few
hours. We have- the body placed in a leaden coffin, and I shall
start at 5 o'clock, to-day, for New -York, via. Sandusky
and Buffalo, with all the bodies.
Your friend,
R. M. FLOYD, Lieut. N. Y. V.
Thus terminated the earthly career of one, whose pros
pects in life were bright, leaving a wife and child to mourn
over the loss of a protector and father, and a large circle
of friends to lament the privation of one of their dearest as
sociates. Intrusted in life with the mission of restoring the
remains of the lamented dead to their living relatives and

friends, he returned united to them in bonds which can
only be severed when the " corruptible must put on incor-
ruplion, and the mortal must put on immortality."
The intelligence in relation to the death of our friend
having been verified by telegraphic dispatches, the Com
mittee hastened their preparation for the reception of the
remains, and at noon, on the 4th of July, they received in
formation that the bodies were on their way down the
Hudson river, per the Alida, and might be expected at 3
o'clock. They immediately made the necessary prepara
tion, and after the arrival of the boat, the bodies under the
escort of the Baxter Blues, preceeded by the Committee,
amid the noise and confusion incident to the celebration of
the day, formed a mournful procession to the arsenal yard,
which ha'd been hastily prepared for their reception, where
under a sable canopy, and covered with a pall of their
country's flag, they were placed by the Committee in
charge of the Baxter Blues as a guard of honor, which
from that time until the day of the funeral, guarded with
devotion the remains of their late commandant, and his
heroic associates, refusing relief from their patriotic duty,
though often tendered by other military companies and as
sociations. The remains were afterwards placed at the disposal of
Mr. Isaac H. Brown, Sexton of Grace Church, who had
been employed by the Committee to superintend the pre
paration of the bodies for interment. They were sepa
rately removed from the casings which surrounded them
on their arrival, and placed in the coffins prepared for their
reception, when they were re-arranged under the canopy
2

10
on trestles, and laid in state for the visits of the public, —
a multitude of whom visited the arsenal to view the mel
ancholy preparation.
The Committee would embrace the present opportunity
to notice with commendation the efficient services of Mr.
Brown, and their approval of his official and gentlemanly
conduct throughout the whole time of his intercourse with
them. The Committee would tender their thanks to Lieutenant
Robert M. Floyd, for the speedy and careful management
of the agency after he had been so providentially entrust
ed with its care.
To the owners and agents of the steamer Lafayette, on
the Mississippi.
To Messrs. Mudge & Wilson, of the St. Charles Hotel,
at New Orleans, for their care of the late Mr. Forbes dur
ing his last and fatal illness.
To the Presidents and Directors of the Railroads on the
route, who refused remuneration for the conveyance of the
remains of the lamented dead ;. and
To Captain Stone, of the steamboat Alida, for the like
service in conveying the remains from Albany to this city.
The final arrangements having been perfected, the Com
mittee proceeded in the discharge of their melancholy duty
as hereafter detailed.

11

Order of Procession, with the ceremonies and incidents
at the Funeral Solemnities in honor of the Gallant Officers
of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers, who sacri
ficed their lives in the performance of duties required by
their Country, in Mexico.

THE MILITARY PARADED IN PURSUANCE OF THE FOLLOWING
ORDERS :
FIRST DIVISION N. Y. STATE MILITIA.

DIVISION ORDERS.

New-York, July 6, 1848.
The Major General announces to the Division the arri
val of the remains of a number of our fellow-soldiers,
who sacrificed their lives in the service of our country in
the late brilliant campaign in Mexico.
The bodies of the lamented and gallant Lieut, Col.
Baxter, who fell when leading his Regiment to victory
at the Garita of Mexico, after the storming of Chepulte-
pec; Captain Pierson who was killed at Chepultepec;
Lieut. Chandler, who was killed in the battle of Churu-
busco ; Captain Barclay and Lieut. Gallagher,, who died

12
from exposure and sickness during the campaign, and of
Lieut. Forbes, who lost his life' while bringing back to us
these honored remains, — are now waiting the last honors
which we can pay to the memory of the glorious dead.
In conjunction with the Mayor and Common Council
of our city, who have caused these precious relics to be re
stored to us, the Division will unite in the ceremonials
appropriate to this solemn event, on Wednesday next, the
12th of July, instant.
The Fourth Brigade, under the command of Brigadier
General Ewen, will form the funeral escort. The line
will be formed in Canal street, with the left on Broadway,
at one o'clock, P. M.
General Ewen will also receive and assign to appropri
ate stations, such corps as may be desirous to unite with
us on the occasion, from our sister city of Brooklyn, and also
any entire companies from the other Brigades of this Divi
sion, which may desire to parade as part of the escort.
The officers of the First, Second and Third Brigades,
and those of the Division Staff, are requested to assemble,
in full uuiform, (dismounted) with the usual badges of
mourning, in front of the City Hall, at one o'clock, P. M.,
precisely, for the purpose of uniting in the procession.
The Commandants of the Regiments ordered on duty
will send their Standards and Camp Colors to the City
Hall, on Monday next, for the purpose of receiving the
usual badges of mourning.

13
General Ewen will detail suitable detachments to act as
Guards of Honor to the respective remains duriug the pro
cession, and until their interment.
Brigadier General Hall will order a troupe of horse to
parade for Guard and Escort duty, to report to Brig. Gen.
Ewen, at one o'clock, in Canal street, on the day of the
procession. Brig. Gen. Morris will order a detachment of Artillery
to fire minute guns during the procession from Washing
ton Parade Ground. By order of
CHARLES W. SANDFORD,
Major General Commanding.
R. C. WETMORE,
Division Inspector.

FOURTH BRIGADE, N. Y. S. MILITIA.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

New- York, July 8, 1848.
The Brigadier General announces that arrangements
have been made by the Common Council of this city to
render appropriate honors to the remains of Lieut. Col.

14
Baxter, Captain Pierson, Captain Barclay, Lieuts. Chand
ler and Gallagher, who fell a sacrifice in the service of
their country, in the Mexican campaign, and Lieut Forbes,
who lost his life while bringing to us these honored re
mains. In pursuance of such arrangements, and division orders
of the 6th inst., this Brigade will form the Funeral Escort.
The Brigade line will be formed in Canal street, on
Wednesday, next, the 12th inst., at 1 o'clock P. M., with
the left on Broadway. Col. H. G. Stebbins of the 12th
Regiment will detail the company of Baxter Blues, Capt.
Ayres, as a Guard of Honor to the body of Lieut. Col.
Baxter, who formerly commanded said company, and
Lieut. Forbes, late a member thereof. Col. R. C. Morris
of the 11th Regiment, will detail the City Guard, Capt.
McArdle as a Guard of Honor to the bodies of Lieuts.
Chandler and Gallagher. /
The services of the Pierson Light Guard of Brooklyn,
Capt. Pike, has been accepted, said company will act as
a Guard of Honor to the bodies of Capt. Pierson and
Barclay. Commandants of Regiments will send their standards and
camp colors to the City Hall, on Monday next, for the
purpose of receiving the usual badges of mourning.
Officers will wear crape on the left arm and on the
sword hilt. By order of
Brig. Genl. JOHN EWEN.
N. BERGASSE LA BAU, Aide-de-Camp.

If) July Uth.
The following general order was issued by the Com
mittee. The clergy will assemble at the Governor's room, City
Hall, at 1 o'clock, P. M.
The pall bearers will assemble at the arsenal yard, at 1
o'clock, P. M.
The companies detailed as Guards of Honor, at the Ar
senal yard, at 1 o'clock, P. M.
The New York Sacred Music Society will assemble in
the Governor's room, City Hall, at 3 o'clock, P. M.
The Procession will move at 2 o'clock.
The line of march will be up Broadway to Fourteenth
street, through Fourteenth street to the Bowery, down the
Bowery and Chatham street to the east gate of the Park.
After entering the Park, the bodies will be placed on
trestles in front of the platform erected for the Orator,
Clergy and Members of the Common Councils of New
York and Brooklyn.
The ceremonies will be opened with prayer by the Rev.
Isaac Ferris, D. D., of the Dutch Reformed Church.
AN ORATION,
Prepared at the request of the Committee of Arrange
ments, will then be delivered by John Van Buren, Esq.

16
The Ode prepared for the occasion, at the request of the
Common Council, by George P. Morris, Esq., will be
sung by the New York Sacred Music Society, who will oc
cupy the balcony of the hall.
At the conclusion of which, the Benediction will be pro
nounced by the Rev. Spencer H. Cone, of the Baptist
Church. The bodies of the deceased will then be placed at the
disposal of the relatives and friends.
It is directed by this Committee, that all public and li
censed carriages and vehicles be withdrawn from the streets
through which the procession is to pass.
The Chief of Police is charged with the enforcement of
this order.
Persons having charge of the different church and fire
alarm bells in this city, are requested to cause the bells to
be tolled from the hour of two o'clock, P. M., during the
procession, and the owners and masters of vessels in the
harbor, and the proprietors of public buildings are request
ed to half-mast their colors, from sunrise to sunset. It is
respectfully recommended also, that our fellow citizens
close their places of business during the solemnities of the
day.

17

COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Aid. De Forest, 1st Ward. Ass't. Aid. Schultz, 5th Ward
u Dodge, 9th " " Franklin, 17th "
" Gray, 10th " " Bienan, 6th "
u Smith, 16th " " Getty, 8th "
" Downing, 13th " " Paxton, 14th "
M. FRANKLIN, President Board of Aldermen.
\V. SMALL,
President Board of Assistants.

July 12th.
The day was, in every way, all that the occasion seemed
fittingly to demand. Dark sombre clouds o'ershadowed
the heavens from morn till night, and the sun's rays were
only visible just before the funeral cortege entered the
the western gate of the Park. In the fore part of the day
a thin disagreeable drizzle threatened to postpone the obse
quies altogether, but towards noon, the rain ceased, and,
in this respect, everything was as favorable as could have
been desired. The heavens above, in truth, seemed to
sympathize with the solemn spectacle below. We never
witnessed a gloomier or more melancholy — inspiring day.

THE APPEARANCE OF THE CITY
Was in keeping with the solemn ceremonies of the day.
From every public building the star spangled banner float
ed at half-mast, and we noticed several private dwellings
3

18
along the line of the procession becomingly decked in sable
habiliments. The municipal ordinanee respecting vehicles
and other street interruptions, it gives us much pleasure to
say, were obeyed to the letter ; in short, everything that
our citizens at large could do to mark their respect, was
done. From the hour of two P. M., minute guns were fired
till after the ceremonies in front of the City Hall were con
cluded, and the bells of the various churches tolled the fu
neral dirge at intervals throughout the day.
AT THE ARSENAL, IN CENTRE STREET.
At the Arsenal yard, after passing a field battery, dres
sed in crape, the visitor entered the hall, where reposed
the mouldering remains of these gallant fellows. Six cof
fins were there reposing, the watchful tread of a sentry
from the Baxter Blues, being the only sound which broke
the stillness. Wreaths and flowers were strewn upon the
coffins, that of the lamented Pearson being covered with
black cloth fringed with gold lace. The other coffins were
of mahogany, each bearing a plate inscribed with the name
of its silent occupant, his age, place of birth, cause of
death, &c.
The following were the inscriptions :
ALEXANDER S. FORBES,
Born Dec. 10th, 1819 ; died June 20th, 1848, at New Or
leans, while in the discharge of his duty as the agent
for the Common Council, for bringing to New
York the remains of the gallant heroes who
fell at Churubusco and Chapultepec.

19
LIEUT. COL. CHARLES BAXTER,
Born Dec. 22d, 1814; died in the City of Mexico, Sept.
18th, 1847, of a wound received at the
storming of Chapultepec.
CAPT. JAMES BARCLAY,
Of Company C, New York Regiment ; died at San Angels,
Jan. 30, 1848, aged 28 years.
CAPT. CHARLES H. PEARSON,
Died in the City of Mexico, October 10, 1847, of wounds
received in storming the Fortress of Chapultepec,
September 13, 1847, aged 31 years.
LIEUT. CHARLES F. GALLAGHER,
Died near the City of Mexico, September 10, 1847,
aged 27 years, 2 months and 20 days.
LIEUT. EDGAR CHANDLER,
Born March 17, 1823 ; died Aug. 21, 1847, from a wound
received on the 20th, on the field of
Churubusco.
The scene was solemn and impressive, and will only
pass from memory with life itself.
As meridian approached, the various companies of our
City military were seen concentrating at the Arsenal, and
about one P. M., the Pearson Guards, from Brooklyn,
marched up to take their place in the line.

20
At two o'clock precisely, the bells of the City Hall and
the various churches commenced a slow and measured
peal, and nearly at the same moment the large procession
started from the Arsenal, the Baxter Blues and the City
Guard acting as an escort of honor. The procession took
the route as laid down in the programme, passing up
Broadway to Fourteenth street, through Fourteenth street
to the Bowery, down the Bowery to Chatham street,
through Chambers to the West gate of the Park, and
thence to the front of the City Hall, where the broad plat
form in front had been reserved for the reception of the
bodies, to which they were borne by the pall bearers, and
laid upon the trestles previously prepared.
The Military escort consisted of the Fourth Brigade of
N. Y. S. Militia, under the command of Brig. Gen. John
Ewen, in reverse order, as follows :
Twelfth Regiment commanded by Col. Henry G. Steb-
bins, composed of the following companies, to wit :
Tompkins' Blues, com'd by Capt. John Mayer, Co. C.
Benson Guard, " " Wm. McCrea, Co. B.
Italian " " Lieut. M. G. Laughill, Co. E.
Monroe Blues, " Capt. J. F. E. Prudhomme, D.
Lafayette Fusileers, " " Wm. McCauley, Co. F.
Independence Guard, " *' James A. Boyle, " G.
Light Guard, " " Edward Vincent, " A.
Baxter Blues, " " Saml. P. Ayres, " H.
The last company paraded as a Guard of Honor to the
bodies of Lieut. Col. Baxter and Lieut. Forbes.

21
Eleventh Regiment, commanded by Col. R. C. Morris,
was composed of the following companies, to wit :
Union Riflemen, com'd by Capt. John P. Ellis, Co. H.
Continental Guard, " " John C. Helme, Co. B.
Montgomery " "
Washington u "
City Guard, "
The last named company paraded as a Guard of Honor
to the bodies of Lieutenants Chandler and Gallagher.
Tenth Regiment, commanded by Col. Wm. Halsey,
was composed of the following companies, to wit :
President's Guard, com'd by Capt. Cornl. Clock, Co.

T,

S.

Murphy,

" E

F.

Pi.

^smicker,

" D

I.

Seafert.

Wm.
McArdle,
Co. A.
Emmett "
a.
it
James McGrath,
Co.E,
President's u
u
a
H. L. Moelyle,
" B
Washington Cadets,
a
a
Henry Baldwin,
" G
President's Guard,
«
u
Henry Brunner,
" C
a u
a
a
Thomas Jones,
" A,
National Greys,
«
'.i
Jacob Raynor,
" H
The Company of Pearson Light Guard, of Brooklyn,
commanded by Capt. Nicholas Pike, paraded as a Guard
of Honor to the bodies of Captains Pearson and Barclay.
At three minutes after four, the head of the column ap
peared at the West gate of the Park, preceded by a com
pany of dragoons, who aided the policemen in preserving
order. They were followed by the Baxter Blues, after
22
whom came the carriages containing the Rev. Clergy, in
the following order :
Reformed Dutch — Rev. Drs. Knox, Hardensburgh, Fer
ris, Guildan.
Episcopal — Wainwright, Taylor, Price, Seabury.
Baptist — Cone, Evar'ts. Hopkins, Sumers.
Presbyterian — Smith, Chapman, Spring, Cox.
From Brooklyn — Rev. Messrs. Vinton, (Episcopal) —
Hodge, (Baptist) — Jacobus, (Dutch Reformed.)
Methodist — Creagh, Vincent, Clark, Griffin.
Catholic — Bishops Hughes, Pise, Buchmeyer, Larkin.
Unitarian — Dewey, Briggs, Farley, Osgood.
Lutheran — Geissenhainer, Martin, Stohtman, Held.
Universalist — Skinner, Chapin, Rayner, Thayer. ¦
These were succeeded by the bodies, borne on separate
hearses, with their names emblazoned in large silver let
ters on the drapery which overhung the coffins. Then
came the body of
FORBES,
With the following Pall Bearers.

Messrs. Aaron Baldwin,
Wm. S. Williams,
Foster N. Mott,
Richard White,

Messrs. John Reeves, .
Charles Smith,
Fred. Watkins,
James Malone.

•23
BAXTER.
Pall Bearers.

Col. Burnett, 1st Regt. N.Y.V.
" Ming, 3d " "
" Carnes, 5th " "
" Brennan,7th " N.Y.A.

Col. Calhoun, 2d Regt. N.Y.V.
" Thomas, 4th " "
Lt. Col. Potter, 2d " "
Lt. Sweeny, 1st " "

Escorted by the Baxter Blties, as a Guard of Honor,
under Captain Kissner.

BARCLAY.
Pall Bearers.

Lt. Col. Borden, 8th Rg. NYA.
" Drucker,5th " "
Capt. Shumway, 7th " "
" Luerson, 4th " "

Lt. Col. Ryer, 1st Reg. N.Y.A.
Major Rader, 5th " "
Capt. Forsyth, 1st " "
" Swartzwelder, 5th "

PEARSON.

Pall Bearers.

Lt. Col. Duryea,7th Rg. NYA.
" Hopkins, 3d " NYV.
" Kesler, 5th " "
Major Thomas,

Lt. Col. Ferris, 9th Reg. NYA.
Major Lyon, 2d " Vol.
Capt. Innes, 1st " "
" J.Pattison,4th" "

Escorted by the Pearson Light Guard, as a Guard of
Honor, under Captain N. Pike.

24
GALLAGHER.
Pall Bearers.

Capt. Waugh, 7th Regt. NYA.
Lieut. Crofts, 1st " Vol.
" Sutor, 1st " "
" Forbes, 4th " NYA.

Capt. Price, 7th Regt. N.Y.A.
" Ferber, 4th " "
Lieut. Wiley, 1st " N.Y.V.
" Curran, 1st " "

Lieut. Henry, 1st Reg. N.Y.V.
" Reed, "
Surgeon McKibbin, "
Lieut. Brown, "

CHANDLER.
Pall Bearers.
Capt. Van Dyck, 8th Rg. NYA.

Lieut. Smith, 7th

a a
" Floyd, 1st " Vol.
" L. Dunning, 1st " "

Escorted by the City Guard, under Captain McArdle,
as a Guard of Honor.
These were followed by the mourners, &c, in the order
below :

Mourners and relatives of each of the deceased, in
Carriages.
Mayors of the Cities of New York and Brooklyn.
The Common Council of the City of New York.
The Board of Aldermen,
Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and headed by their
President.

25
The Board of Assistants,
Preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and headed by
their President.
The Common Council of the City of Brooklyn.
Civic Societies.
The Ringgold Association,
And such others as reported themselves to the Committee
previous to the moving of the Procession.
Citizens and Strangers.
The Mayor of Albany was also present, with several
members of the Common Council of that City.
THE PARK.
After entering the Park, now densely crowded with
spectators, the coffins were taken from the hearses, and
placed on trestles in front of the platform. Upon each
coffin the hand of affection had scattered flowers and
laurel wreaths, and upon those containing the bodies of
Pearson and Baxter, were laid their swords and other por
tions of the accoutrements they had worn when alive.
The soldiery advancing, with slow and solemn tread,
formed a hollow square, enclosing the space where the
bodies were deposited, the various bands the while per
forming the most touching airs best befitting the occasion.
BEFORE THE CITY HALL
The scene was most imposing and impressive. Conspicu-
4

26
ous upon the platform was the flag presented by the Com
mon Council, in the name of the City, to the New York
Regiment, just previous to its departure for Vera Cruz.
Torn, tattered and blood-drenched, it told a fearful story
of its own, which the scarred volunteers who bore it hither
from Mexico, in the steamer Edith, seemed minutely to
corroborate. The area in front, the windows, balconies
and roofs, were literally alive with human beings, of all
ages, ranks and conditions of life. The police did their
duty, however, quietly and efficiently, and not the slight
est disorder was perceptible. The arrangements in this
respect were, in fact, perfect. Every nook and corner
swarmed with human beings, and even the trees bent be
neath their living load. Upon the platform were seated
John Van Buren, Esq., Orator of the Day, the Clergy,
members of the New York and Brooklyn Common Coun
cils, and the representatives of the Press.

THE CEREMONIES
Were opened by the following eloquent prayer, by the
Rev. Dr. Ferris, of the Dutch Reformed Church :
Almighty and Most Holy God ! we bow before Thee,
on this most solemn and affecting occasion, with the deep
feeling of our personal unworthiness and sinfulness. Who
are we, that we should come before Thee 1 Verily we
die, worms of the dust — creatures of a day ! We adore
thee as the living and true God — as the King Eternal,
Immortal and Invisible — worthy of all homage, both as a
being infinite and eternal, and as the source of all bless-

27
ing. To us, in Thy presence, belong shame and confus-
sion of face, while glory, and dominion, and power, are
Thine. Called together in thy providence, under circum
stances of unusual character, we beg audience at thy
throne of merey, through our Lord Jesus Christ. We
mourn over the removal of dear friends by the visitations
of war, while we admire their heroic example ; we
mingle our sympathies with the large circle of sorrowing
relatives to whose affections they shall never return. We
beg Thee, in mercy, to bind up the broken heart and ap
point a speedy reconciliation and relief to those that
mourn ; remember graciously the families and relatives
of all those who have fallen in battle or by disease — espe
cially, be thou the God of the widow, and the fatherless,
and the orphan. To whom shall we look but to Thee ? —
all power is thine, all consolations are thine, and mercy is
thine. Pity thou, we beseech thee, all descriptions of
sufferers by the recent war with a neighboring republic,
and overrule all the evils which have been endured. On
this occasion we would commend to Thy special favor the
companies in arms of the departed, who are gathered
around their biers, and the shattered remnant of hardy
men whom they commanded, who have just been brought
to their homes.
Oh, God ! we mourn over the ravages of war, even
among the victorious ; over our whole land the mourners
bow their heads in the dust for dear friends whom they
shall see no more. Grant them mercy, and grant that we
may learn war no more. We thank Thee for the return
of peace — may she ever abide among us, and our beloved
country be distinguished for the cultivation of the arts of

?8

peace and advancement in piety. Hasten the blessed
period when all the nations of the earth shall cease from
war, and the power of the gospel shall be universally felt ;
and may we, as a people, be eminently thine instruments
in accomplishing so desirable an end — may it be our special
privilege to give the word of life and a free gospel to the
people who through us have suffered sadly by the scourges
of war, and thus repair, as far as may be, the injuries
which have been sustained. We commend to thy pater
nal care the bereft widow and family of him who, in seek
ing to bring the remains of a beloved officer to his com
panions and relatives, has fallen a victim to disease.
Having made the dearest of sacrifices to friendship, may
his stricken family never fail to enjoy all that warm, de
voted friendship can do — above all, may the consolations
of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ be theirs. Grant
us thy blessing in the exercises of this occasion — aid in
every duty ; and may such impressions be made, and such
purposes formed, as shall, in their results, redound to thy
glory, above all things, and our good. Hear us, in these
supplications, only for the sake of our intercessor, Jesus
Christ, and to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, be all the praise. Amen,

29
Alderman Gray, of the Committer, then introduced the
Orator of the Day, JOHN VAN BUREN, Esq.,
who delivered the following ADDRESS :
Fellow Citizens. — The proceedings which have thus
far marked this melancholy occasion have been in all res
pects appropriate. It is eminently fit and proper that the
citizens of this metropolis, the popular heart and commer
cial centre of our great confederacy, should signalize by
public observances, the return to them of the bodies of
those whose lives have been yielded to the service of the
Republic. Scarcely eighteen months since, those young
men (save one,) left us full of hope and health, and rush
ed to the standard unfurled by our troops on the soil of a
foreign enemy. They doubtless counted on returning
crowned with honor, to resume their accustomed avoca
tions ; but that Providence that turns to ashes all human
calculations, restores them to you thus — (pointing to the
coffins.) The brilliant pageant of this day, its military
and civic display, its parade and pomp, its concourse of
grateful people, its solemn aspect, and above all, its moral,
which conveys comfort and courage to the defenders of a
free government every where, will mark the 12th of July,
1848, as an epoch in the history of freemen. To describe
these ceremonies to you, would be only to remind you of
what you see, and feel, and do. It seems to me more
suitable, in compliance with the invitation to participate
in these ceremonies, which I have received from the Com-

30
mon Council, to ask your attention to a cursory sketch of
those whose memories are honored by these splendid de
monstrations of popular respect, honor and gratitude.
The first to claim our notice, is the individual whose mis
fortune it was to; be debarred from participating in the glo
ries of the war, and who met his death whilst engaged in
the solemn and painful duty of bringing to their final
resting place, the earthly remains of those, who, in com
mon with himself now lie before you. Mr. Alexander S.
Forbes, an estimable citizen of this place, was a Second
Lieutenant of the Second Regiment of New York Volunteers,
that regiment not being ordered into service, his desire to
serve the country in this capacity was not gratified ; a pri
vate in the Baxter Blues, and well acquainted with the
distinguished officers of the First Regiment, whose lives had
been the forfeit of their patriotic devotion, he was selected
by the Common Council as the agent for bringing their
remains to this City. In discharge of this melancholy duty
he repaired to Mexico, and had reached New Orleans on
his way home, he was then seized with fever and died on
the 20th of June, 1848. The universal favorite of his ac
quaintances while living, his death is deeply and widely
lamented. The gallant officers whose remains he had
thus far conveyed to the City, and whose memory we are
assembled to honor, were Lieutenants Chandler and Gal
lagher, Captains Pearson and Barclay, and Lieutenant
Colonel Baxter. I propose to refer you, rapidly, to such
few prominent circumstances in regard to each, as I have
had the time and opportunity to learn.
Lieut. Edgar Chandler was born in the City of New
York, on the 17th day of March, 1823 ; he was the eldest

31
son of Gen. Adoniram Chandler, who served as a volun
teer during the war of 1812, under Gen. Scott, at the
taking of Fort George, and was uuder Commodore Chaun-
cey in the engagements of. the Genesee river with Sir
James Yeo, and in Burlington bay. Lieut. Chandler was
exemplary and studious in his habits ; modest and unassum
ing in his manners. A fondness for military life led to
applications, in his behalf, for a place in the military
school at West Point, which were, however, unsuccessful.
The same motive induced him to accept the offer of a lieu
tenancy in the First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
He landed under Gen. Scott, at Vera Cruz, and partici
pated, with his regiment, in the battles of Cerro Gordo and
Contreras, and fell mortally wounded on the field of
Churubusco, August 20th, 1847, as is testified by his com
manding officer, " whilst gallantly sustaining his colors."
He survived his wound until ten A. M., next day, when he
expired in the arms of his associate, Lieut. Henry, with
entire calmness and resignation — not a murmur having
escaped his lips from the moment he was wounded until
life became extinct. He obtained the respect and confi
dence of his fellow officers and soldiers, and fell deeply
regretted by all who knew him. Cut off at the early age
of twenty-four, his character was only beginning to show
the fruits which thorough education, strict integrity and
masculine intellect promised to produce. Among these,
the most conspicuous was a punctillious fidelity in the
discharge of every trust confided to him. His parents,
who knew him best, can most keenly appreciate his loss
— and the military experience of his sorrowing father
will, we trust, enable him to derive consolation from the

32
reflection that he met a death which a soldier might ex
pect — in a manner which a soldier must envy.
Lieut. Charles F. Gallagher died at Misoac, the 10th
of September, 1847, at the age of 27. He was a native of
New York, and served as Adjutant of the First Regiment ;
he distinguished himself at the battles of Vera Cruz and
Cerro Gordo, and died of sickness incurred by privation
and exposure in the service of his country. Lieut. Gal
lagher was a model of manly beauty, and shared in a
large degree, the admiration, attachment and love of his
companions in arms. Foremost, not only to the field,
but in the discharge of those less obtrusive, but no less
necessary, duties of detail and discipline, the life which
he had freely periled in battle, was' eventually sacrificed
to the less grateful and attractive calls of his position. A
just public will compensate the absence of any brilliancy
in his death, by a higher appreciation of the memory of
his virtues.
Capt. Charles H. Pearson was descended from ances
tors who had devoted a large portion of their lives to the ser
vice of their country. His grandfather, Nathaniel Pear
son, served under General Washington with honor, during
the Revolutionary war, and was on guard on the day
when Andre was executed. Charles Pearson, the father
of Captain Pearson, was taken prisoner by the British,
during the late war, and confined for two years in the
Dartmouth prison. His son, Charles H. Pearson, whose
remains now lie before you, was born at Portland, Maine,
on the 13th of May, 1815. He was educated at the Wes-
lyan Seminary, Reedfield, Maine, and came to Brooklyn

33
to reside, at the age of about 17. A large portion of his
time was devoted to military pursuits. Gentle and unas
suming in his manners, he had yet acquired in an emi
nent degree, the power of influencing the action of his as
sociates and companions. The Municipal Guard of
Brooklyn, were disbanded, and subsequently re-organized
under the name of the Brooklyn Light Guard, a corps
which he commanded for several years, and which were
distinguished for their discipline and good conduct. In
compliment to the deceased, they now bear the honored
name of the Pearson Guards. His anxiety to engage in
the Mexican campaign induced him, although chosen a
captain in the Second Regiment of Volunteers, to accept a
lieutenancy in the First when it was called into the field.
The resignation of a captain in his company elevated him
to the same rank which he had held in the Second Regiment.
He commanded Company E, and was the color captain
of his regiment. He served with honor in the entire
campaign from Vera Cruz to the gates of Mexico, receiv
ing the wound which caused his death on the 13th of Sep
tember, 1847, at Chapultepec, within sight of the City of
Mexico, and was carried to that capitol where he died on
the 10th of October following. The concurrent testimony
of all who knew captain Pearson in every relation of life
represents him as an upright, modest, generous and con
fiding man, an attentive and accomplished officer, and a
brave soldier. Ardently attached to the profession lo
which he had devoted so much of his time, he sought and
found in it distinction during life, and a death at the early
age of 32, which those who most lament his loss cannot
fail to respect and admjre.

34
Capt; James Barclay was a native of Albany. He
served under Gen. Scott, and was noted for his distinguish
ed gallantry in the various engagements which rendered
so illustrious the progress of our troops from the coast to
the capital of the Mexican Republic. He died suddenly,
January 30th, 1848, at Mexico, aged 28, leaving a widow
and child to mourn his loss. He had frequently expressed
a wish to die, as he said, " with his harness on ; " and so
sudden was the message that terminated his existence,
that death found him as he had desired — clad in full mili
tary costume. No braver soldier or more generous-heart
ed man will be remembered by the associates and compan
ions whom this brilliant but destructive campaign has af
flicted a/id bereaved.
Lieut. Colonel Charles Baxter was born in this
City on the 22d day of December, 1814. His father
Stephen Baxter, was at- that time a lieutenant and pay
master of a regiment of New York State Volunteers, in the
service of the United States. Five of his great uncles, by
the name of Rosekrans, natives of Dutchess county, served
as officers in the American army during the Revolutionary
war. His brother William was a sergeant-major in the
army, and was supposed to have fallen in the Florida
war. At the age of 20 he jttined the Pulaski Cadets, un
der the command of Capt. McArdle. The following year
he raised the company of Kosciusko Cadets, which corps
subsequently, and during his absence at the South, was
disbanded. In 1839 he was elected Captain of the Scott
Cadets, which company by his indefatigable exertions was
placed upon a footing of high respectability, and was af
terwards consolidated with the Tompkins' Cadets, and took

35
their name. This corps, swollen by accessions from the
Tompkins' Blues, was for many years distinguished for its
discipline and standing, and in these respects compared
advantageously with the best drilled companies in the
regular service. The prospect of serious difficulty with
Great Britain in 1845, in regard to the boundary of Ore
gon, induced Captain Baxter, in connection with other
military gentlemen, to attempt the organization of a bri
gade of two regiments. Although the disposition of the
Oregon question rendered the use of this force unnecessary,
it was doubtless owing to this circumstance that two regi
ments out of the seven which the President required from
this State to aid in conducting the war with Mexico, were
mustered within the time specified by the order of the gov
ernment. Of these two regiments, Ward B. Burnett was
elected colonel of one and Charles Baxter of the other.
The dates of their commissions being determined by lot,
Colonel Burnett obtained the seniority. In the fall of
1848, Colonel Baxter was elected to the Assembly, but
learning that the First Regiment had been called into ser
vice, and fearing that the second might not be, he resigned
his seat in the Assembly, and his command of the Second
Regiment, and accepted a lieutenant colonelcy in the
First. In November, 1846, the Tompkins' Blues, as a tes
timonial of respect for his character, presented him with a
splendid sword, bearing upon one side of the blade the
motto, " Thy energy won me," and on the other " Thy
courage will hold me." A resolution was also passed re
questing him to retain his command of the company,
which he did till the day of his death. The particulars of
his life subsequently to his leaving the City, and the cir-

36
cumstances attending his death, are thus truly and elo
quently described in the Sunday Atlas : —
Lieut. Col. Baxter left New York, with his regiment, in
January, 1847, and arrived at the Island of Lobos, where
the troops were concentrated for the expedition to Vera
Cruz, and for military instruction. It is said thathis mili
tary skill was there noticed, and that he was detained as
military instructor of brigade. He was at the taking of
Vera Cruz, from which place he commanded a detach
ment of eighty men to the relief of a foraging party, who
were said to be surrounded by. a large body of Mexicans.
About nine miles from the City he met the foragers on
their retum,'but proceeded and came up with two hun
dred of the enemy, and after a short engagement, defeated
and routed them.
He Was at the battle of Cerro Gordo, where a portion of
his regiment were distinguished and noticed by Gen.
TwiggS, in a letter to Col. Burnett, in which one of Bax
ter's pupils, Sergeant Marx Manly Hart, With others, was
commended for the gallant and close pursuit they gave
Santa Anna, being at one time between three and four
miles in advance of the main body.
At the battle of Contreras, his regiment, in General
Shields' brigade, was stationed at a hamlet to cut off the
retreat of the enemy after their route, and to protect the
flank of Gen. Smithes command, who soon drove them
from their position in confusion. The following extract
from General Shields, gives an account of the action ih
which he participated : — "At this juncture, I ordered the

37
two regiments of my command lo throw themselves on the
main road, by which the enemy must retire, to intercept
and cut off his retreat ; and, although officers and men
had suffered severely during the march of the night, and
from exposure without shelter or cover to the incessant
rain until day break ; this movement was executed in good
order, and with rapidity The Palmetto Regiment
crossing a deep ravine, deployed on both sides the road,
and opened a most destructive fire upon the mingled mas
ses of infantry and cavalry ; and the New York Regiment,
brought into line lower down, and on the road side, de
livered its fire with like effect. At this point, many of
the enemy were killed and wounded ; some 365 captured,
of which 25 were officers, and amongft the latter was Gen.
Nicholas Nendoza.
At the battle of Churubusco, Colonel Burnett having
fallen early in the action, severely wounded, the com
mand devolved upon Lieutenant Col. Baxter. General
Shields, in his report, speaks thus forcibly for the gallantry
of his brigade, the New York and South Carolina Volun
teers. " In this terrible battle, in which a strongly forti
fied enemy fought behind his works, under the walls of his
capital, our loss is necessarily severe. The loss, I regret
to say, has fallen most severely upon my command. In
the two regiments of my own brigade, numbering about
600 in the fight, the loss is reported 240 in killed and
wounded." The report notices the services of Lieut. Col.
Baxter, and others, as follows : — " In closing this report,
I beg to offer my thanks to the many gallant officers of my
command for their zealous and fearless support during the
conflict. To Col. Burnett, and Lieut. Col. Baxter of the.

38
New York Volunteers; to Lieut. Col. Dickinson, and Ma
jor Gladden, South Carolina Volunteers, as also to many
of their gallant subordinates, every praise is due."
The following extract of a letter from an officer of the
New York regiment, dated Oct. 17, 1847; gives a more
particular account of his regiment in this contest :
" At Churubusco, the New York regiment made the
first charge alone, the South Carolina regiment being near
ly two hundred yards in the rear, coming up by the flank ;
Col. Burnett fell in the first charge, severely wounded,
with about eighty officers and men. * * *
Lieut. Col. Baxter formed the basis of a line of battle for
the brigade Cpjform on ; the South Carolinians then came
up handsomely, and formed on our regiment, when, the
order being given, both regiments charged in gallant style,
supported by the ninth infantry."
Lieut. Col. Baxter fell mortally wounded while leading
his regiment in the assault on Chupultepec, having re
ceived two musket balls in the groin, and died in the city
of Mexico, on September 18th, 1847. The flag of his reg
iment was the first to float over the castle, and to one of his
officers, Lieut. Brower, its commandant, the veteran and
distinguished Gen. Bravo surrendered.
¦ Gen. Quitman speaks thus briefly, but forcibly, of Lieut.
Col. Baxter, in his report of the battle :
" The brave Captain Van Olinda, of the New York reg-
-iment, was killed at the head of his company ; Lieut. Col.

39
»
Baxter, of the same regiment, a valuable and esteemed of
ficer, while gallantly leading his command, fell mortally
wounded near the wall."
On the reception of the news of his death, the officers of
the Second Regiment of New York Volunteers held a
meeting, at which they passed resolutions expressive of
the high regard they entertained for his character as a
citizen, his gallantry and skill as an officer, and his devo
tion as a patriot while he lived, and of the deep sorrow
they felt for his untimely, but glorious death. Resolu
tions, embodying the same sentiments, were adopted by
the Independent Guard, and the Independent Tompkins'
Blues, of this City, and copies senjt to his disconsolate
mother. This company, at the same time, itiith a feeling
which did credit to them, changed their name to Baxter
Blues, as a memento to the memory and honor of their
late commandant.
On the news of his death being communicated to the
Legislature, resolutions were passed, expressive of their
approbation of his services and patriotism, and their sor
row for his death, copies of which were sent to his mother,
and both bodies adjourned for the usual time, as a mark of
respect to the memory of their deceased associate.
Alderman Purser offered similar resolutions in the Com
mon Council, which were adopted in relation to him and
the gallant and lamented Lieut. Chandler, and also one
to appoint a Committee to co-operate with any military
bodies in making arrangement to bring on the remains of
those officers. 2

40
His last words, as related in a letter written by a gen
tleman, in whose arms he died, to his father, a friend of
Baxter's, will illustrate the deep interest he felt in the
glory of his regiment, the honor of his State, and his own
fame. This gentleman attended him with the kindness
and affection of a brother. On the night of his death, he
awoke from a doze, and in the following jocose manner,
addressed his friend : —
" Mao — Doc — what are you doing V
The doctor answered that he was writing to his father.
" Then say to him that the New York Regiment was
there, and that I fjell.where I should have fallen, at the
head of it."*.
These were the last expressions of this honored son of
New York, who, a few minutes afterwards, was a corpse
in the arms of his friend. i
Thus departed the spirit of one of the most promising
and gallant young officers that ever entered the volunteer
service of his country. His skill and courage were ac
knowledged and admired by all who served with him in
the achievement of those splendid victories, from Vera
Cruz to the city of Mexico, which will be so memorable
in, our national history. In his death, his country has
lost a valuable and distinguished officer and patriot, his
State a good citizen, and a large ch'cle of acquaintances
an esteemed friend. He was kind in feeling, gentle in
his deportment, and in all his relations of life conducted
himself with the strictest propriety and integrity.

41
Fellow Citizens, I have thus detailed lo you, in a man
ner far from interesting, I fear, the prominent features of
the lives we are commemorating. You will be struck, as
I was, by the extreme youth of all the deceased. At an
age when maturity seems in other countries to commence,
we find lives of honor here closed by their sacrifices upon
the altar of patriotism. The youth, which is the reproach
cast upon our government from abroad, seems to invest,
with its disinterestedness and its energy, the citizens who
give the highest glory and success to the working of our
republic. Those young men were almost all natives of our State
— they reflect glory upon the commonwealth which has
given them to the Union. It is a singular circumstance
that they were, almost without exception, descended from
ancestors who had distinguished themselves in military
life, and it would seem as if the Providence which watched
over our happy country, had ordered that while we reject
hereditary titles, diffuse and distribute to the greatest at
tainable extent, worldly wealth, and avoid and fear stand
ing armies in time of peace, yet that our liberties shall
be guarded by the transmission, in unimpaired strength,
and full volume, from generation to generation, of the
valuable qualities of bravery and military skill, and the
signal virtue of patriotism on which the vindication of
national honor, and the preservation of our position and
fame, under Providence, depend.
Those gallant officers, too, were volunteers — a class of
military men whose merits and demerits have been large
ly discussed. 6

42
The Mexican War would seem to have established the
fact beyond dispute, that in active and official service in
the field, a volunteer force is surpassed by none, and why
should it not be so 1 A citizen called from the responsi'-
bilities' and associations of civil life, leaves behind him
those who observe his conduct, and whose good opinion
can only be secured by meritorious and gallant bear
ing; We have a right to expect from him intelligent ac
tion, and knbwing as1 he must that his own safety, as
well as the success of the military operations in which he
is engaged, depends on obedience and strict discipline, it
has seemed to me always inevitable that an American
volunteer, of gobd character, must make the best soldier
in the world. He has the intelligence Which enables
him to appreciate the necessity of obedience, and the po
sition at home which pride will not permit him to sacri
fice. With every capacity, then, to learn his duty, and
every motive to stimulate his ambition, it has not surpri
sed me to see the extraordinary and unparalleled success
which has attended our armies in Mexico, composed
mainly of volunteers, nor to find the Citizens of New York
amongst the first soldiers of the Republic.
Fellow Citizens, — I have endeavored carefully to avoid
anything like indiscriminate praise, or exaggerated pa
negyric—these are not natural to my disposition ; and I
could undertake no special duty, however grateful or
honorable, that should require me to express sentiments
I do not honestly entertain. Fulsome adulation of the
dead is not only injurious to them, but is unjust to the
living. It seemed to me more wise to confine my remarks
chiefly to their acts ; for it is on these they will be judged
by the present public and posterity.

43
The Mexican campaign has elicited military talent of
the highest order. We have seen a commander landing
10,000 troops without an accident upon an enemy's coast,
and almost under the guns of a fortress, supposed to be
impregnable — subjugating this fortress, subsisting those
troops, and marching them three hundred miles, through
a country extremely difficult of access, and a dense pop
ulation of a disposition naturally warlike, and presided
over by a chieftain of the highest reputation for military
skill, carrying by storm, and in the face of extraordinary
odds, the strongest positions for assault and defence, tak
ing and leaving behind him cities far larger than any,
save one, in our State, until without a defeat, check, or
even a serious disaster, he planted this small band of war
riors in the heart and capital of the foe, where they re
posed, surrounded by a hostile population of 200,000 souls,
for months, in perfect security and tranquility ; and event
ually compelled a country containing seven millions of
warlike people, and the elements of extraordinary wealth,
to submit to terms of peace satisfactory to the invaders?
and welcome to the government in whose service they
fought. A volume would be too short to do justice to the achieve
ments which I am forced to compress into a sentence ;
but in my judgment, impartial posterity will award to the
hero of this campaign the honor of being one of the ablest,
if not the ablest living general of his day.
This is not the occasion nor the time to describe in de
tail the action of the hosts of military men who have dis
tinguished themselves in Mexico. I can only speak of
the commanders of the two armies.

44
The engagements of General Taylor at Palo Alto and
Resaca de la Palma, fearful as they were, and desperate
as* they seemed — the capture ^of Monterey, the bloody
and obstinate resistance and victory of Beuna Vista, to
gether with the intelligence, good sense, modesty and hu
manity of that distinguished " commander, have made a
wide and deep impression upon the public mind, and se
cured to him the lasting admiration and gratitude of his
country. So conspicuous is this truth that a large num
ber of his fellow citizens are prepared and anxious to in
vest him with the highest office in their gift, the greatest
trust in the world.
But why do I speak of commanders'? Should we over
look the great army of privates % These men see war in
all its horrors ; on the march — in camp — in battle — the
stern and severe and trying labors of military life, devolve
on them. The luxuries of a camp they never know — the
charms of society in a foreign country they rarely enjoy.
Public notices of their gallantry are seldom given ; and,
cut down in the discharge of their duty, either by disease
or carnage, no stone marks the place of their final repose
— no kindness brings their remains to the resting place of
their fathers — no public testimonials of recollection, grati
tude and honor wait upon their interment, yet in the
hearts of these men beats the same devoted patriotism — in
their action is manifested the same stern sense of duty — in
their breasts breathe frequently the same high hopes — the
same noble resolves — and around them cluster the same
ties of associations, kindred and blood, that lend interest,
dignity and character to the most illustrious military chief
tain ; and from such a material as them in times past,

45
have been, and again will be hewn, sovereigns, heroes
and champions of popular liberty.
Brilliant as has been the conduct of officers of every
grade in the recent feats of valor that have reflected such
glory upon the American arms, no one circumstance stands
out more proudly and gratefully to the observation of the
country, than the order, steadiness and conspicuous valor
of the rank and file of our armies in Mexico.
In view of these facts, notorious as they are to every in
telligent citizen, I could not select even the distinguished
men whose remains lie before you, as the objects of over
strained praise and flattery. He who does so would be un
true to history, unkind to them, unjust to himself, and
unfaithful, not only to those patriotic citizens, who with
the same ardent desire to serve their country have not en
joyed the opportunity, but also to those armies of heroes
and patriots to whose action I have thus briefly and hastily
adverted. In concluding, fellow citizens, remarks, which I am ful
ly conscious have nothing but their simplicity and truth to
commend them to your attention, and in thanking you for
the kindness with which you have received suggestions so
unworthy of the effort which you may have beed led to
expect, and which are so well calculated to occasion dis
appointment, allow me to congratulate you, as I think I
may not inappropriately do, that peace is again the happy
condition of our people.
All the departments of industry, social order, the inter-

46
ests of humanity, civilization and Christianity—intellec
tual, moral, political progress — require peace at the hands
of every government and people.
War is a stern necessity, sometimes forced upon nations
as personal conflicts may be upon individuals. In all gov
ernments it carries with it disorder, distress, temporary
destruction of property, and loss of life ; but to our repub
lic it is peculiarly unsuited ; and while I rejoice that the
crisis through which the country has just passed, has nobly
vindicated the system from the reproach, that it is inade
quate to the successful conduct of a foreign war, no one
could have failed to observe that it brings in its train, that
great political evil of increased patronage and power in
the arm of the national government, which is the lurking
danger of the system itself, and which all sincere republi
cans should hazard everything but national honor to avoid.
Increased debt, disturbed occupations, destruction of health
and life, of which the wrecks that lie before you are but
small and partial evidences, sink into insignificance, com
pared with this great evil, which threatens even the exis
tence of institutions, which are the admiration of the
world, and the example and hope of the friends of freedom
throughout the civilized globe.
It is, therefore, with unaffected joy, that I congratulate
you on the re -establishment of peace, and trust that the
day is far distant, when we shall again be called to mourn
the loss of citizens and friends, who have been summoned
to lay down their lives, to uphold the interest or honor of
the United States.

47

THE ODE:

Prepared for the occasion, at the request of the
Common Council,
By George P. Morris, Esq.,
Was then sung by the New York Sacred Music Society,
who occupied the Balcony of the Hall.

From cypress and from laurel boughs,
Are twined, in sorrow and in pride,
The leaves that deck the mouldering brows
Of those who for their country died :
In sorrow, that the sable pall
Enfolds the valiant and the brave,
In pride, that those who nobly fall
Win garlands that adorn the grave.
The onset — the pursuit — the roar
Of victory o'er the routed foe,
Will startle from their rest no more
The fallen brave of Mexico.
To God alone such spirits yield !
He took them in their strength and bloom,
When gathering, on the tented-field,
The garlands woven for the tomb.

48
The shrouded flag — the drooping spear —
The muffled drum — the solemn bell —
The funeral train — the dirge — the bier —
The mourners' sad and last farewell —
Are fading tributes to the worth
Of those whose deeds this homage claim ;
But Time, who mingles them with earth,
Keeps green the garlands of their fame.
At the conclusion of which, the Benediction was pro
nounced, by the Rev. Dr. Hardenbergh, of the Reformed
Dutch Church.
The body of Mr. Forbes was delivered to his friends,
who removed it to Central Hall, from whence his funeral
took place as detailed in the proceedings of the 13th.
The Pearson Guard took charge of the remains of their
late Commandant, and were escorted to Brooklyn by the
Independence Guard of this City.
The other bodies were removed to the Governor's room,
where the Baxter Blues mounted guard over them, until
their removal on the next day.

49
At noon, on the 13th, the Military assembled in pursu
ance of the following order :
FIRST BRIGADE, NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

New York, July 11th, 1848.
The troops of the First Regiment, in this City, will as
semble, under the command of Lieut. Col. Ryer, mounted,
at the Arsenal at one o'clock, on Thursday, 13th instant, to
attend the remains of the gallant Baxter, Barclay, Galla
gher, Chandler and Forbes, to their last resting place,
Greenwood Cemetery. Col. Stewart and Staff will join
the Brigadier and Staff at his quarters, 56 Franklin street.
The Brigadier and Staff will accompany the command.
The usual badge of mourning will be worn.
Commandants of Regiments will issue the necessary
orders to carry this order into effect, and furnish the Bri
gade Major with a corrected roster of their respective offi
cers, and a return of all delinquencies, to the Brigadier
General, according to law. By order,
HENRY STORMS,
Brigadier General,
John A. Bog-ert, Inspector.
H. J. Storms, A. D. C.

50
At three o'clock, p. m., the bodies were removed from
the Cijy Hall, under the direction of the Committee, and
the procession formed in the following order :
Two detachments of Horse Guards.
The Baxter Blues, Lieut. Commandant Kissner.
BAXTER.
With relatives in carriages.
BARCLAY.
Relatives in carriages;
GALLAGHER.
Relatives in carriages.
CHANDLER.
Relatives in carriages.
FORBES.
Relatives in carriages.
Friends of the deceased,- and officers of the first and secodn
Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers, in carriages and on horse
back, together with a number of the field and staff Officers
of the citizen soldiery of New York.

51
At three o'clock the several hearses were brought in
front of the City Hall.
The Baxter Blues, under the command of Lieut. Com
mandant Kissner, proceeded to the residence of Alexander
S. Forbes for the purpose of escorting his remains to Green
wood Cemetery.
The body of Mr. Forbes was accompanied by the mem
bers of " Stranger's Refuge," Lodge No. 4, I. 0. of 0. F.,
of which he was a member, as also that of the " Ringgold
Association," of which he was first captain.
The Baxter Blues, accompanied by Lothian's celebrated
Brass Band led — the rear was brought up by the Gulick
Guard, under the command of Captain Carland, accom
panied by Wallace's Band.
The procession was upwards of a mile in length.
They marched thus to Greenwood, where, on the hill,
and overlooking New York, Staten Island and Brooklyn,
the cavalcade rested. Here the bodies of the deceased
were deposited in graves prepared for their reception, with
their bodies at right angles, so as to form a Roman cross,
head to head, on the centre of which a monument is to be
erected. An address was delivered over the body of Lieut. Forbes,
in accordance with the rules of the Order.

52
The Rev. Dr. Seabury, over the remains of Lieut. Chan
dler, also made a most impressive prayer, which forced
tears from many eyes.
The Baxter Blues then fired three volleys, as a parting
salute, over the graves of the fallen heroes, who were at
tached to them by more than the mere chances of war, or
respect as soldiers who fell in defence of their country.
Peace to their manes.
" How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
With all their country's wishes blest."
Respectfully submitted,
THEODORE R. DE FOREST,
JACOB L. DODGE,
NIEL GRAY,
WASHINGTON SMITH,
THOMAS K. DOWNING,
MORRIS FRANKLIN,
ALEXANDER H. SCHULTZ,
GEORGE H. FRANKLIN,
PATRICK BRENAN,
ROBERT P. GETTY,
JOHN R. PAXTON,
WILSON SMALL.

REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

loint Committee

APPOINTED TO PREPARE AND PRESENT

MEDALS

NEW YORK REGIMENT OF VOLUNTEERS,

WITH THE

ROLLS OF THE COMPANIES,

AS RETURNED TO THE COMMITTEE,

Presented October »d, 1848.

NEW YORK:
McSpidok & Bakee, Printers to the Common Council, 25 Prar ST.
1848.

REPORT, &c

At a meeting of the Board of Aldermen, held on the first of
November, 1847, the following message was received from his
Honor the Mayor, in relation to the victories obtained in
Mexico by our armies. Mayor's Office,
October 21th, 1847.
To the Hon. Morris Franklin,
President Board of Aldermen.
Sir :
The recent intelligence from the seat of war, brings to us the
gratifying assurance that the arms of the American troops have
been, even against the most unparalleled odds, victorious, and
that the flag of our country now floats in triumph over the
Capitol of Mexico. It seems to me fitting that some public
testimonial should be afforded of our sympathy with the gallant
officers and soldiers who have, by their conduct in the battles
near the city of Mexico, covered themselves with glory and
won an imperishable fame ; and I therefore respectfully sug
gest the propriety of convening the Common Council on some
future day, to be designated by yourself, to take action on this
subject.

56
War is always to be deplored, it brings with it many sad
and bitter associations, it carries mourning to the hearts of
thousands ; but no true American could read the accounts of the
glorious victories achieved by our countrymen, without a glow
of emotion and pride ; no true American, however he might
deplore a war, would hesitate at any sacrifice to ensure its
prompt, honorable and successful termination.
Some tribute is especially due from the City of New York,
the great commercial emporium of the Western World. Her
sons have been permitted to share in these glorious victories —
she is called on to mourn some of the best and bravest of her
citizens — she deplores her loss — she rejoices in their triumphs,
and all her citizens, I feel well assured, would join in any tes
timonial by which they might show that the honor of our com
mon country is dear to all. That in the words of the lamented
hero who gave his life for that country, they say, with all sin
cerity, " Our Country, may she be always right — but, right or
wrong, Our Country." Respectfully, WILLIAM V. BRADY, Mayor.
A motion was made by Alderman Meserole, to refer the
same to a Special Committee of five members.
Which was adopted.
And the President appointed Aldermen Messerole, De Forest,
Gilmartin, Smith and Crolius, such Committee.
When the communication was sent to the Board of Assist
ants, which after reading, concurred therein, and the following

57
members appointed as a Committee on the part of this Board,
to wit :
Assistant Aldermen Herring, Robertson, Coger, Hatfield and
Clark. The Committee met from time to time, and after debate as
to the best manner of conveying an expression on their part of
the admiration of our citizens, agreed to recommend to th«
Board, in a report drawn for that purpose, that a medal should
be struck by the Common Council, commemorative of the bat
tles in which our Volunteer regiment had been engaged, and
requested the President of the Board of Aldermen, as also the
President of the Board of Assistants, to convene both bodies on
the twenty-fifth of November, to hear the report and deliberate
on the propriety of adopting the recommendation of the Com
mittee. Each Board having been called together according to the
recommendation of the Committee.
The President of the Board of Aldermen stated briefly the
object for which he had convened the Board.
Whereupon, the Joint Special Committee on the subject of
the recent victories obtained by our arms in Mexico, presented
the following report, preamble and resolutions, thereon.
The Special Committee, to which was referred the communi
cation of his Honor the Mayor, in relation to the late Ameri
can victories in Mexico, respectfully
REPORT:

58
That in contemplating upon the recent results which have
crowned the efforts of the American arms with victories unpar
alleled in the annals of modern warfare, they have found much
to excite their feelings, and to call into action every patriotic
emotion of the human heart ; and while their sympathies have
been excited in reflecting upon the desolations consequent upon
a state of war, in the sufferings and death of so many gallant
men, leaving behind them desolate widows and orphan chil
dren, they haA e sensibly realized that it is the duty of the
American people to throw the shield of their protection around
those noble sons who have sacrificed the endearments of their
homes for the dangers of the field, and to testify in a becoming
manner the estimation in which they hold the services of those
who still survive to uphold the common standard of our coun
try, and to drop a tear of regret over the memory of those who
have fallen in the hour of battle and found a soldier's grave in
a hostile and distant land ; and we venture the assertion that
no parallel can be found in which so comparatively a small ¦>
number of volunteers fresh from the workshops and the plough,
have penetrated so far into the country of an enemy, with such
complete and glorious success, encountering difficulties on
every side, in the passage of steep and almost impassable
mountain barriers, deprived from night to night of their ordi
nary and necessary repose, liable at any moment to be sur
rounded and attacked by a numerous hostile foe, familiar with
every pass of the country, and guarded and protected by a
numerous soldiery, been engaged in more desperate and un
equalled battles with more brilliant success, evincing on every
hand more determined bravery than the history of the present
war so brilliantly portrays, and we proudly challenge the
nations of the world to present a series of victories, which under
all the circumstances connected with this campaign can com-

59
pare with those achieved by our gallant army from Vera Cruz
to the City of Mexico, and from Palo Alto to Buena Vista. It
would be an ungrateful task, and might appear inviduous to
draw comparisons where all have done so well, and crowned
our banners with such glorious wreaths, for we can say in sin
cerity and appeal with confidence for the truth of our assertion,
that better or braver troops, in every attitude of soldiership,
never faced an enemy or won a battle ; that every department
of the army has proved itself of the highest order of excellence ;
that the officers have shown themselves worthy of the confi
dence placed in their valour and their skill, in that they were
always found in the front ranks in the time of danger, uniformly
leading their gallant men upon the bloody field, and exhibiting
upon all occasions the most intrepid coolness, perfect self-pos
session, and undaunted courage: in short, that they have been
skillful, prompt and prudent, and the large number of those
who have fallen at the head of their commands, speaks more
eloquently and impressively than words can do, of the courage
and gallantry which bore them into the heat of the deadly
fight. In thus contemplating upon the bravery of the whole army,
it is a source of pride and gratification to know, that the regi
ment from our own State has performed a conspicuous and
important part in the recent struggle, and that in the engage
ments of the twelfth and thirteenth of September, the standard
of the State of New York was the first to float in triumph from
the walls of the strongly guarded fortress of Chapultepec; and
although from the exposed and dangerous situations in which
they were so often placed, but comparatively few will ever
return to their families and friends, yet it is a consolation to
know that those who fell, fell as brave men love to fall, fight-

60
ing the battles of their country, and expiring in the very arms
of victory. How emphatically then are we called upon, as the
representatives of a people who appreciate the services of their
noble sons, to give some evidence to them and to the world,
that their valor and their worth have not been lost upon those
who claim them as their own. But how and in what manner
shall this be done 1 It is true that we may kindle in our streets
and public squares bonfires, commemorative of our victories ;
we may cause the reverberations of cannon to be heard through
out the city ; our public buildings may glitter with the reflec
tion of ten thousand lights ; our bells may ring a merry peal ;
the military parade in all their splendor, and send forth a feu
de joie amidst the shouts of an assembled multitude, yet these
things are but for a moment, and leave no impression upon the
minds of those whose victories they are designed to celebrate.
It has occurred to your Committee with much force, that the
present would be an appropriate occasion for the Common
Council of our City to testify to the value of the services ren
dered by the patriotic band of this State, by causing an appro
priate medal to be struck, with characteristic designs and
suitable inscription, scommemoralive of the Mexican campaign,
and presenting one to each surviving officer and soldier of the
New York State Regiment, and to the widow, eldest son,
father and mother of those who may have fallen, as a testimony
of their regard for the valuable services rendered by them and
their associates in the defence of that National Standard which
now waves in triumph from the walls of the capitol of Mexico.
Such a design, though novel in this country, has appeared to
your Committee as more appropriate, and better calculated to
produce a favorable and permanent impression upon the minds
of the recipients, than any other demonstration which could be

61
made, stimulating them at all times, so to confirm their conduct
not only while remaining in the ranks of the army, but in their
walks through life, as to prove themselves worthy of such
special notice from their country and when their term of ser
vice shall have expired, and the clarion notes of war be hushed
amidst the loud huzzas of returning peace, and they be per
mitted again to mingle in their domestic circles, what a satis
faction it will afford to the mind of a retired soldier, as he
shows his wounds and fights his battles o'er again, to point to
the evidence which he has received of the confidence and
regard of his native or adopted State, and when the time of his
departure shall arrive, he will bequeath it to his children as a
precious legacy to be by them cherished and preserved as a
valuable memento of their father's services upon the fields of
Mexico. Actuated by such feelings, the Committee most respectfully
submit for adoption, the following preamble and resolutions :
Whereas, The recent triumphs of the American arms under
the command of its brave and gallant officers have excited the
admiration of the world, and called forth loud and approving
plaudits from every section of our country ; and while their
bravery and skill have been the theme of universal commenda
tion, their moderation in the hour of victory has exemplified
the gratifying fact, that while acting in the capacity of soldiers,
they have not forgotten their characters as men or their respon
sibilities as moral agents, and
Whereas, The First Regiment of the New York State Vol
unteers have displayed that unbounded courage and fearless
bravery which has caused them rather to seek, than to avoid

62
the post of danger, by which they have won for themselves
the admiration of the state, which they have so nobly repre
sented, and added fresh laurels to our heretofore victorious and
gallant army, and
Whereas, It is the desire of the Common Council of the City
of New York to testify their admiration of the gallantry dis
played by the sons of the Empire State, in the unequal and
hotly contested battles in which they have been engaged, and
to hand down to them and to their children a suitable demon
stration that their services are appreciated by a grateful and
confiding people. Therefore
Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That our
thanks are emphatically due, and are hereby tendered to the
officers and privates composing the First Regiment of New
York State Volunteers, who, in connection with their noble
associates on the field of battle, have gained for our country
victories unparalleled in the annals of modern warfare, and
proved to an admiring world, that the raw recruits of a patriotic
people can vindicate our national honor, and guard from dan
ger our eagle and our stars.
Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That the
Common Council cause to be struck, under the direction of this
Committee, a suitable medal, commemorative of the recent
victories in Mexico, with appropriate designs and inscriptions,
and that each of the surviving officers and privates of the New
York Regiment, and the widow, eldest son, father or mother
of those who have fallen, which may survive him in the order
above enumerated, be presented with one on behalf of this
Common Council, as a token of their confidence and regard,

63
not only for their valor displayed upon the field, but for their
moderation and forbearance in the hour of victory.
Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur), That a copy
of this report, together with the preamble and resolutions, be
duly authenticated under the seal of th|«f€!ity, and forwarded
to the commandant of the Regiment of the New York Volun
teers, to be by him promulgated among the other officers and
privates in such way and manner as in his judgment may be
consistent with the general regulations of the army.
B. J. MESEROLE,
WASHINGTON SMITH,
CLARKSON CROLIUS,
THEODORE R. DE FOREST,
THOMAS GILMARTIN,
SILAS C. HERRING,
JAMES ROBERTSON,
JOHN COGER, Jr.
AMOS F. HATFIELD,
G. F. CLARK.
A motion was made that the report be accepted, which was
unanimously adopted.
The Committee now clothed with the necessary pow er to
warrant their proceeding, appointed a sub-committee to ex
amine into the cost and receive designs for the work ; and at a
subsequent meeting adopted their recommendation, that the
medals should be struck from fine silver, to be two inches in
diameter, and the weight of each should not be less than two
ounces, and that no difference should exist between those in-

64
tended for the officers or the private soldier, and gave the sub
committee power to order the execution of the work, which
after an examination of the designs placed before them, and
the specimens of work submitted to their inspection by different
artists, finally adopted the design drawn by Paul Duggan, Jr.,
which had %een submitted by Charles C. Wright, Esq., and
awarded to the latter named artist the execution of the work ;
which, it is needless for the Committee now to add, meets their
highest expectation ; and enhances, if possible, the merits and
laurels of the artist.
The following description of the medal was furnished the
Committee by the designer :
On the reverse side is found a female figure, the head of
which is surrounded with stars, representing the Genius of
America, grasping in her right hand the fulmen, with her left
she points to the rising sun ; her left foot resting upon the
cactus, while the Mexican Serpent is lying prostrate beneath
the American Eagle ; mountains form the back-ground, the
Palm indicating the South, and the walled city Vera Cruz, with
the American shipping in the harbor. The figure rests on the
stern of a Roman Galley, which is intended to represent the
Naval power of the United States, and around the whole are
the words " Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Chapultepec, and Churu
busco." On the obverse side is to be found a new and beautiful ar
rangement of the City Coat of Arms, designed by Mr. Chapman,
with the marginal inscription " Presented by the City of New
York, to the N. Y. Regiment of Volunteers in Mexico."

65
With the proceedings as above detailed, the labors of the
Committee under its original appointment closed, and some of
its active members went out of office on the organization of
the new Common Council, on the 9th day of May, 1848, which
shortly after commencing its labors re-organized the Committee
by the following appointments :
Of the Board of Aldermen. — Aldermen De Forest, Crolius,
Smith, Fitzgerald and Hatfield.
Of the Board of Assistant Aldermen. — Messrs. Hibbard,
Webb, Herring, Wood and Clark.
The labors of the new Committee were confined to the pre
paration of the medals of those entitled to receive the same,
under the following resolution of instruction, which passed both
Boards :
That the Special Committee on Medals to the First Regi
ment of New York Volunteers, be instructed to have the name
of each individual to whom the medals shall be presented, en
graved thereon.
The Committee endeavored by all sources of information
within their reach, to ascertain the probable number of medals
required for the regiment, as well as the names of the recipi
ents; and from the frequent failures attendant on their exer
tion, were finally compelled to await the arrival of the volun
teers themselves — after which, they were assured by Col.
Burnett, that full and correct returns should be made by the
commandants of the several companies. The number required
being variously estimated from three hundred and fifty to eight
9

66
hundred. The only communication which gave them the first
introduction to the labors before them, was the following :
ALDERMAN DE FOREST,
Chairman of Committee on Medals.
Dear Sir :
Enclosed, please find a list of all the members of Company
H, First New York Volunteers, who are present to receive
their medals, upon being mustered out of service. The number
of all those who have been enrolled or enlisted since the organi
zation of the regiment, was about 1100, including recruits sent
to Mexico.
The number of those who first joined the regiment, and who
served in the seige of Vera Cruz, was about 780.
The number of those who served at Cerro Gordo, was
about 650.
The number of those who marched from Puebla to the attack
oh the city of Mexico, was 527.
The number of those who remain of the original 780 is near
ly 300. I have the honor to be
very truly, yours,
WARD B. BURNETT,
Colonel, &c.
Fort Hamilton, July 18, 1848.

67
The medals for the above company were immediately pre
pared according to the instructions of the Common Council,
and delivered in person at Fort Hamilton, by the Committee.
Scattering returns of several of the companies from time to
time reached the Committee, the medals for the members of
which have been prepared as soon after application being
made for them as possible, and on the day of the public recep
tion of the Regiment by the citizens at Castle Garden, previous
to their disbandment, the Committee had the pleasure of deliv
ering over to the staff of the regiment, and to the commanders
of six of the companies, the medals prepared for such of the
members as were actually present to receive the same. The
subject being introduced by the following address, prepared at
the request of the Committee, and delivered in presence of the
regiment, by the Hon. Morris Franklin, Esq., President of the
Board of Aldermen.
ADDRESS.
The battle has ceased and the victory won, and we have de
voted this day to welcome to their homes, and congratulate up
on their return, the surviving members of that gallant band,
who at their country's call, sacrificed their domestic endear
ments and cheering associations which cluster around the fam
ily circle, for the dangers of the battle field, and the thrilling
excitement of a soldier's life. B^it, alas ! where are so many
of those noble spirits, who buoyant with hope, and looking for
ward to a brilliant career of victories, bade farewell to their
wives, their children, and their friends, with the fond hope that
when the conflict was ended, and the emblem of peace shdtild
wing its flight from one section of our country to the other, that

68
they too would have rejoined that circle, to dry the tears which.
flowed over their departure, and to administer the balm of con
solation to their wounded spirits 1 They have found a soldier's
grave in a distant land, where the tear of affection never will
bedew the sod which covers their remains, or the hand of friend
ship weave a garland for their tomb ; but a grateful people
will hold in lasting remembrance the glory which they have
achieved, and enrol their names among the patriots of America.
In retrospecting, gentlemen, upon the brilliant career which
has marked your progress, and the success which has crowned
your efforts in the struggles in which you have been engaged,
we have good reason to congratulate you, and our common
country, that in a series of conflicts and victories, unparalleled in
the annals of modern warfare, the bravery of the American
soldiery, of which your regiment formed a conspicuous part,
was eminently successful in maintaining the honor of our flag
against unequalled numbers, and amidst the embarrassments of
a strange and unknown country, together with constant expo
sure to disease in a warm and unhealthy climate, you gained a
series of victories of which the nations of the world might well
be proud, and to which we can refer with feelings of national
gratification and pride.
Undeff the command of the gallant Shields, driected by the
masterly manoeuvre of the chivalric Scott, the battle ground of
Cerro Gordo will forever commemorate the valor of the New
York regiment, and weave a garland for their bravery which
time will never fade.
The glorious scenes of Contreras, and the awful carnage of
Churubusco, where so many fell as martyrs in their country's

69
cause, will form a page upon the record of our history, brilliant
as the proudest monuments of ancient glory, when Rome stood
forth in all her splendor, the wonder and admiration of the
world. At Chapultepec, your position was in front of Quitman's col
umn in the attack upon the outer fortification of that strong and
extensive fortress, and you werte among the first to scale the
casde walls, and to plant upon them your own regimental col
ors in the name and on behalf of the American people.
Throughout the war, and in every position in which you
were placed, whether upon the plains, or upon the mountains,
in the solid phalanx contending against fearful odds, or stand
ing breast to breast in the narrow passes of the enemy ; whether
in the heat of combat or in the hour of victory, as soldiers you
remembered your duty, and as men regarded the misfortune
of the conquered and the slain.
How cheering is the reflection, in looking back upon the
war which has terminated, that no blot or blemish mars the
standard of our country, but that its stars continue to shine in
all the brilliancy of their ancient glory, and that the results of
the contest will prove to the nations of the world that while
we are the advocates of peace, and desire to cultivate and
maintain the most friendly relations throughout the globe, we
can at all times maintain our national honor and vindicate our
country from insult or oppression.
The purpose of commemorating the events connected with
this campaign, and to testify the value in which we hold the
services of the officers and men composing the first regiment

70
of our State Volunteers, the Common Council of the City of
New York have caused to be prepared a silver medal to be
presented to each surviving individual of that Regiment who
enlisted therein prior to the passage of the resolution, and who
have been in 'active service during the war, and to the nearest
surviving relatives of those who . have fallen ; and the honor
has been conferred upon me to present the same to you on their
behalf. Upon inspection of tnese medals, you will perceive
that they bear upon one side the coat of arms of our city with
the name of the donors, and the name of the recipient ; and
upon the other is represented a female figure with a halo of
stars above her head, emblematical of the Genius of America ;
in her extended hand she grasps the fulmen, directed with de
termined looks towards the city in the distance, and with the
other points to the sun, while the palm indicates the south ;
one foot rests upon the cactus, and by the other stands the
eagles-proud of the conquest which he has obtained over the
Mexican serpent, which lies prostrate and within his power.
Behind the figure appears the stern of a Roman galley, repre
sentative of the naval power of the United States ; mountains
form the back ground of the vignette, and the walls represent
the city of Vera Cruz, where; thanks to you and the noble
prowess of our gallant Scott, the flag of our country now floats
in victory, and from which you commenced that triumphant
march towards the capital of Mexico, which finally fell before
the well-directed batteries of the American soldiery, and you
entered within its walls a proud and victorious army ; not to
revel there, and to realize the fancied dreams of a bewildered
imagination, but to claim possession, and wave, in token of
your triumph, the star spahgled banner of America* which now
marks it as the fruits of victory— for when the Halls of the
Mwrtezumas were in your possession, when the din of arms had

71
ceased, the wounded been gathered together, and the slain col
lected for their burial, then the mingled notes of prayer and
praise were raised to Him who controls the destinies of nations ;
and your gallant General, with the tears of gratitude coursing
down his rugged cheeks, passed along the line, and from the
overflowings of a grateful heart, congratulated one and all
upon the glorious victory which they had achieved ! That
must have been a time to try the feelings of the stoutest hearts,
and cold indeed must those have been who could stand un
moved amidst a scene like this, and not realize the debt of
gratitude which they had incurred, in being spared from the
fate of those who were dead and dying around them. We
present these medals to you, not on account of the intrinsic
value which they possess, but as an evidence that the people
of our city appreciate the valor which you have displayed, the
sacrifices you have endured, and the glory" you have purchased
for our republic. We* rejoice with you that the blessings of
peace have followed the victories of our army, and you are per
mitted to rejoin the scenes of your former associations, there to
recount the dangers you have passed, the battlts you have
fought, the victories you have won, and to drop a tear over the
memories of those who fell upon the field of battle, giving evi
dence by their death of their devotion to the cause in which
they were engaged. When your eye rests upon this token of
our gratitude, and you read inscribed thereon the names of
Chapultepec, Churubusco, Cerro Gordo, and Vera Cruz, how
many thrilling associations will they bring to mind connected
with the events that mark their history, and call around you
the persons of our Baxter, our Barclay, our Pearson, our Gal
lagher^ our Chandler and Van Olinda, who did good service in,
the hour of conflict, hut who are now, save one, reposing upon
Battle Hill, beneath the sombre shades of Greenwood.

72
In this connection you will not fail to remember that brave
and noble German, the adopted son of our country, the bold
and fearless Romein, who was the standard bearer of the na
tional flag in the attack upon Churubusco, when wound
ed and deprived of one hand, firmly grasped it with the other,
and when that, too, was shattered and gone, gaining renewed
courage from the dangers to which he was exposed, hugged it
closely to his breast by the remnant of his remaining arm, and
held it firmly there until a fatal shot brought him lifeless to the
ground ; and a more fortunate hand, but not more devoted
heart, caught it as he fell, and finally planted it upon the walls
of the conquered city, amidst the loud huzzas of an enthusiastic
and triumphant army. Take these medal&,-then, ye brave and
gallant men, as emblems of your victories, and of the lasting
gratitude of the people of our city, for the services which you
have rendered, dwell upon the history which they are designed
to commemorate ; tell, and rehearse it to your children and
your companions ; and when you shall be called upon finally to
surrender up your lives, and yield obedience to the King of
kings, transmit them as precious boons to those who were the
most nearly allied to you in life, and who will be most likely
to cherish them after your decease.
On behalf then of the Common Council of the City of New
York, I tender for your acceptance the medals to which I have
referred, and ask you to receive them as an evidence that the
people of our city, whose representatives we are, will cherish
with the most lively recollections the services which you have
performed in the prosecution of a war which has added a bril
liant wreath to our country's glory, and cast a halo around your
brows which the proudest monarch on his throne might envy.

73
The tattered flag which is now before us, and the national
standard you so nobly defended, both of which have been re
turned to be placed among the archieves of our city, together
with the evidence of the confidence and attachment of the peo
ple of the South in the presentation of the splendid banner,
wrought by the fair hands of those who were indeed the last
best gift of heaven to man, are " confirmation strong as proof
of Holy Writ," that you are worthy of our confidence and en
titled to our warmest thanks.
Long may our country remain the home of those who, like
you, are ever ready to defend it in the hour of danger, and to
stand as sentinels around our political institutions. Then, in
deed, may we rest secure ; and amidst the commotions which
are now disturbing the ancient land marks of the European
world, our country will remain as the model republic of the
nineteenth century, to which the people of other countries will
flock as does the doves to the windows, and around whom we
will throw the shield of our protection, as we gather them
within the fold of the American nation, where we trust that
animating emblem, the stars and stripes of our country, will
ever wave —
" O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

10

74
The Committee have been daily engaged since in the exam
ination and collation of returns,, hearing the various, and i re
peated applications made by the returned soldier, the father,
the mother, and the widow ; and though in some cases the gift
has: been received and: lost by carelessness immediately after
ward, yet in others it is cherished with devotion, and kept with
the care: of a sacred' relic.
Respectfully submitted^
THEODORE R. DE FOREST,
CLARKSON CROLIUS,
WASHINGTON SMITH,
EDMUND FITZGERALD, '
AMOS, F. HATFIELD,
Of the Board of Aldermen.
TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD,
CHARLES WEBB,
' SILAS CI HERRING,
JAMES C. WOOD,
GEORGE F. CLARK,
Of the Board of Assistants.
New York, Oct. 2d, 1848.

75
The Committee herewith publish the Rolls of the various
companies, as presented by their commanders, of those entitled
to the Medals, under the resolutions ; most of which have been
delivered by the Committee, and some of which may never be
applied for.
The returns, as made, are as yet imperfect and cause some
dissatisfaction to the relatives, as well as to the disabled, but
returned volunteer.
Major General WINFIELD SCOTT, U. S. A.
Major General JOHN A. QUITMAN, U. S. A.
Acting Chaplain REV. M. McCARTY, U. S. A.
Medals to each of the above were presented by special reso
lution of the Committee.
Colonel Ward B. Burnett,
Lieut. Col. Charles H. Baxter,
Lieut. Col. James C. Burnham,
Major Garret Dyckman,
Adjutant James H. McCabe,
Surgeon Mina B. Halsted,
Captain James F. Hutton,
Sergt. Major Patrick O'Gorman,
Quarter Mast. Sergt. Edward McCutcheon,
" " « William H. Kearney,
Musician David E. Carpenter,
" Patrick Berry.

76
COMPANY A.
Captain William Forry.

Lieut. Israel Miller,
" Charles S. Cooper,
" Thomas J. Rogers,
Sergt. Robert F. Allason,
" Alexander Smith,
" Jacob David,
Corpl. Jeremiah Ring,
" Thomas McGivern,
" Miqhael Clark,
Mus'n. Conrad Muler,
" Wm. J. Berghdorf,
Private Harry Arckoll,
" John Adams,
" Peter Burnds,
" William A. Coventry,
" James Duncan,
" John Drew,
" Patrick Fallon,
" Thomas Foley,
" Thomas Farrell,

«

Private Thomas Hemming,
" Edwin W. Hacker,
" John O. Hunt,
" David Kelly,
" John Larking,
" Charles D. Lyon,
" William MeGuinass,
James McCoy,
John Moran,
Stephen S. Moore,
Daniel Mickle,
John J. Marshall,
John Munday,
Rufus D. Pettit,
Peter Surmer,
Henry Staupirig,
Dennard S. Tinimonds,
Everhard Welter,
John G. Wood^
Benjamin F. Wheeler.

DISCHARGED.

Sergt. Samuel Henry,
" James M. Bayles,
Corpl. Louis Albough,
Private Thomas W. Tobin,
" Albert L. Waggoner,

2d Lt. Thomas W. Sweeney,
Private Lawrence Graur,
" James L. Harper,
" Erben Haun,
" Joel Williss,

77

Private John D. Bradley,
" Julies G. Nordman,
" Joseph Roworth,
" James M. Parker,
" John Callahan,

Private David N. Decker,
" Hendrick Mier,
" Joshua Dudley,
" John H. Orr,
" William Breslen.

DEAD.

1st Lt. Augustus Jacobus,
Sergt. Henry H. Satterly,
Private George T. Rosbeeck,
" Charles Gode,
" Joseph Banks,

Private Alfred A. Leonard,
" Benjamin F. Bennett,
" Conrad Heicher,
• " Edward Fife,
" John P. Bouteer,

Joseph Heicher.

78
COMPANY B.
Captain Alfred W. Taylor*
1st Lt. Robert M. Floyd, Private B. Grassenauer,
2d " Hypolite Dardonville, " William Gravenitz,
3d " Carl Becher, " August Heiss,
1st Sgt. Carl Butterbrod, " Michael Kuber,
2d " Joseph -Reutter, " Ge.orge Knortser,
3d " John Abel, " Raoul Dorsch,
1st Cor. Jacob Hirschhprn, " John Ludwig,
3d « John Henkel, ' , " Allan McDonald,
4th " George Daub, " Lindock Muir,
Private David Barkowski, " Otto Newbauer,
" John Bechtel, " Christopher Newman,
Adam Behland, " Conrad Pingell,
Sylvester Beguet, " Peter Schon,
James Bowse, " John Tweedy,
Thomas Dixon, " Carl Voss,
John Eber, " Carl Wentzell,
Charles Moorhead.
SICK.
Sergt. John Abel, Private Julius Latte,
Private Alexander Lission.
discharged.
Captain Gustave de Bongars, Corpl. Francis Bonez,
" Gustave de Reichardt, " John Haab,
1st Lt. Marpe Reed, Private Conrad Dorn,
2d " Francis Durning, " Martin Dorn,

79

Private Martin Geier,
" Edward Holtzke,
" John Hunt,
" James Kelly,
" Hermann Konig,

Private Geo. Liebold,
" George Nazel,
" Stefan Uberschutz,
" George William,
" Fred'k Viere.

DEAD.

Sergt. P. VanderhelmRomein3
" Lewis Bovet,3
Corpl. Christian Meyer,
Private David Rathburn,3
" Peter Wiese,3
" Constantine Baillottz,
" Charles Debegue,
" Philibert Dure,
" Carl Frantzius,

Private Frederick Hartwick,
" Peter Hirshbach,
" John Kocher,
" Wm. Lackenraeyer,
" Otto Naeder,
" Francis Nolte,
" Valentine Petzold,
" Henry Sturmer,
" Jacob Wirth,

NOTE.

3 Severely wounded at Chapultepec. 2 Killed at Churubusco.

COMPANY C.
Captain George B. Hall.
1 Lieut Francis G. Boyle, Private David Costigan,

2 " Alexander H. Barber,

cc

George Congdon,

2 " Edward Cook,

a

Antonio Dabrouski,

1 Sergt William Peel,

«

Charles Eccleston,

2 " Bartholomew M. Lynch,

ti

Antonio French,

3 " Philip Conway,

11

Frederick Hartman,

4 " Geo. Gorham Craig,

a

Bernard Hazen,

1 Capt. James McCann,

u

John Jenkins,

2 " Martin Grosse,

n

Adolph Kilgart,

3 " Andrew Shaffer,

a

Angevine Leonard,

4 " Wm. P. Mclntyre,

u

William McVail,

Private Samuel H. Beattie,

n

James McNortom,

" Richard Burke,

tt

Owen Mohen,

" William Benton,

a

Philip Myers,

" John Carter,

n

Thomas Reed,

" Thomas Reid, .

it

Joshua Smith,

" John Russel,

it

Oliver A. Tilton,

" Philip E. Shannon,

discharged.
Private William Beattie, Private Adam King,
" William Bolt, " C. Ramensnyder,

John Farren,

Benj. Van Clief.

DEAD.

Capt. James Barclay,
Private Abraham Delamater,
" Thomas Dodd,
" Timothy Golden,
" John Lawrence,

Private Andrew Golard,
" Christian Clemm,
" Cornelius Lloyd,
" James Saxton,

81
COMPANY D.
Captain Jay P. Taylor,

1 Lieut Fiancis Pinto,
2 " John Hill,
2 " Henry Dusenberry,
Sergt. Robert M. Harper,
" Hugh Gainer,
" William S. McCormick,
" Henry Stanton,
" John S. Whaley,
" Edward R. Danburgh,
Corpl. Peter Toell,
" James E. Burch,
" Wesley Smith,
" John Davis,
Private Daniel S. Murphy,
" Michael Mentze,
" Robert W. Anderson,
" John Coyne,
" Abram M. White,
" Francis Willick,
" Edward Dunn,
" Abram M. Deremer,
" Daniel Hawley,
" Edward Schiller,
" John Ashley,
" John B. Halfpenny,
" James Kelly,

Private Richard T. Jefferson,
• " Rueben Jones,
" James Kennada,
" James Lenox,
" Michael Larvey,
" Michael Lewis,
" Alexander Morand,
" Edward Morand,
" William McCanna,
" John McNulty,
" Payton J. Nodine,
" Patrick Ryan,
" Dan'l S. Standerwick,
" Michael Sullivan,
" Goodrich Spaulding,
" Lawrence Strobill,
" James Topley,
" John B. Cobb,
" Joseph Lewis,
" Philip Lockwood,
" James Manning,
" Geo. R. McFadden,
" Freedom G. Newton,
" Charles Floyd,
" William Wiley,
" William Moulton,

11

82

DEAD.

Corpl. Jesse Carman,
Private Joseph Adams,
" Patrick Behen,
" Henry R. Browne,
" John Cooper,
" Thomas Conally,
" Luke Cassada,
" Samuel D. Duncan,
" Orlow Farrall,
" John Wright,

Private John W. Joyce,
" John C. Johnson,
" Jacob Laud,'
" Nicholas Mead,
" Nicholas Mooney,
" Charles E. Oakley,
" James Roe,
" James Smith,
" William H. Thompson.

83
COMPANY E.
Captain Robert A. Carter.

1st Lt. J. W. Henry,
2d " David W. Doremus,
1 Segt. Joseph Corniff,
2d " John L. Trainor,
3d " Francis Crawford,
4th" Edward Slowly,
1st Cor. Henry Betton,
2d " Philip Ewault,
3d " Martin Duncan,
4th " George Piatt,
Private James Armstrong,
" William Blues,
" John Baun,
" Francis Conroy,
" Stephen Connor,
" Mark Chrieser,
" Martin Folen,

Private George Geiren,
" Robert Gannon,
" John Graham,
" William Hunter,
" John Hoe,
" Mark Kahn,
" William McCoppin,
" William Miller,
" Willam Manson,
" George Poos,
" David Simmons,
" Alexander Sivun,
" James Searl,
" John Thyson,
" David Wells,
" Christopher H. Dunn,
JohnW. Lyon.

discharged.

Private W. D. Hamilton,
" Albert Lombard,
" John H. Leech,

Joseph Croto,
Timothy Dunovan.

dead.

Capt. Charles H. Pearson,
1st Lt. Garret Fitzgerald,

Private George W. Blake,
Lieut. Edgar Chandler,

84
COMPANY F.
Captain S. S. Gallagher.

1st Lt. James G. Hillis,
2d " E. B. Carroll,
2d " Michael A. Curran,
1st Sgt.W. H. Warren,
2d " G.Ji. Pruyn,
3d " John F. Hatfield,
4th " Josiah Campbell,
1st Cor. John Acker,
2d " M. Conlin,
3d " Thomas Suppis,
4th " A. J. Constantine,
Private John Green,
" W. B. Parisien,
" Wm. Anderson,
" Charles M. Brower,
« Charles Bath,
" John Coss,
" John Cox,
" John Hink,
" Barny Harrigan,
" Frederick Hartman,
" Joseph A. Jones,
" Thomas Dooley,

Private Charles Keen an,
" James Ludlam,
" James Murray,
" Peter J. Mumpton,
" John E. Murphy,
" Peter McCann,
" John McKeown,
Scott McKay,
" John Myers,
" Michael Nolans,
" John Nelson,
" Henry Otten,
" William Quackenbush,
" Peter Reilly,
" William Taylor,
"¦ Henrich Vansell,
" John Warren,
" Joseph Warren,
" Edward Wilson,
" Garret Barry,
" William Tompkins,
" Henry Hardenbrook,
" Joseph Boyle,

85
COMPANY G.
Captain Daniel E. Hungerford.

Lieut. M. N. Croft,
" Henry Gaines,
" John Wilson,
Sergt Charles A. Sammons,
" Charles L. Thompson,
" William H. Williss,
" Charles F. Hall,
Corpl. Albion K. P. Wallace,
" Henry Rogers,
" William Doyle,
" John Splain,
Private John Brown,
" Barnes Nelson,
" James Cronley,
" Dominick Nelson,
" Bernard DeYoung,
" Lewis DeGrandval,
" James Gibson,

Private James Hart,
" Thomas Healy,
" Daniel Montgomery,
" John Morton,
" James Munigan,
" John McDonnell,
" James McGill,
" John Noyes,
*' Charles E. Patterson;
" Thomas Powell,
" John Smith,
" Arad Smith,
" Alonzo Sanborn,
" John H. Snyder,
" William Shirtleff,
" Adam Saun,
" Lot Swift,
William Hart,

DISCHARGED.
Lieut. William H. Brown, Private Ebenezer Fisk,
Private James Wilson, '
" Thomas P. Bowen, '
" Edward Carr,1
" Varnum Van Slyke, '
" Martin Finney,2 '
" William Hart,2
" Charles Crap,3
Peter Farley,4

James Smith,4
John McKinney,5
Frederick Fox,6
John Dillon,
Josiah B. Davis,
John O. Donnell,1
James Peck.

86

DEAD.

Corpl. Jacob Albrecht,3
Private Orrin Elwood,1 '
" Robert Devoe,1"
" Bernard Crummie,1 °
" Andrew Kline, 1 °
'( Alexander Rodney, 1 °
" John Shaw,9
" Joseph A. Dennis,9

Private Charles Wheeler,1 "
" William Bell,1 '
" John Benjamin,1 '
" Thomas Topham,"
" Charles E. Randall,1 >
" Peter E. Butcher,1 '
" Frank Smith,1'
" Thomas Ingham,1 ]

NOTE.

1 Wounded at Churubusco.
2 Lost his leg at "
3 Wounded twice at "
4 Lost his aim at "

* Disabled while prisoner of
war.
8 Killed at Puebla.
9 " at trfe Garita de Belen,

5 Wounded at City of Mexico. " " at Churubusco.
6 Ruptured while in service. 1 1 Died in Hospital.

87
COMPANY H.
Captain Addison Farnsworth.

1st Lt. Jacob Griffen, Jr.
1st Sgt. Henry Moorhead.
2d " Tyler W. Gray.
3d " Geo. A. Seaman,
4th " Jarvis Streeter,
1st Cor. John Butler,
2d " Hezekiah Dare,
3d " John Mackey,
4h " John Gower,
Mus'n. Daniel O'Keefe,
Private James Brady,
" Wm. H. Brumaghim,
" William White,
" Michael Butler,

Private Asa Burke,
" George Craig,
" Jeremiah Daly,
" Alfred Dougherty,
" John H. Duffy,
" William Gross,
" James Leary,
" Alonzo Mather,
" George Porter,
" Norman Van Beuren,
" R. P. Van Ranken,
" Henry Webb,
' Cornelius Winters.

discharged.

1st Sgt.James Ashton,
4th " William Boyd,
lst^Cor.Robert Haines,
Private Nathan Bowen,
" William T. Burgess,
" Henry Clemshire,
" Peter Duross,
" John W. Lyon,

Private Alvin McCune,
" Joshua L. Simmons,
" Patrick Crimiere
" James Dever,
" Patrick Roney,
"' John Allison,
" John Connor,
" Robert Dyes.

died.

Capt. Abram Van Olinda, 1 Pri
1st Lt. Charles F. Gallagher,
Private William H. Jeffries,
" Geo. E. Waddell,
" William Allison,3

vate Sopphe Myers,
Joseph Richardson,
Samuel S. Steele,
David Niblock,
Ransen Pettit,

note.

Killed at Chapultepec.

3 Killed at Churubusco.

89

COMPANY I.
Captain Martin Fairchild.

1st Lt. David Scannell,
2d " William Wiley,
Private Jacob R. Riley, "
" Augustus Brelett, "
" Samuel Duffin, "
" Thomas Normand, "
" William McGuire, "
" Thomas L. Decker, "
" George Pemberton, "
" Benjamin Romain, "
" David Cairy, "
" John Coleman, "
" , William Daily, "
" Joseph Duffin, "
" Joseph Franklin, "
" Joseph Fly, "
" John S. Gardner, "
Robert Dullay

Private Samuel Gardiner,
" James Higgins,
" James Hutton,
" Richard Headrick;
" Marx M. Hart,
" Patrick Minatur,
" Henry Phillips,
" Edward H. Ross,
" Thomas Rowley,
" George W. Struthers,
" Philip Streeter,
" James Stivers,
" George Thistleton,
" William Zwick,
" Thomas L. Doty,
" James Mullen,
" Richard Oxten,

DISCHARGED.

Private John Sanders,
" Patrick McCarty,
" Frederick Stokes,
" John Hepburn,
" Harvey Lake,
" George L. Wilber,
Private Charles M. Tucker,
" James Mullen,
" Moses D. Day,
" Joseph Emmons,12

Private Henry Bird,
" John C. Matthews,
" Horace J. Meech,
" Leonard W. Howes,
" Daniel Robertson.

DEAD.

Private Thomas Halsted,
" Ebenezer Cook,
" William Wilbur.

90

COMPANY K.
Captain Charles H. Innis.

1st Lt. John Rafferty,
1st " James S. McCabe,
2d " Henry Dusenbury,
1st Sgt. John McClean,
2d " Eliphalet Everett,
George Beebe,
Lewis D. Frost,
P. N. Lawler,
Frederick Cook,
" Henry S. Johnson,
ivate Harman I. Beach,
James Bowen,
John Boyce,
William Burns,
F. H. Bennich,
C. W. Baker,
J. R. Baker,

3d "
4th "
1st Cor
2d "
3dPr

Private John B. Beattie,
" John Collins,
" William Dempsey,
" Augusta Dollinger,
" Mathew Dougherty,
" Arrin Harrington,
" Peter Jacobs,
" Ferdinand Labahn,
" Michael F» Morris,
" James Plate,
" James H. Pitts,
" William Rhoads,
" John G. Snow,
" Jacob C. Somers,
" Gushard Speakhart,
" James F. Tompkins,
" Timothy Wandell.

DISCHARGED.

1st Lt. William Taylor,
Sergt. Joseph Henriques,
" William Hughes,
" Samuel D. Sirrine,
Corpl. Alexander G. Moran,
Private John D. Baker,
" Charles D. Lane,
" Henry S. Woods,

Private William Jones,
" John Cook,
" Edward Williams,
" William Stow,
" Benjamin F. Bross,
" James O. Hern,
" Thomas L. Tombs,
" Randolph Tuttle,

DEAD.

Private Patrick Fagan,
James Maxlum,
Charles Folley,
John L. Young,
Andrew Van Allen,
Alexander Cook,
William Millon,
Thomas Burnett,

Private Jasper Lynt,
" Charles Robbins,
" Henry Havern,
" Thomas Mullins,
" Nathaniel J. Randall,
" Thomas K. Boerum,
, " James Horton.

REPORT

JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL,
APPOINTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE
NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS /
FOR THE
RECEPTION

FIRST EEGrlMEIT OF
NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
©n %tr return from Mtxka.

Presented by Alderman Smith.

NEW YORK:
McSpedon & Baker, Printers to the Common Covncil, 25 Pine st.
1849.

Report of the Joint Committee of the Common Coun
cil, APPOINTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING THE
Necessary Arrangements for the Reception of
the First Regiment of New York Volunteers, on
their Return from Mexico.

^-?.+1 m i

The officers and men of the First Regiment of New York
Volunteers being, with the other troops composing the American
army, on their return to their country and their homes from
Mexico, after the conclusion of the war, it was deemed that a
public and appropriate reeeption, under the direction of the
municipal authorities, should be tendered them on their arrival
in this City, as a testimony of the estimation entertained by
their fellow-citizens of the gallant bearing of the regiment,
evinced in some of the most brilliant triumphs of the American
arms, especially at the battle of Churubusco and at the storm
ing of Chapultepec, at both of which places it displayed a
courage and a heroism which have justly distinguished it as
one of the bravest regiments of the whole army, during the war.
It was also deemed proper to celebrate at the same time, the
restoration of the peaceful relations which formerly existed
between our own, and the neighboring republic of Mexico.

94
Accordingly, on the 26th' of June, 1848, in the Board of
Aldermen, the following preamble and resolution were pre
sented by Alderman Smith, viz :
Whereas, Official information has been received, that peace
has been restored between this country and Mexico, and that
the gallant soldiers who have nobly sustained themselves upon
many a well fought field and shed a lustre upon the American
arms, are now about to return to their respective homes ; and
Whereas, Among those most honorably distinguished are the
men composing the New York Regiment, who are daily ex
pected to arrive in this City ; and
Whereas, It has been usual upon the return of peace, for our
citizens to mingle in some public demonstration by which they
may express their gratitude for so great a blessing, and testify
to those who may have participated in the strife of arms, the
value in which they hold their services, and congratulate them
upon their escape from danger and a safe return to their fami
lies and homes ; therefore,
Resolved, (if the Board of Assistants concur) That a Com
mittee be now appointed to take this subject into consideration,
and upon the return of the troops of our State from Mexico, to
recommend and carry out such demonstration as in their judg
ment may be fit and proper, for the purpose of testifying our
gratification upon the return of peace, and the complete triumph
of the American arms in the recent contest in Mexico.
The same were unanimously adopted by the said Board, and
Aldermen Smith, De Forest, Gray, Libby and Swartwout were
appointed such Committee on the part thereof, the President
being added thereto. ,

95
On the same day, at a meeting of the Board of Assistant
Aldermen, Mr. Hibbard also presented the following preamble
and resolutions in relation to the same subject, viz :
Whereas, It is becoming a great and magnanimous people,
while rejoicing in the restoration and blessings of peace, to he
mindful also of those whose personal sacrifices, privations and
valor won a boon so grateful to humanity ; and
Whereas, It is understood that the First Regiment of New
York Volunteers have embarked from Vera Cruz, and may be
expected shortly to arrive in our City ; and
Whereas, Every man comprising our small army in Mexico,
was expected to do his duty, and it appears that the individual
fortitude, conduct and bravery of our volunteers fully sustained
the expectations of their fellow-citizens — covering themselves
with imperishable renown — elevating the standard and military
character of their country at home and abroad — deservfng alike
the gratitude and benediction of a free people ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the City of New York, not unmindful of the
merit and services of those brave men, who volunteered to rep
resent her in the army of our common country upon the soil
of Mexico, should welcome their return to their country, fami
lies and friends, with grateful acknowledgments for the faithful
and brilliant manner in which they have fulfilled their duties —
in nobly sustaining our honor and flag on the battle fields of
Mexico — in their moderation in victory — in their humanity to
the sick and wounded of the enemy — as well as their irrepres
sible energy and valor in action.

96
Resolved, (if the Board of Aldermen concur,) That a Com
mittee of five be appointed to arrange the proper reception of
the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the First
Regiment New York Volunteers, upon their arrival, and to
escort them through the City ; and that the military, civic soci
eties, and citizens generally, be invited to join with the Common
Council in their reception.
Which were likewise unanimously adopted, and Assistant
Aldermen Hibbard, Jamison, Miller, Schultz and Getty ap
pointed such Committee on the part of the Board, together with
the President thereof.
Both sets of preambles and resolutions were respectively
concurred by the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Assistant
Aldermen, and the same Committees appointed thereon.
They were subsequently approved by his Honor the Mayor.
The Joint Committee in accordance therewith, met for the
first time, on the evening of the 29th of June last, and after or
ganizing, and making some progress in relation to the subject
committed to their charge, adjourned to the 6th of July, follow
ing, — the Secretary being directed to invite Major General
Sandford, and Brigadier Generals Storms, Morris, Hall and
Ewen, to attend their subsequent meetings.
The Chief Engineer of the Fire Department was also invited
to be present.
On the sixth of July the Committee re-assembled, and were
then informed, from a reliable source, that a portion of the reg-

97
inlent, under the command of Major Garret Dyckman, had em
barked at New Orleans, on the 27th of June, in the steambark
"Edith," for Fort Hamilton. Their arrival was consequently
expected within a few days.
The Committee being possessed of no certain information in
relation to the time of departure, or expected arrival, of the re
maining companies, and they also being desirous that the
whole regiment should be present at the reception about to be
tendered it, it was determined to communicate with the War
Department, in order that directions might be given or issued
therefrom to continue in the service, the companies which
should first arrive, until the arrival of the whole regiment.
In accordance therewith, Major General Sandford, and Al
derman Smith, the chairman of the Committee, were appointed
a sub-Committee to communicate with the War Department in
relation to this subject, as well as to request permission for the
other troops that might be at the time on this station, to unite ih
the ceremonies of the occasion.
Major General Sandford, one of this sub-Committee, subse
quently addressed the following letter to the Secretary of War.
New York, July 7, 1848.
My Dear. Sir :
The Corporation of the City of New York has
made extensive arrangements for a public reception of the
New York Volunteers, upon their return from Mexico, and
has prepared medals, with suitable inscriptions, to be pre
sented to every member qf the regiment.

98
The military of the City, with the civic societies, and the
citizens at large, are making preparations to unite in this re
ception, and it is intended to combine with the occasion a cele
bration of the peace with Mexico, and the triumphant return of
our army.
Under these circumstances I address you, by request of the
Committee of Arrangements of the Common Council, to request
that you will give directions to the commanding officer on this
station, not to disband any part of the regiment of New York
Volunteers, until the whole are here and prepared to attend
this public reception ; and that you will give permission that all
the troops from Mexico, which may then be on this station,
may be brought over to the City for the purpose of uniting in
the celebration.
It is understood here that seven companies of the New York
Regiment are now on their way to this port from New Or
leans ; and that the remaining three companies are coming here
from Vera Cruz direct. If this be so, they will probably arrive
within a few days of each other, and you will confer a special
favor upon the City by retaining the companies which arrive
first, until the others appear.
I am very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
CHAS. W. SANDFORD.
The Hon. W. L. Marcyj Secretary at War.
On the eleventh day of July the " Edith," with the detach
ment, under the command of Major Dyckman, on board, con
sisting of four companies, viz : Companies A., B., E. and H.,

99
anchored at the Quarantine. Her arrival was hailed by the
display of the National colors from the City Hall, and the vari
ous hotels and public buildings in the City, as well as from the
numerous shipping in the port.
No answer as yet, on the 13th of July, having been received
by Major General Sandford to his letter to the Secretary of War,
and the remaining companies of the regiment not having arri-
rived, it was feared, from the " general orders" published by the
Department in relation to the discharge of the Volunteers on their
arrival at their respective destinations, that those companies
which were already here, would be discharged before the arri
val of the remaining ones, unless the request of the Committee
in this respect was complied with. Accordingly, on that day,
his Honor the Mayor addressed a letter to the Adjutant General
of the army, at Washington, embracing a similar request.
An answer was soon afterwards, on the 16th of July, re
ceived thereto, expressing the regret that the existing arrange
ments of the Department could not be changed ; and also a copy
thereof was received on the same day by Major General Sand
ford, with an endorsement requesting him to accept it as an an
swer to his letter on the same subject to the Secretary of War.
The following is a copy of the letter received by his Honor
the Mayor, from the Adjutant General :
Adjutant General's Office, ?
Washington, July 15, 1848. 5
Sir: I have received and laid before the Secretary of War, your
letter of the 13th inst., requesting that the discharge of the
2

100
New York Regiment of Volunteers may be postponed until the
arrival of all the companies, with a view to a public reception
of the regiment as a body, by the Common Council of the City
of New York.
With every disposition to further the views of the City au
thorities, the Secretary of War doubts whether, independently
of the known wishes of the Volunteers themselves, for an im
mediate discharge on reaching the United States, it would be
legal to order them to be retained in service after their arrival
at the several points of rendezvous, longer than may be abso
lutely necessary to prepare the rolls, &c, for their muster and
discharge as indicated in the " general orders," heretofore pub
lished, and he therefore instructs me to express his regret, that
the existing arrangements cannot be changed.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[Signed] R. JONES, A. G.
W. F. Havemeyer, Esq.,
Mayor of the City of New York :
The Department having, therefore, refused for the reasons
set forth in the letter of the Adjutant General, to interfere with
the orders heretofore published, two of the companies, viz :
Company E, Capt. Robert A. Carter, and Company H, Capt.
Addison Farnsworth, were on or about the 22d of July, mus
tered and discharged from the service of the United States.
On the same day, the 22d, the remaining companies, with
the staff of the regiment, under the command of Lt. Col. James

101
C. Burnham, arrived in the ship " Fanny Forrester." They
were soon after disembarked and took up their quarters at Fort
Hamilton. In the meantime, the Committee had progressed with and
nearly perfected their arrangements, and were only awaiting
the arrival of this last detachment in order to complete them,
and fix the day for the reception. The detachment, therefore,
having arrived, they proceeded to complete the arrangements,
and, on consultation with Col. Burnett, the commander of the
regiment, and other officers thereof, Thursday, the 27th of
July, was designated as the day.
Among other arrangements, it was concluded that, on the
day of the reception, the Common Council should proceed in a
steamboat, to be procured for the occasion, to Fort Hamilton,
and having received the regiment on board, escort it to Castle
Garden, where his Honor the Mayor would receive the officers
and men composing it, and bid them welcome in the name of
the citizens of New York.
This ceremony being concluded, they were to be received
by the military, under the command of Major General Sandford,
drawn up in line on the Battery, with the highest military
honors, and thence escorted by them through the various streets
of the City, to be designated as the line of march in the pro
gramme of the day, back to the Castle.
On their return to the Garden, the colors of the regiment,
together with the one presented to it by Major General Scott,
in the City of Mexico, as a distinguished mark of his estimation
of its bravery exhibited in the battles in which it was engaged,

102
were to be presented to the City, and received on the part
thereof by his Honor the Mayor.
After the conclusion of this ceremony, the medals prepared
under the direction of the Joint Medal Committee, by the order
of the Common Council, were to be presented by the Hon.
Morris Franklin, President of the Board of Aldermen, to the
officers and men of the regiment entitled to receive them.
The regiment was then to return to Fort Hamilton, under
the escort of the Common Council.
The Committee also concluded to furnish the regiment with
refreshments on board of the boat, both on coming up from and
on returning to the Fort.
In order the more fully to carry out a portion of the fore
going arrangements,
Messrs. Schultz, Hibbard and Small, and the Chairman of
the Committee, were appointed a sub-Committee to procure a
suitable boat for the occasion.
Messrs. Schultz, Libby and Small, were also appointed a,
sub-Committee, to cause the necessary refreshments to be
furnished. On account of the large number of guests to be received at
Fort Hamilton on board of the boat, it was concluded that no
invitations should be extended to accompany the Common
Council, except to Major General Sandford, Brigadier Generals
Storms, Morris, Hall and Ewen, with their respective staffs,
and the members of the press.

103
A special invitation was directed to be sent to Major General
Scott, then being on a visit for the benefit of his health at
Rockaway, Long Island. The same was subsequently dis
patched by a special messenger.
The Committee had at first intended to embrace a Civic and
Military procession; but after further consideration, it was
determined to dispense with the civic portion of it, so as to
have a purely military one, it being, in the opinion of the
Committee, more consonant with the occasion.
ACCORDINGLY THE FOLLOWING ORDERS ISSUED BY THE VARIOUS
COMMANDERS OF THE
MILITARY,
WERE LAID BEFORE THE COMMITTEE :

FIRST DIVISION— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

DIVISION ORDERS.

New York, July 24, 1848.
This division will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst.,
(in concurrence with the arrangements made by the Corpora
tion of the City,) for the purpose of receiving the First Regi
ment of New York Volunteers, upon their triumphant return
from the, battle-fields of Mexico.

104
The division line will be formed upon the Battery, with the
right on Whitehall, at quarter past 10 o'clock, A. M., precisely,
immediately after which, the volunteers will be received by the
division. The salute upon the landing of the volunteers at Castle
Garden, will be fired under the direction of Brigadier General
Morris, of the second brigade.
Brigadier General Hall, of the third brigade, will direct two
troops of horse to report to the diyision inspector upon the
Battery, at 10 o'clock, precisely, and a troop to report to the
Major General at the same hour, at his quarters, for escort duty.
By order of
C. W. SANDFORD,
Major General.
R. C. Wetmore, Division Inspector.

FIRST BRIGADE— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

New York, July 24, 1848.
This brigade will in pursuance with division orders, parade
on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for the purpose of receiving

105
the First Regiment of New York Volunteers. The line will
be formed on the Battery at 10 o'clock, A. M.
By order of
Brigadier General STORMS.
J. A. Bogart, Brigade Major.
H. Johnson Storms, Aid-de-Camp.

SECOND BRIGADE— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

New York, July 24, 1848.
In compliance with division orders of this date, the brigade
will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for the purpose
of receiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
The line will be formed on the Battery at 10 o'clock, A. M.
precisely. The national salute will be fired by the fourth regiment, upon
the landing of the troops.

106
Col. Yates will make a requisition upon the Commissary
General for the neeessary ammunition.
By order of Brigadier General MORRIS.
Fred'k A. Woodworth, Acting Brigade-Major.

THIRD BRIGADE, NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

BRIGADE orders.

New York, July 24, 1848.
In compliance with the above Division Order, this Brigade
will parade on Thursday next, the 27th instant, for the purpose
of receiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
The line will be formed on the Battery, at 10 o^clock a. m.,
precisely. Brigade Staff will assemble at the General's quarters, at half
past 9 o clock, a. m.

107
The resignation of Colonel Ebenezer Jessup, of the Ninth
Regiment, has been accepted, and he is honorably discharged
the service. Lieut. Col. Ferris will assume the command of said
Regiment, until further orders.
Colonel Ferris will direct the troop of horse belonging to
the Ninth Regiment, as an escort for the Brigadier General, to
report at his quarters, at No. 16 White street, at half past 9
o'clock. By order of W. HALL, Brigadier General.
Jno. S. Northrop, Aid.

FOURTH BRIGADE— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

BRIGADE orders.

New York, JulV 24, 1848.
In compliance with Division orders of this date, the Brigade
will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for the purpose of
receiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
3

108
The line will be formed on the Battery at 10 o'clock, A. M.,
precisely. By order of
Brigadier General JOHN EWEN.
 , Brigade' Major.

FIRST REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

REGIMENTAL ORDER.

New York, July 25, 1848.
In compliance with Brigade orders, this Regiment will parade
fully uniformed, armed and equipped, on Thursday next, the
27th inst.
The regimental line will form on the Battery, the right on
Whitehall street, at half past 9 o'clock, A. M.
By order of
JOHN STEWART, Col.
Isaac 0. Hunt,
Adjutant.

109
SECOND REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

REGIMENTAL order.

New York, July 25, 1848.
In pursuance of Division and Brigade orders of this date, this
Regiment will parade in full uniform, on Thursday, 27th inst.,
at 9 o'clock, A. M.
The regimental line will be formed in Mercer street, right
on Broome street. By order of C. B. SPICER,
Lieut. Col. Commanding.
W. M. Postley, Adjutant.

HEAD QUARTERS.

THIRD REGIMENT— (HUZZ ARS)— M. S. N. Y.

New York, July 25, 1848.
" General Orders, July 24, 1848," are hereby promulgated
to this command for its government.

110
In compliance with Division and Brigade orders, this Regi
ment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., in con
currence with the arrangements made with the Corporation of
the City, for the purpose of receiving the First Regiment of
New York Volunteers upon their triumphant return from the
battle fields of Mexico.
The assemblee will be on the usual ground, at St. John's
square, at half past 9 o'clock, A. M., of said day. •
By order of
S. BROOKE POSTLEY, Colonel,
Commanding Third Regiment (Huzzars) M. S. N. Y.
C. D. Stiles, Adjutant.
 Sergeant-Majdn

FOURTH REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

New York, July 25, 1848.
Order No. 44.
The foregoing Division and Brigade orders are promulgated
for the information and government of this Regiment. ,i-

Ill
In compliance therewith, this Regiment will parade as caval
ry and light artillery, on Thursday, the 27th instant. The line
will be formed in White street, (he right on Broadway, at 8
o'clock, A. M., precisely. Cavalry and drivers in dark,
artillery in light pantaloons.
Commissary General Stewart will furnish the ammunition
necessary for a national salute.
Horsemen, and all acting as drivers, will report their horses
at the Arsenal yard, at 7 o'clock, A. M.
Quarter Master Alford will report to the Commissary Gene
ral the number pieces and ditto of harness required, at least one
day prior to the parade, and will see that every piece is fur
nished with ammunition and proper equipments.
By order of CHAS. YATES, Colonel.
Jas. P. Pond, Adjutant.
J. F. Smith, Sergeant-Major.

FIFTH REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA.

REGIMENTAL ORDERS.

New York, July 24, 1848.
Pursuant to Division and Brigade orders, this Regiment will
parade fully uniformed, armed and equipped, on Thursday, the

112
27th instant, for the purpose of receiving the Regiment of
New York Volunteers on their return from Mexico.
The regimental line will be formed in Broome street, right
on Broadway, at 9 o'clock, A. M., precisely.
Company F will escort the colors to the ground.
The Colonel gives notice that he will hear appeals from
non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, from fines
incurred at the above parade, at the drill room, over Centre
market, on Monday, the 7th day of August, at 4 o'clock, P. M.
By order of
ANDREW WARNER, Col.
Samuel Coulter, Adjutant.

GOVERNOR'S GUARD— SIXTH REGIMENT.

SECOND BRIGADE— N. Y. S. MILITIA.

Order No. 4. New Yory, July 24, 1848.
In pursuance of Brigade orders, this Regiment will parade
on Thursday morning next, the 27th instant, fully uniformed,

113
armed and equipped (white pants, and without knapsacks), for
the purpose of receiving the First Regiment of New York
Volunteers, just returned from the battle-fields of Mexico.
The line will be formed in Varick street, opposite St. John's
Church, at half-past 8 o'clock, precisely.
Edwin J. Mercer is hereby appointed adjutant of this regi
ment, and will be respected accordingly.
Acting-Adjutant Dunham will be relieved from his duties as
adjutant, after the parade of the 27th instant, with the thanks
of the colonel, for the very able and efficient manner he has
discharged the duties of that office.
Delinquents for the above parade will appear on Saturday
evening, the 5th of August next, at 8 o'clock, then and there
to make their appeal, if any they have, from the fines of said
parade. By order of THOS. F. PEERS, Colonel.
W. 0. Dunham, Acting-Adjutant.

114
SEVENTH REGIMENT— N. Y. S. MILITIA.

REGIMENTAL ORDER.

No. 13. New York, July 25, 1848.
In compliance with Brigade orders, this day received, this
Regiment will parade, fully uniformed, armed and equipped
(with white pants), on Thursday next, the 27th inst., for the
purpose of receiving the N. Y. Volunteers, on their return from
Mexico. The line will form in front of the City Hall, at half-past
nine, A. M. By order of Colonel BREMNER.
J. L. Morgan, Adjutant.

EIGHTH REGIMENT— N. Y. STATE MILITIA.

HEAD QUARTERS— WASHINGTON GREYS.
Order No. 10. New York, July 25, 1848.
In compliance with Brigade orders of the 24th inst., this
Regiment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th inst., to join

115
in the reception of the First Regiment New York State Volun
teers, recently returned from their brilliant Mexican campaign.
Capt. Varian will report with his troop to the Major General,
at a quarter before 10 o'clock, A. M., at his quarters, No. 110
Chambers street, for escort duty.
The regimental line will be formed in the Park, right resting
on Beekman street, at 9 o'clock, A. M., precisely.
By order of Lieut. Col. WM. BORDEN.
Jas. Henry Dyer, Acting-Adjudant.
Jno. V. Harriott, Serg't Major.

HEAD QUARTERS.
NINTH REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE MILITIA-

NATIONAL CADETS— ORDER No. 2.

New York, July 24, 1848.
In compliance with Division and Brigade orders, for the pur
pose of receiving the First Regiment of New York Volunteers,
4

116
this Regiment will parade, fully uniformed, armed and equipped
(except knapsacks), and white pantaloons, on the regimental
parade ground, Broome street, right resting on Broadway, on
Thursday, the 27th July inst. , ,
The regimental line will be formed at 9 o'clock, A. M.
The commandant of each company is directed, at each roll
call on the day of parade, to read or cause to be read to his
company the following notice, and also to have the same
printed in his company order.
The commanding officer of this Regiment, in accordance
with the statute in such case made and provided, gives notice
that he will attend at Military Hall, No. 193 Bowery, in the
City of New York, on Thursday, the 3d day of August next,
at 8 o'clock, P. M., and will then and there hear all appeals
that may be made to him for the remission of any penalty
incurred by any non-commissioned officer or private under his
command. The resignation of Colonel Ebenezer Jessup has been ac
cepted by the Brigadier General, and by brigade orders he is
honorably discharged from the service.
By order of
B. CLINTON FERRIS,
Lieut. Col. Commanding.
J. Van Winkle, Adjutant.

117
TENTH REGIMENT— NEW YORK STATE 'MILITIA.

HESIMENTAL ORDERS.

New York, July 25, 1848.
In compliance with Division and Brigade orders of the 24th
inst., this Regiment will parade, fully uniformed and equipped,
with white pantaloons (and without knapsacks), on Thursday
next, the 27th of July inst., for the purpose of receiving the
First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
The regimental line will be formed on Hanover square, at
9 o'clock and 30 minutes, A. M., precisely.
The commander of the Regiment gives notice that he will
attend at Military Hall, No. 193 Bowery, on Wednesday, the
16th of August next, at 8 o'clock, P. M., and will then and
there hear all appeals that may be made to him, for the remis
sion of any penalty incurred by any non-rommissioned officer
or private of said companies.
The captain of each company is directed to read or cause to
be read, at roll call, the above notice to his company.
By order of
Col. WILLIAM HALSEY.
James R. Dodge Acting- Adjutant.

118
WASHINGTON GUARD.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT— N. Y. STATE MILITIA.

ORDERS No. 13.

Head Quarters, City of New York,
July 25, 1848.
In compliance with the preceding Division and Brigade or
ders, this Regiment will parade in full uniform, on Thursday, the
27th instant.
The line will be formed at 9 o'clock, A. M., in Broome
street, right on Crosby street.
By order of
Col. ROBERT C. MORRIS.
John P. Prall, Adjutant.

HEAD QUARTERS— 12th REGIMENT— N. Y. S. M.

REGIMENTAL ORDER— No. i.

New York, July 25, 1848.
In pursuance of the foregoing Division and Brigade orders,
this Regiment will parade on Thursday next, the 27th instant.
i

119
The regimental line will be formed in Chambers street, right
on Broadway, at 9 o'clock, A. M.
The Court of Appeals, for the above parade, will be held at
the Branch Hotel, No. 36 Bowery, on Friday, August 4th, at
8 o'clock, P. M. By order of H. G. STEBBINS, Col.
John M. Keeler, Adjutant.

A vacancy having occurred in the Committee appointed on
the part of the Board of Aldermen, in consequence of the la
mented decease of the late Alderman, Robert Swartwout, Al
derman Crolius was appointed by the Committee to fill the
same. The arrangements being now fully completed, and the vari
ous sub-Committees having reported,
Messrs. De,Forest, Schultz and Miller were" appointed a sub-
Committee to prepare a Programme of Arrangements for the
proposed reception.
The sub-Committee subsequently reported the following,
which was adopted and published under the direction of the
Joint Committee :

120
i

PROGRAMME OF ARRANGEMENTS
FOR THE
RECEPTION
OF THE
FIRST REGIMEIT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
QN THEIR RETURN FROM MEXICO,
BY THE
Municipal Authorities of the City of lew York,
OBBEH THE DIRECTION OF THE JOINT SPECIAL COMMITTEE
APPOINTED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

The Common Council will, at 8 o'clock, on Thursday morn
ing, 27th instant, proceed in the steamboat Columbia, Captain
Fuller, (which has been generously tendered fat the occasion,
by the proprietors of the People's Line,) to Fort Hamilton,
where they will receive on board the First Regiment of New
York Volunteers, and return with them to the City, landing at
Castle Garden at about ten o'clock^
On the approach of the steamboat to the Battery, and during
the landing of the Volunteers, a salute will be fired therefrom,

121
under the direction of Brigadier General Morris. They will
then proceed -into the Garden, where the Mayor will receive
and welcome them to the City.
The ceremonies of reception being concluded, the Volun
teers will be received by the First Division New York State
Militia, under the command of Major General Sandford, formed
in line on the Battery, with the highest military honors.
Immediately thereafter the line of military will break into
column, and the procession will march in the following order :

% .first EDrntsion— Ntm Uork State JHilttta.
UNDER command of
MAJOR GENERAL SANDFORD,
CONSISTING OF
THE FIRST BHI«ABE,
COMMANDED BY
BRIGADIER GENERAL STORMS,
composed of the following regiments, viz :
First — Horse Artillery  Col. Stewart.
Second — Infantry  Col. Spicer.
Third — Cavalry  Col. Postley.

122
THE SECOND BRIGADE,
COMMANDED BY
BRIGADIER GENERAL MORRIS,
composed of the following regiments, viz:
Fourth — Light Artillery  Col. Yates.
Fifth — Infantry  Col. Warner.
Sixth — Infantry  Col. Peers.
THE THIRD BRIGADE,
COMMANDED BY
BRIGADIER GENERAL HALL.
composed of the following regiments, viz :
Seventh — Infantry  Col. Bremner.
Eighth — Infantry  Col. Borden.
Ninth — Infantry  Col. Ferris.
THE FOURTH BRIGADE,
COMMANDED by
BRIGADIER GENERAL EWEN.
composed of the following regiments, viz :
Tenth — Infantry  Col. HalsbY.
Eleventh — Infantry  tbt. Morris.
Twelfth— Infantry  Col. St ebsins.

123
BAND.

®l)e first ftcgiment of INm Dork tloluntMrs,
COMMANDED BY
COL. WARD B. BURNETT,
WITH THE FOLLOWING FIELD AND STAFF:
Lieutenant Col. James C. Burnham,
Major Garret H. Dyckman,
Adjutant James S. McCabe,
Commissary J. F. Hutton,
Quarter-Master Israel Miller,
Surgeon Mina B. Halstead,
Sergeant-Major Patrick O. Gorman,
Quarter-Master Sergeant E. McCutcheon.
AND CONSISTING OF THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES, VIZ;
COMPANY A.
CAPT. WILLIAM FORRY.
COMPANY B.
CAPT. ALFRED W. TAYLOR.
COMPANY C.
GAPT. GEORGE B. HALL.
COMPANY D.
CAPT. JAY p. TAYLOR.
5

124

THE COLORS OF THE REGIMENT,
In charge of several officers who were promoted for their
gallantry in bearing the same at the battles of
Churubusco and Chapultepec.
COMPANY E.
CAPT. ROBERT A. CARTER.
COMPANY F.
CAPT. SAMUEL S. GALLAGHER.
COMPANY G.
CAPT. DANIEL E. HUNGERFORD.
COMPANY H.
CAPT. ADDISON FARNSWORTH.
I
COMPANY I.
CAPT. MORTON FAIRCHILD.
COMPANY K.
CAPT. CHARLES H. INNES.
CHATHAM GUARD.
Military companies out of the City, and Volunteer Fire com
panies that wish to participate in the ceremonies of the recep
tion, will be assigned a place therein, in the order in which
they shall report themselves.
The procession thus formed, will then proceed up Broadway
to Park row, through Park row to Chatham street ; up Chat
ham street to East Broadway; up East Broadway to Grand

125
street ; through Grand street to Broadway ; down Broadway to
Chambers street ; through Chambers street to Greenwich
street ; down Greenwich street to the Battery.
When the head of the column arrives at the Battery, the
military will form into line, and the Volunteers will pass in
front of the line into the Garden.
After the return of the Volunteers to the Garden, they will
be drawn up therein in close columns, when the President of
the Board of Aldermen, Morris Franklin, Esq., will present them
with the medals ordered by the Common Council, (and which
have been prepared under the direction of the Joint Medal
Committee, appointed for that purpose) for their bravery and
gallantry evinced in Mexico, especially in the battles of Chu
rubusco and Chapultepec, in which they were so conspicuously
engaged. The presentation of the medals being concluded, the stan
dard presented to thf Regiment by the Corporation of the City
of New York, immediately preceding their departure for Mexico,
on which is emblazoned the coat-of-arms of the City, and
which after being triumphantly borne in the various battles in
which the Regiment was engaged, was the first to float from
the walls of Chapultepec, will be delivered by Col. Burnett,
Commander of the Regiment, to his Honor the Mayor, who will
receive the same, as well as the other colors of the Regiment,
in behalf of the City.
The ceremonies of the day being thus concluded, the Volun
teers will then proceed again on board of the steamboat, and
return to Fort Hamilton in company with the Common Council.

126
The proprietors of public buildings, and the masters and
owners of vessels in port, are respectfully requested to display
their flags during the day.
The owners and drivers of all public and licensed carriages
and vehicles are directed to withdraw them from the streets
through which the procession is to pass ; and the owners of
private vehicles are requested to comply with the same.
The Chief of Police is charged with the enforcement of the
above order.
By order of the Committee of Arrangements,
WASHINGTON SMITH,
T. R. DE FOREST,
JAMES S. LIBBY,
CLARKSON CROLIUS,
NIEL GRAY,
MORRIS FRANKLIN, President.
Committee on the part of the Board of Aldermen.
TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD,
A. H. SCHULTZ,
ROBERT P. GETTY,
JEDEDIAH MILLER,
JOSEPH JAMISON,
WILSON SMALL, President.
Committee on the part of the Board of Assistant Aldermen.

127

THE DAY
Having arrived, in accordance with the arrangements, most of
the members of the Common Council, accompanied by several
officers attached to the military of this City, and also some
belonging to the Regiment, as well as several members of the
press, assembled on board of the steamboat Columbia, at the
foot of Beach street, and within a few minutes after 8 o'clock,
the hour fixed for the departure, were on their way to the Fort.
After stopping a short time at Governor's Island, for the
purpose of taking on board the United States Band, stationed
there, the boat proceeded on her way and arrived at Fort
Hamilton at about 9 o'clock.
Immediately thereafter, a procession was formed in the fol
lowing order :
BAND.
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
OFFICERS BELONGING TO THE MILITARY OF THE CITY, ALSO OF
THE REGIMENT ON BOARD.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS.
Which proceeded to the brow of the hill or bluff, where it
was received by the Regiment, drawn up in line, with arms
presented.

128
After a review, and the execution of several military mance-
uvers which were performed with great precision, the Regiment
broke into column, and being preceded by the band, and ac
companied by the members of the Common Council and others,
thence marched to the boat, and all being on board, were soon
on their way to the City.
A substantial breakfast, under the direction of the sub-
Committee appointed for that purpose, had been prepared on
hoard of the boat, to which the Volunteers were invited soon
after the departure from Fort Hamilton.
The boat soon neared the City, and swept past the Battery
amid the discharge of cannon, and the cheering of the vast
multitude of citizen soldiery and others, assembled there to
greet the return of these men after their participation in some
of the most brilliant triumphs of American valor.
After continuing a short distance up the North river, she
turned and proceeded towards the Garden pier, where she
arrived about half-past 10 o'clock, A. M.
The members of the Common Gouncil and others having
proceeded from the boat into the Castle, the Volunteers were
then landed, under a national salute, fired by the Fourth Light
Artillery, Col. Yates, under the direction of Brigadier General
Morris, and marched into the Garden, preceded by the band
from Governor's Island playing " Home, Sweet Home," where
they were received by the immense gathering of citizens, with
deafening and long continued cheering.

129
The Regiment was then brought into close column immedi
ately in front of the stage, on which were assembled his Honor
the Mayor of the City, the Joint Committee of Arrangements,
and the remaining members of the Common Council, wearing
rosettes and badges commemorative and explanatory of the
occasion. The word, " order arms" being obeyed with precision, the
colors were brought in front, and the officers ordered in ad
vance of their companies.
When Alderman Franklin introduced to the officers and
men of the Regiment, his Honor Mayor Havemeyer.
The Mayor thereupon made the following impressive and
eloquent
ADDRESS TO THE REGIMENT:
Fellow-Citizens :
In the name of the municipal authorities, and in
behalf of the people whom they represent, I bid you a cordial
welcome to the City. We receive you, returning to your
homes, your friends and your kindred, from the scenes of your
toils and sacrifices, and of your heroic achievements, with proud
satisfaction. But little more than a year and a-half ago, in obedienee to
the call of our common country, you left us, and within that
period have shared all the perils and all the honors of the cam
paign in Mexico, from its commencement at Vera Cruz, until
its close at the National Palace at the Capital.

130
We have watched you through all this rapid and brilliant
career, with solicitude, and we may add, with satisfaction. We
have seen you safely landing upon a hostile shore, in the
face of an enemy protected by a castle hitherto considered in
vincible; an act, under attendant circumstances, exhibiting in
your commander a remarkable example of military skill, and in
you, our citizen soldiers, the order and discipline of veterans
We have followed you after the fall of the Castle of San
Juan d'Ulloa, marching towards the enemy's Capital, under
the immediate command of the gallant Shields ; sharing in the
brilliant victory on the heights of Cerro Gordo, and foremost in
the pursuit of the retreating foe. At Contreras, holding suc
cessfully the less conspicuous, but important position assigned
to you. At, Churubusco, bearing a conspicuous part in that
desperate and fatal conflict, and heading the first charge, with
the loss of large numbers of your comrades.
We have seen you crowning your honors by your achieve
ments in the final battle before the walls of Mexico ; foremost
in struggling up the steep ascents of Chapultepec, to storm the
last strong hold of the foe, and throwing to the breeze from his
proud Castle, first of all, the American flags which you received
from the authorities of our City, and an association of our citi
zens, and which, with their staffs broken and shattered, and
folds torn, you now bring back covered with glory, borne and
commanded by the same brave men who carried them trium
phantly through the storms of battle, from the heights of Cerro
Gordo to the Halls of the Montezumas.
We have seen your ranks diminished by the death and dis
ease of many of your brave comrades. We have lamented with

131
you the fall of Chandler, at Churubusco ; Baxter, Pearson and
Van Olinda, at Chapultepec ; of Barclay and Gallagher, and
many others, if less conspicuous, not less brave, or less worthy.
You return to us little more than one third of your original
number. More than as many as now compose your gallant
corps have perished in battle, or by disease, and most of the
others have preceded you, disabled by wounds or by sick
ness. The small number of you who have survived the chances
of the battle field, and the still greater perils of the climate,
and the condition in which you return; the wounds of some ; the
disabled and wasted forms of others ; those torn banners, too,
tell more strongly than words, the desperate nature of the ser
vice in which you have been engaged. None but you can fully
know the hardships you have endured — none but you can so
well appreciate the blessings of the peace which has crowned
your victories.
The events of the war, now happily past, in which you have
bprne so conspicuous a part, have elevated the character of our
country for military capacity and resources, by showing in your
example, the readiness with which its citizens assume and ful
fill, successfully, all the responsibilities of disciplined soldiers.
In this respect, not less than in the renown of our arms, have
your sufferings and sacrifices conferred great and lasting bene
fits upon the country, and they will confer still greater, if, by
your experience, they shall teach us properly to estimate the
blessings of peace.
In returning to the associations of civil life, you will carry
with you the respect and favor of the communities of which you
are members, and your ambition need aim no higher than to
6

132
preserve in the walks of civil life the sentiments which your
bravery in the field has inspired.
Once more, as the organ of the public authorities, I tender to
you a most cordial welcome, — a welcome which I am sure our
citizens are most anxiously waiting to repeat for themselves.

A burst of applause, repeated and continued for some time,
frbm those of our citizens assembled within the Castle, eviden
ced their approval of the welcome extended by his Honor the
Mayor, in behalf of the City, to the brave men composing the
Regiment. After the same had subsided,
COLONEL BURNETT replied to the address as follows :
Sir: We are deeply and gratefully impressed with the evidence of
kindness and approbation, evinced by the glorious and most grat
ifying reception which the City of N. York has this day given to
us. The flattering manner in which you have been pleased to al
lude to the conduct of the Regiment, awakens the most agreea
ble emotions, and yields the highest degree of satisfaction ; and
we shall ever feel grateful to our fellow citizens for this most
cordial welcome.
To know that the conduct of the Regiment, throughout the
long and arduous campaign just closed, has secured the appro
bation of the people of the great State, which it had the honor

133
to represent, affords us no ordinary gratification. It is the hope of
securing it that cheers the soldier in the performance of the
most difficult duty, and when attained, constitutes his highest
reward. Our joy on this occasion, however, is diminished by the sad
reflection, that many of our companions who left home with us a
brief period since, with high hopes, and an honorable ambition
to serve their country, are not now with us to participate in
your generous reception, and to share with us your distinguished
honors. Unfortunately, many have yielded up their lives in
patriotic devotion to their country, and all that is left is the
memory of their gallant deeds.
Of the conduct of the Regiment, it does not become us to
speak. Its acts are now before the country, and have become
a part of its history ; and if they have been such as to secure
the approbation of the State, which sent us to the field, and of
the Union, our highest ambition will have been attained. We
can only say that we endeavored to do our duty, and to sustain
as far as it was in our power, the honor of the country and of the
Empire State. How far we have succeeded, we leave to others
to determine, satisfied that our countrymen will do us justice.
As this will be the last occasion on which we shall thus meet,
I can not omit the opportunity of presenting to you, the officers
and men, and bearing testimony to their devotion to the State,
and of commending them to the kind consideration and.gratitude
of the people.
In conclusion, allow me to return our sincere thanks for your
cordial welcome, and to assure you, and the citizens of New

134
York, that this occasion will long be remembered, and reverted,
to as a proud event.

Col. Burnett was repeatedly cheered by those present during
the delivery of the reply, as well as at its conclusion.
The Regiment then reformed, and being preceded by his Hon
or the Mayor, and the members of the Common Council,
marched to the
BATTERY,
and thence along the line of military, under command of Major
General Sandford.
Its reception here was beyond description. The enthusi
asm of the soldiery, as this brave but shattered regiment passed
along their lines, overcame the restraint of military discipline,
and gave vent in loud and long continued cheering, to their ad
miration of its gallantry upon the bloody but victorious fields of
Mexico, The military soon afterwards broke into column, and took
up their line of march as an escort to the Volunteers, the van
of the PROCESSION
being led by the " Tiger Guards," of Brooklyn, and the rear
brought up by the " Chatham Guards," of this City.

135
The procession then moved up Broadway to Park row ;
through Park row and Chatham street to East Broadway ; up
East Broadway to Grand street ; through Grand street to
Broadway ; down Broadway to Chambers street ; through
Chambers to Greenwich street, thence down Greenwich street
to the Battery, as laid down in the Programme of Arrangements
for the day.
When the head of the procession arrived at the Battery, it
halted, the military formed into line,with arms presented, and the
Volunteers, under the immediate escort of the " City Guard,"
marched past them into the Battery, and from thence again in
to the interior of Castle Garden.
The reception that these gallant and patriotic men received
as they marched through the various streets, was all that the
most sanguine heart of them could have desired. Everywhere,
from their entrance into Broadway from the Battery, until their
return to the Garden, the liveliest and most enthusiastic demon
strations of joy at their return, and of admiration of their bra
very, was exhibited on the part of the thousands of inhabitants
and strangers that densely crowded the streets, filled the win
dows and balconies, and lined the tops of the houses and public
buildings along the route of the procession.
After the Volunteers had returned to
CASTLE GARDEN,
they formed into close column in front of the stage, which
was occupied by his Honor the Mayor, the Committee of Ar
rangements and the remaining members of the Common Council,

136
together with Major General Sandford and his staff, and several
other distinguished officers connected with the military of the
City, as well as a number of eminent citizens and strangers. The
other parts of the building were densely crowded by the milita
ry and other citizens.
The presentation of the
COLORS
of the Regiment to the City, being the next order of Arrange
ment, the National and Regimental ones, together with two
small ones, used as guide colors, were brought in advance,
borne by the same officers, who had carried them so gallantly
in Mexico, and were presented in behalf of the Regiment, by
COLONEL BURNETT,
Who, on the occasion, delivered the following address :
In the month of' January, 1847, the New York Regiment,
numbering about eight hundred men, left this City, under my
command, lo serve during the war with Mexico.
Before our departure, the Corporation of the City of New
York, gave us a Stand of Colors, and a society of patriotic citi
zens, the Texas and Oregon Association, a National flag.
These were presented to the Regiment formally, at the Island of
Lobos, in Mexico, where a solemn oath was taken by every of
ficer and soldier, that no enemy should capture them while life
was spared to defend them.

137
The close of the war, and the disbanding of the Regiment,
have induced us to request the authorities of the City to take
into their charge those sacred emblems of our State and Nation, .
that they may be preserved as the eloquent, though silent relics
of the shattered remnants of the Regiment that pledged .and
gave, in defending them, their heart's blood and their lives.
The devotion and reverence of a soldier for his colors can
scarcely be realized by one who has not fought under them in
a foreign land. The stars and stripes reminded us of our duty
to the Union, and the arms of the City and State, with the mot
to " Excejsior," impelled us to emulate the gallant deeds of the
army, who had already covered themselves with imperishable
glory. These colors were the companions of the Regiment at Vera
Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec, the
Garde de Bolin, and upon the Grand Plaza of the City of
Mexico. From the time of their reception at Lobos Island to
this day, they have been revered and honored as the life and
soul of that " morale" which gives unity and power to a regi
ment in the hour of battle. They were ever in the advance in
the hands of those who bear them now, and always our beacon
light to victory. The wounded and the dying would look to
them in their last moments, and smile to see them planted in
triumph upon the works of the enemy, amidst the cheers of the
living. Our oath to preserve them has been fulfilled. They are
now consigned to your charge — peace is declared, and may
God, in his infinite mercy, grant it may be a lasting one with
all the world. But. should our country again require our ser-

138
vices, she will find us ever ready to rally under her banners,
and to serve her with never-dying zeal and devotion..
The Mayor replied as follows :
On behalf of the municipal authorities, I receive with
pride and gratification these flags, one of which was their gift ;
the other, that of an association of our citizens, and which you
now return to the City.
When they were presented to you, you promised that they
should never be surrendered to an enemy or disgraced, and the
noble manner in which that pledge has been redeemed, has
proved you worthy of the confidence which was reposed in
your gallantry and patriotism.
When you first received them, although their lustre was
untarnished, they had but little value, except that of their
beautiful texture : they come back to us dimmed with the
smoke and dust of battle, with their staffs shattered and their
folds rent ; but consecrated by your toils and sufferings to im
perishable renown.
They will be placed in the archives of our City, as a me
mento to our citizens of your services to your country, and they
will transmit the story of your sacrifices and achievments to
future generations.

The beautiful blue-silken flag presented to the Regiment
in the City of Mexico, by Major General Scott, and on which the
United States coat-of-arms and the name of the Regiment are
richly embroidered, was next presented by

139
Lieutenant Colonel James C. Burnham, as follows :
Gentlemen :
It gives me great pleasure to present to you the
flag presented to the Regiment, by General Scott, after the bat
tle at the City of Mexico. It was made by the hands of the
ladies of Mexico, and now, with the battered standard of the
Regiment, we present it to you."
The Mayor in response said :
I accept, likewise, with great satisfaction, this magnificent
banner, a beautiful specimen of the handiwork of Mexican
ladies, and presented to you by General Scott, as a testimonial
of his approbation of your gallant conduct, to be placed side
by side with the others which I have received.
Representing the governments of the Union and the State,
and associated as they will hereafter be, may they be emblem
atical of the harmony and fraternity which should ever charac
terize the relations of the State with the Union, and of the
Union with the other Republics of the American continent.

THE COLORS AND FLAG
having been taken charge of by the Committee, were subse
quently conveyed by a portion of them, under the escort of the
" City Guard," to the City Hall.

140
After the conclusion of the ceremonies of the presentation
and reception of the Colors and Flag of the Regiment, the
MEDALS,
ordered by the Common Council and prepared under the direc
tion of the Joint Committee appointed for that purpose, were
then presented to the officers and men of the Regiment by
Morris Franklin, Esq., President of the Board of Aldermen.

The following letter received by the Committee from
MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT,
in reply to the invitation dispatched to him to participate
in the ceremonies of the reception, was afterwards read by
Alderman Franklin : Rockaway, July 26, 1848.
Gentlemen :
I have, at this moment, the honor to receive (by a
special messenger) your note of yesterday, inviting me on the
part of the Common Council, to be present to-morrow, at the
reception of the First Regiment of New York Volunteers.
Under this note and other circumstances, it would be as
much a duty as a pleasure to comply with the flattering invi
tation, because it would be in my power, within the limits of
truth, to say much of that gallant and patriotic corps, which,

141
perhaps, might not be said with equal propriety by another
than their late Chief Commander, on the fields which they
have done so much to render glorious ; but I returned home
very low in health, and have only within a few days been
flattered with a return of strength, and I am certain that the
exertion ;uid excitement consequent on a meeting with the
Common Council and my late brothers-in-arms, would throw
me back in my recovery for many months, if not forever.
In haste, I have the honor to remain,
With the highest respect,
Your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Messrs. Washington Smith,
and others, Committee, &c.

The Volunteers exhibited the liveliest interest during the
reading of this letter from their beloved and distinguished late
Chief Commander; and their enthusiastic and soul-stirring
cheering at the mention of his name, showed the depth of their
affection and veneration for him who had led them on from
victory to victory, from Vera Cruz to the ancient capitol of the
Montezumas. The Regiment then reformed, and in company with the Com
mittee of Arrangement, members of the Common Council, and
several distinguished military officers and citizens, embarked at
about 6 o'clock, P. M., on board of the " Columbia," they lad
ing at the Castle pier, to •
RETURN TO FORT HAMILTON.

142
An excellent lunch had been prepared for them on board of
the boat, of which they partook during the trip.
Arrived at Fort Hamilton, the Volunteers went on shore,
where they formed, and thence marched, under the escort of
the members of the Common Council, Major General Sandford
and staff, and several other distinguished military officers and
citizens who accompanied them in the boat, to their camp,
where leave was taken of them.
The Common Council and others, then returned to the boat,
and were soon on their way to the City, where they arrived,
and were landed at the foot of Beach street, at about 8 o'clock,
A.M.

Your Committee have thus reported a history of their pro
ceedings, and of the ceremonies on the occasion of the recep
tion of the brave and patriotic officers and men composing the
gallant but shattered First Regiment of New York Volunteers,
on their return from Mexico.
The event was one not soon to be forgotten. From the time
of the landing of the Volunteers at Castle Garden pier, until
their departure therefrom on their return to their camp, at Fort
Hamilton, the warmest and most enthusiastic demonstrations of
rejoicing met them at every point at which they made their ap
pearance — in the Garden, on the occasion of their reception,
there by the municipal authorities — on the Battery by the mili
tary, as they passed along their lines — on the route of the proces-

143
sion by the thousands of all ages, sexes and conditions, that lined
the streets and doorways, and filled the windows, balconies and
house-tops ; — again, at the Garden, on the occasion of the pre
sentation to the City of the Colors which they had sustained
with such gallantry — on the delivery to them of the Medals,
ordered by the Common Council — and on their departure to
return to their camp at Fort Hamilton.
It was a welcome, sincere and cordial — a reception brilliant
and triumphant, which the citizens of New York, military,
civic and others, this day extended and accorded to the brave
men who had participated in the privations and sufferings,
and shared in the glories and triumphs of that brilliant cam
paign, which has shed such lustre and cast such renown upon
the American arms. — At the landing and at the bombardment
of Vera Cruz — the victory of Cerro Gordo — in the capture at
Contreras — the route at Churubusco — the storming of Chapul
tepec — at the Garde de Bolin — who had stood upon the Grand
Plaza of the City of Mexico, and watched how proudly floated
the stars and stripes of their beloved country from its ancient
halls and palaces — placed there by the victories of the army of
which they formed so distinguished a part.
Companies E, Captain Robert A. Carter, and H, Captain A.
Farnsworth, having been discharged and mustered out of ser
vice previous to the day of the reception, did not participate
in its ceremonies.
Your Committee would take the opportunity of tendering
their thanks to Major General Sandford, Brigadier Generals
Storms, Morris, Hall and Ewen, and to the military in general,
for the manner in which they seconded the arrangements of the
Committee.

144
To the proprietors of the People's Line of steamboats, for
their kind and generous tender of the use of the " Columbia,"
for the purposes of the Committee on the day of the reception.
To Captain Wm. A. Fuller, commander of the " Columbia,"
for his gentlemanly deportment and unremitting attention to the
Common Council and their guests.
To Messrs. French & Heiser, lessees of Castle Garden, for
the generous use of the Garden on the occasion.
To George W. Matsell, Esquire, Chief of Police, for his
excellent order of Police arrangements, and to his aids, and the
Police generally, for the efficient manner in which the same
were carried out.
And to all others who in any way aided the Committee in
carrying out their arrangements.
The preamble and resolutions under which the Committee
acted, referred to a celebration at, the same time, of the restora
tion of the blessings of peace between our own and the sister
republic of Mexico.
This was happily combined in the ceremonies of the occasion
of the welcome and reception of the Volunteers, as while our
citizens exhibited their demonstrations, warm and enthusiastic,
of joy at their return and of admiration of their bravery, they,
at the same time rejoiced in the return of the blessings of peace,
which the gallant and heroic conduct of the American army, and
of which the Regiment formed so distinguished a portion, was
mainly instrumental in procuring.

145
Your Committee also rejoice with their fellow-citizens
in the return of those brave officers and men from the scenes
of their toils and sufferings, and of their glories and triumphs,
to their country and their homes, as well as in the restoration
of the blessings of peace between our own and the Mexican
nation. May it never be broken. But if it should be, either
with her or with any other nation or people, the gallant con
duct of the officers and men of the First Regiment of New York
Volunteers upon the fields of Mexico — which we have this day
so much honored — fully warrant us in the assurance that the sons
of New York if called upon again, will be ever ready to fight
the battles of their country, whether on a foreign soil, or on
their own repelling a foreign foe, and that where " the fight is
thickest, and the fire is hottest," there will they be found cover
ing both themselves and their country, as at Churubusco and
Chapultepec, with imperishable glory.
WASHINGTON SMITH,
T. R. DE FOREST,
JAMES S. LIBBY,
CLARKSON CROLIUS,
NIEL GRAY,
MORRIS FRANKLIN, President.
Committee on the part of the Board of Aldermen.
TIMOTHY R. HIBBARD,
A. H. SCHULTZ, ,
ROBERT P. GETTY,
JEDEDIAH MILLER,
JOSEPH JAMISON,
WILSON SMALL, President.
Committee on the part of the Board of Assistant Aldermen.

O0JX3W Tit
i

0: