Honors to the Brave [pp. 316-320]

31 elnr to terae[AR,
HONORS TO THE BRAVE.
Celebration of the 22nd Febrtary, 1841, in Richmond, Va.
Writhl the exception of the welcome given to the
good La Fayette, it is probable that the Metropolis
of Virginia was never graced with a more imposing assemblage, nor the scene of more interesting ceremonies than occurred on the 22nd February, 1841, the birthday of the Father of his
Country. The State of Virginia, by a series of
Legislative Resolves, adopted at various times,
had voted swords with suitable devices, to some
of her native sons, who had distinguished themselves in the last war with England; and the
Governor, with commendable taste and judgment,
selected the 22nd February, as the day of presentation. As it happened, General HARRIsON, the
President elect of the United States, and JOHN
TvYLER, the Vice-President elect, were both present
on the occasion. The military of the city, in their
best and most brilliant array, added splendor to the
spectacle; and the Metropolitan fair, by their presence and their charms, were not backward in
giving life and animation to the scene. In describing this ceremony, it appears to us to be peculiarly proper, not only to present the names of
the gallant men who received the honors of the
Commonwealth for their meritorious services, but
to dwell somewhat in detail upon the exploits which
have won for them the enduring approbation of
their country. A new generation has sprung up
since the last contest with our ancient and powerful foe; and it may not be amiss to recall to the
minds of our youth, some of those heroic deeds
which held in check, if they did not entirely humble, the lofty pretensions of British pride.
It is not our purpose, however, either to engender or prolong national animosities. So far from
it, we sincerely desire a long continuance of peace
and amity with that great country, from which
we are ourselves descended, and to which we
owe so much that is valuable in comparison with
any other portion of the civilized globe.
The names of the officers who were present in
person on the occasion referred to, were Colonel,
now Adjutant-General, ROGER JONES; his brother,
Commodore THOMAS AP CATESBY JONEs, of the
United States Navy; and Captain ITUGH NELSON
PAGE, of the same service. The other gentlemen
who were represented by proxies, were Captain
E. A. F. VALETTE; Lieutenant, now Captain,
CHARLES W. MORGAN, of the United States Navy;
Major THOMAS M. NELSON, of the Army; and
Colonel ARcHIBALD HENDERSON, of the Marine
Corps. Captain R. H. BELL, deceased, late of
the United States Army, was represented by John
M. Gregory, a member of the Legislature, in behalf of his widow and orphan son; and Mr. C. H.
Armistead, the son of Colonel GEORGE ARMISTEAD,
the hero of Fort McHenry, was present in person,
and received the sword voted by the Legislature
to his distinguished father. We do not design,
however, to describe particularly the beautiful and
costly specimens of American workmanship, dis tributed on this occasion by the Chief Magistrate
of the Commonwealth, to the several recipients.
Suffice it to say, they were executed with elegance
and skill, under the special superintendance of
Captain, now Pay-MAaster-General TOwSON-so
famed in the annals of the last war, and who graced
the ceremonies of the day by his presence.
The sword presented to General Roger Jones
by a resolution of the General Assembly of the
15th February, 1834, was in consideration of his
"gallantry and good conduct in the battles of Chip pewa, Niagara and Fort Erie, and of his patri otic services generally during the late war with
Great Britain." There are few of the present
day, who were not actors in the war of 1812, or
who have not studied closely the military annals
of the country, who are aware of the great influ ence and effect which the battles of Chippewa,
Niagara and Fort Erie had upon the American
cause. The disastrous campaigns of 1812 and
1813-the defection of Hull, and the extraordinary
imbecility displayed by other commanders who had
been supposed to possess great military knowledge
and experience, produced both astonishment and
gloom upon the public mind. Victorious in Eu rope, England was enabled to throw upon our
shores her disciplined legions, commanded by vete ran officers; and although the spirit of resistance
was unsubdued, it was evident that a feeling of
despondency pervaded the country. Fortunately
some gallant spirits, such as Brown, Scott, Gaines,
Ripley and others, were in training for the great
crisis, which was to test the capacity of American
soldiers to meet the enemy in open field; a crisis
which had seldom occurred in the war of 1812,
until the memorable battle on the plains of Chip pewa. In this sanguinary conflict, which occur red about two nmiles and a half above the falls of
Niagara, on the 5th of July, 1814, the British
Army, under General Rial, was completely defeated,
with the loss of five hundred and eleven, including
one hundred and fifteen prisoners; whilst the Ame rican loss in killed and wounded was only three
hundred and twenty eight. General Brown in his
official report to the Secretary of War, says: "Jus tice forbids that I should omit to name my own
family. They yield to none in honorable zeal, in telligence and attention to duty. Colonel Gardner,
l Major Jones, and my aids Captains Austin and
Spencer, have been as active and as much devoted
to the cause as any officers of the Army. Their
conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments;
* of Gardner and Jonies I shall have occasion again
to speak to you." But if the victory at Chippe
-Honors to the Brave.
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