Washington telegraph., 1847-04-21
BATTLE OF BuENA VISTA.

lhe hoWs OF lhls great battlo anu victory
coming well authenticated. has put an end
To tho torluring suspense in which the pub.
lie mind was so long held with regard to
Gen. Taylor and his gallant men, and has
turned anxiety and doub, into congralula.
tlon and triumph.
The particulars of the battle of Bnena
Vista will no doubt exhibit, when they are
iully known, not only conflict of terrible
intensity, but one, also in which mastery
generlIshlp went hand in hand with the
most determined bravery. That an army
OF five thousand men should fight one of
nearly lour times its force, in open field,
the former being composed mainly ofyolun.
teefs who had never faced an enemy before
is oil itself an evidence OF daring not oflen
witnessed; tha, ii should fight. and not be
out ilanked by such superiority of numbers,
nor forced 10 retreat, is more unusual
thing still in the history OF wars; but that
il should fight, and moi only hold It's own,
but cut lis adversary TO pieces. and gain n
decisive victory, is IN event which the lac.
lieians of European armies may eoniem.
plate with wonder, while we, hero at home,
take pride in the men and in the eomman.
der by whom the thing was done.
Al honor 10 the heroic chief, the indom
table man, whom the Genius of Victory
has inspired to achieve such deeds Well
has he ymdealed The confidence OF the pub
lie in his capacity aud courage-lhis Ro.
man in dfmness and magnanimily, this
Spartan in simplicity Every step that he
lakeslo higher aud still higher ground
in the general regard, tends to develop in
fuller and more clear proportions the out
lines of massive character, substantial
in lis worth aud greatness. and challenging
alike admiration aud confidence. This is
the giant whom the Lillipulians have been
striving 10 entangle aud embarrass-lhc
Lilliputlans a, Washington, who measure
greatness according 10 the court standard
taking Mr.. Polk for the model, aud seek
10 cut down all higher natures TO the rc
eagnized level.
But the people will take care of their
uWn. The most humble, who make no
pzeiensions 10 greatness or heroism. have
yei that faculty which elesaies the hum
bet aud ennblrs humanily-ihc faculty OF
appIecialing with all the certainty Of in.
siinel aud all the oflor a; sympathy. that
which /, great aud heroic. Lot Us look
inr momenl at contrast which We find
presented hy New York papet--the Ga.
xslie. "'lhrow patty considerations aside
sa4s iha journal, and how many Ameri.
cans, Tor instance, nj the present momen',
would be willing lhai Mr. Polk should rep
resent the character aud dignity Of the
American proplel How few Americans
are there on the other side. who would
not point proudly to Taylor and say: III
yon want 10 know wha, wa are, look there
At that mani 1'hal's old Rough ani Ready,
as we call him. That man represents me
aud my country. Get the dimensions d
Old Zack, aud you'll understand the style
Of man we Americans are willing should
pass as representative Of American char
aclcr.
The details ui the battle Of Bucna Vista
are awaited with that sort Of lively Interest
which brlongsto every incidcn, connected
with great event. perhap. they will mol
reach Us until the news of another battle
accompanies them. For. Santa Anna
as soon As he Is reinforced by hs reserve
under Gen. Nclasqnez, must ,ry the issue
nf another battle. He will hc obliged 10
fight, or accept the alternative Of a retreat
over the desert towards San Luis, with
dispirilej troops in hall starving condition,
lie muN tight for subsistence. having ne
source. Of supply, but trusting everything
10 recess which may give him possession
u' uu stores.
To ;hc brave mrn who have fallen on
the ird Of victory and glory. the tribute oI
their couulry's grirfand admiration will be
freely poured forth. The Republic will
layr her dead sous more than many OF hcl
living onrs, The pruluunlcsl sympathy Is
every where lcll for the loss which tbs
event has brought upon the venerable
Statesman ni the West, who, having de-
voted his own liic TO thr service Of his eoun
lp, completes the measure Of his sacrifice
by yielding Up his sou. Yet the brave al
way, sleep we'll; in death they lie grace
iilly. The rnd common To ALL which nont
can csoapc-where can the firm spirit
meet It better than On tho field Of battle
aud OF victory, under the banner ol his cOun
lyl We may greve for tho survivors whC
drp'urr the loss Of beloved oncs-nlt lot
The fallen who need not our sympathy.
Bhimorc Iberc m.
Tng BuENA NisrA "ArrAm. ."-WhcI