Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-04-08

BATTLE OF BuENA VISTA.

The news ofthis great battle and victory,
coming well authenticated, has put an end 10
the torturing suspense in which the public
mind was so long held with regard 10 Gen.
TAYLOR and his gallant men, and has turned
anxiety and doubt into congratuation and
triumph.
The particulars Of the Battle of Buena Wis
IA will no doubt exhibit, when they are fully
known, not only a conflict OF terrible intensity,
but one, also, in which mastery generalship
went hand in hand with the most determined
bravery. That an army OF FIVE thousand men
should fight one nearly four times its force,
in open field, the former being composed
mainly of volunteers who had never faced an
enemy before, is Of itself an evidence of dar-
ing not eften witnessed; that il should fight
and not be out hanked by such superiority Of
numbers, nor forced 10 retreat, is a more unu-
sual thing still in the history Of wars; but that
it should fight, and not only hold its own, but
cut its adversary to pieces, and gain decisive
victory, is an event which the tacic'ans of
European armies may contemplate with
wonder, while we, here at home, take pride
in the men and IN the commander by whom
the thing was done.
All honor to the heroic chief. the indomita-
ble man, whom the Genius of Victory has
vindicated the confidence of the public in his
capacity and courage-this Roman in firm
ness and magnanimity, this Spartan in sim
plIcity! Every step that he takes to a higher
| and still higher ground in the general regard,
tends 10 develope in fuller and more clear pro-
portions the outlines of massive character,
substantial in its worth and greatness, and
challenging alike admiration and confidence.
| This is the giant whom the Lilliputians have
been striving 10 entangle and embarrass-ihe
! Lillputians at Washington, who measu ,e
greatness according TO the court standard, ia
king Mr.. Polk for the model, and seek to cut
down all higher natures - the recognized
J level
| But the people will take care Of their own.
| The most humble, who make no pretensions
| TO greatness or heroism, have yet that faculty
which eleyates the hunblest ard enobles hu-
manity-the faculty of approaching with all
/ the certainty OF instinct and all the ardour of
sympathy. that which is great and heroic
| Let us look Tor moment at a contrast which
we find presented by New York paper
the Gazette. Throw party considerations
as,de," says that journal. land how many
Americans, for instance at the present mo
ment, would be willing that Mr.. Polk should
represent the character and dignity OF the
American people2 How few Americans are
there on the other side, who, would not, at
a gathering of the nations, point proudly 10
Taylor and say: If you wan, to know what
we are, look there al that man! THAT'S Old
Rough and Ready, as we call him. That
man represents me and my country. Get the
dimensions Of old Zach, and you'll understand
the style Of a man We Americans are willing
should pass as representative of American
character"
The details of the battle OF Buena Vista are
awaited with that sort Of lively interest which
belongs to every incident connected with q
great event. Perhaps they will not reach us
until another battle accompanies them. Fol-
SANTA ANNA, SO soon as he is reinforced by
his reserve under Gen. VELAsaUEz, must Try
the issue Of another battle. He will be oblig-
ed to light. or accept the alternative of re-
treat over the desert towards San Luis, with
dispirited troops in a half starving condition
He must fight for subsistence-having nc
sources of supply, but trusting everything tc
the contingency of success which may give
him possession of our stores.
To the brave men who have fallen on ths
field Of victory and glory, the tribute o
thar coun:ry's grief and admiration will BE-
freely poured forth. The Republic will
love her dead sons more than many Of
her living ones. The profoundest sympathy
rs everywhere felt for the loss which this
event has brought upon Che venerable States
man of the West, who, having devoted his
own life to the service of his country, com.
pletes the measure of his sacrifice by yielding
up his son. Yet the brave always sleep we'll
in death they lie gracefully. The end, com
mon to all, which none can escape-where
can the firm spirit meet it better than on the
field Of battle and Of victory, under the banner
of his country? We may grieve for the sur
vrross who deplore the loss of beloved ones
not for the fallen who need not our sympathy.
Bait. .4ner