Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1847-04-30
THE WARE REPUBLICAN

Report followed report-now that he was de-
feated again that with great loss he had sue.
ceeded in making his retreat to Monterey
His best friends and who had the greatest re-
lance upon his great capacity and readiness
for every emergency, entertained gloomy fore
bodings, and dared not hope more than that he
would by great evertions be able 10 escape with
the remnant of his army into the Black Fort at
Monterey. Again, as had been the case in
May, were calculations made as to the number
Of rations in that place, and the length Of time
his army, there cooped up, would be able 10
subsist. "A
Did he think of defeat and retreat? MOI
He had weighed well every circumstance
He had chosen his battle field. He knew that
the proper place to fight was in front OF Salt-
10. He knew that should the Mexican army
once get him in Monterey, they would with
part of their force threaten him and hold him
in check, whilst the rest would pounce down
upon his depots at Camargo and Matamoras
cut off his communications, and destroy his
base line of operations, He knew that they
would occupy the Rinconada pass, the pass
"de los Muertos." and thence be able. with
impnnity continually to annoy his forces. He
had, moreover, planted himself at Aqua Nueva
the position suited his iancy-and he was
moi disposed to relinquish it without some hard
knocks. "Wil Santa Anna attack you, Gem
era ~ inquired one of his officers. "Let him
come" was the reply, with a shrug OF the
shoulders, he will go back faster than he
came." To DE-. Wood, his son-in-law, he
wrote, ~ Will tall back 10 a position proper
for the maupuvering Of my artillery, and then
If Santa Anna wishes to distinguish himself, |
will give him chance"
He retired TO the battle field he had chosen
A.. had "A
demanded an unconditional surrender. The
reply was, "Come and take me-" On the ed
Of February the battle commenced between
$1,000 regulars, picked troops, under their ia
vore leader,' ''the Napoleon OF the West,''
! fighting IN their oien country for their homes,
their families their Very existence, and 5000
raw vOlun GERS carrying on war Of inUdsion. =
The night of the 23d closed upon the greatest
victory Of modern times, and beheld the strength
Of Mexico broken-her last hope destroyed
The battles Of the 9Th and 9th we've esteemed
wonderful. These were eclipsed by the storm
ing Of Monterey. Even this last must pale be-
fore the hard fought battle of Buena Vista
The papers vet teem with incidents and de.
scriptons Of the fight-the country yet rings
with praises OF the hero and his gallant men
The effects OF this battle are in the last degree
important Had Santa Anna defeated Gen
Taylor, he would have instructed the garrison
of Vera Cruz and Stu Juar DJUlIoa to bold Ou
to the last extremity, whilst with his army
flushed with victory and supplied with spois
he would have captured Camareo and Malta
moros, and then fallen on Scoit's rear, of affect
ed the former with a portion Of his troop
whilst with the remainder he attempted thu
latter. With the city aud castle in front, Sanii
Annals inspirted troops in the rear, and the
uonato threatening him, Gen. Scott's position
/ hatya bnf rfnh II,
and safe. Now, however, tie military powe
of Mexico is destroyed, Santa Annals influence
and power of encouragement gone, the garr
sons of Vera Cruz and Ulloa dispirited, after q
short struggle surrender-the contest is in re-
ality al an end.
Many interesting reflections suggest them
selves in n review of the Mexican campaign
connected and embodied as it is with the name
and fame of General Taylor. Leading almos
IA foron hopen-lorced to reconcile ant
combine political views with his military op
erations-ordered at once to spnr and 10 soolhe
TO strike, and TO ciliate-there have beef
+ required OF Gen. Taylor, the highest qualitie
! of both the soldier and the civilian, Crampe'
: in his means and continually instructed tina
! we We're on the eve Of peace, his sword ha
: been rendered less trenchant by the olive bran
: ches iwined around it,-hs arm has bee
I paraysed in dealing its most sturdy blows-h
= has been prevented from pressing and i'm
q proving to their full extent The advantages h
: has gained. Yet withal, quietly, without, pa
rade, without single intrusion Of self, by har
: fighting and hard working, by iudomiiable en-
I ergy and perseverance,, nubly seconded by tn
| discipline, the gallantry, the endurance Of hi
s troops, he has driven the enemy from the Ri
4 Glaude,-occupied the country rs far as Sa
: tillo,-ganed with twelve mouths, four Of tn
}. most splendid victories on record, -efectuall
n broken The military power of Merico,-and Ell
Il fected, as far as is permitted him, the ohjec
J, of the administration In every instance, fror
I. the defence of Fort Harrison to the battle c
t Bnena Vista, he has fought with great odds a
q gainsl him. He has fought with his best off
s GERS and without them. With regulars,-wt
s volunteers aud regulars combined, and wit
4 volunteers alone. He has attacked the enem
e upon the pain,-he has stOrmed their fortified
1 tios-he has been attacked by them in his pt
4 sition. In every fight has been victorious, :
= under every variety of circumstances, great
D He has been found equal 10 every emergenc,
i and has aslonished the world by his SIX i'll an
i gallantry,-his power and resource. His al
! nouncements of his victories are models of mi
\ itarv correspondence, plans of campaig
e contained in his more lengthy communication
e to the war Department, STAMP him Unlimited
9 more than the mere man of military eti3uett
IS and detail, the General, the Great Captain
His views of policy, military and civil, prov
n that he would adorn any station he might b.
q called upon TO FILL His great forcsight,-h
q strong common sense,-his skill in conceivr
a and promptitude in execuiing,-hIs cool iud!
y ment,-his calm determination,-h galantr
y and presence of mind in the heat of batte,-
q his humanity and forebearance in the hour
n victOry,-his stern sense of Justice and right
!, his great simplicity of chamberlain hiI