The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-04-26
PRIVATE LETTER FROM GEN. TAYLOR.

The New Orleans Picayune If the 18th pub
fishes large portion Of private letter addressed
| by Gen. Taylor 10 Gen. E. g. w. Butler, of the
| Parish of Iberville, La. II is mainly devoted to
description CT the battle OF Buena Vista. We
make room for few passages which will be read
with general interest. OF his nomination TO the
Presidency he thus speaks:
| was aware of the report as well az statements
in few OF the public journals.that il was intend
| ed by certain individuals 10 bring Gen. Butler
forward as the successor to Mr. Polk, which gave
| me concern, and would not even mad il been
| the case, which did not credit and which had
been forgotten.
| | may observe that have been also named as
a candidate for that high office by few newspa-
per editors, which has been dine without my
knowledge, wishes or consent.
This | have assured .all who have written me
on the subject; assuring them had no sspila-
tons for that or any other civil office that my
whole energies, mental and physical, were aud
had been absobe In such way as thought
best calculated TO bring this 10 speedy and
honorable close, believing 1t for the interest
OF both countries the sooner it was done the bet
ter at any rate SO far as ours was concerned
and that President making should be lost sisht OF
until this was accomplished
After statement OF the principal events which
Immediately preceded the battle Of Buena Vista,
and describing the position re had chosen tor his
army, Gen. T. thus alndes to the severe conflict
of Feb 3d.
In the morn ing at sunrise he rene we'd he con-
test with an overw hemning force-wih artil
lery, infantry and dragons which lasted with
very slight iniermissions until dark. portion
OF the time The contest much the seyerest
have ever witnessed, particularly toward the
latter part OF the day, when he (Santa ANIMAL
brought up his reserve. and in spite OF every Ell
| fort on our part, af.er the greatest exertions |
have ever Witnessed on TO h sides, drove US by
an immense superiority OF numbers for some dis
| tance
| He had at least five to at that point against
| us. Fortunately, at the most critical moment,
| two pieces OF artillery, which had ordered up
TO support that part OF line met our exhaust.
| ed men rereang, when they were brought into
battery and opened on the enemy, then wi hin
fifty yards in no pursuit. with canister and grape
which brought him to a halt and soon compelled
him TO fall hack.
In this tremendous contest we lost three pieces
OF artillery nearly all the and horses having
been killed or crippled which put il out OF our
power TO bring them of did Geen, it advis-
able to attempt TO regain them.
The enemy made his principal efforts against
our TANKS. He was handsomely pulsed in ev-
cry attempt on our tight, hut succeeded early in
| giving way OF one of the volun eer regiments,
| which could not be rallied, with but few excep.
| tions the greater portion retiring about a mile to
| Large rancho or farm house, where our wagons
and portion of our stores were left. These
| were soon alter attacked by the enemy's cavalry
| who were rppulsed with some loss
For several hours the tate OF the day was ex-
| tremely doubtful so much SO that / was urged by
| some the most experienced officers to TALL back
| and take up new position. This | knew il
! would never do 10 attempt with volunteers, and
! at once declined it The scene now had become
| ono OF the deepest interest Between the sever
| al deep ravnes there portions OF level land
| from one TO four hundred yards in extent, which
became alternately points OF attack and defence,
after our lei was urned by both sides.
These extended along and near the base Of the
mountain Tor abont two miles, and the struggle
for them may be very appropriately compared
to game OF chess. Might put stop to the con-
test, and, strange to say, both armies occupied
the same positions they did in tn: morning before
the battle commenced Our artillery did more
than wonders.
We lay on our arms all night, as we had done
the two previous ones, without fires, there be-
ing no wood to be had, and the mercury below
freezing point, ready and expecting 10 renew the
contest the next moi ning but we found at day-
light. the enemy had retreaed during the night
leaving his killed and many OF his wounded for us
taking up position at this place.
We did not think it advisable TO pursue, not
knowing whether he would renew the attack.
continue bis retreat, wished TO draw us from
our strong position; but contented ourselves with
watching his movements closely.
hope the greater portion Of the good people of
the country will be satisfied with what we have
done this occasion. ! tlatter myself that orr
compelling Mexican army OF n ore thai, 20. 600
men. completely organized and led by their
Chief Magistrate, 10 retreat, with less than 500
regulars and about 1000 volunteers, will meet
their approval. had not single company OF re-
gular infantry; the whole was taken from me-
The road to the City Of Mexico from here is
now open, and we only want few thousand OF
good regulars, in addition to the volunteers. to
| enable us to reach that place. What effect our
late battle will have on Santa Anna and the Mex
| lean Congress. time must determine; but I sin.
| cerely hope it will lead TO peace. One thing Is
certain; their principal army has become de-
molished. and it will be very difficult for them
! TO raise and equip another
P0tcder MIL ErpIosion--yNon Killed The