Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-05-20
sTaUNToN, (yA.) THURSDAY,

|
Worth. AS to Santa Anna and Canalizo, they re-
treated in time to escape by the main road. Their
conduct was regarded as most cowardly. Some OF
the Mexican officers who were taken prisoners do
not hesitate TO attribute their defeat To the cowardice
or corruption Of Santa Anna. The infantry that
fought 50 well at Buena Vista. all the regular artil
lersts OF the Republic, including several able naval
officers were present. Some of the officers whom
Gen. Scott released at the capitulation of Vera
Cruz, without exlorting the parole on account of
their gallantry, were found among the killed and
wounded. "A gallant young officer named HAHN
ger,.a German by birth, who extortcd the admira-
ton of our army in the bombardmcn of Vera Cruz.
by seizirg flag which was cut down by our balls
and holding 1t up in his hands until staff could he
prepared, had been released by Gen. Scott without
a parole. He was found among the desperately
wounded at Ccrro Gordo
The enemy's loss in killed and wounded. was a
bout as large as our own, but in addition 10 this
the loss of 6,0OO prisoners and some Of their best
officers. Our army captured about thirty pieces of
beautiful brass cannon, of large calibrc and mostly
manufactured at the Royal Foundry at Seville
large quantity of fixed ammunition, of very
superior quality. was also taken. The private bag
gage and money chest of Santa Anna containing
$4,000. was also captured The latter was de-
livcred over 10 the Pay Department. The volun-
teers who We're employed in carrying the specie
into camp cracked many a joke the prospect of
being paid Off in Mexican coin and free Of ex-
pense TO Uncle Sam.
When our forces had carried the various positions
OF the enemy, and the road was cleared. General
IwIggs started in hot pursuit OF the fugitive Santa
Anna, and pressed close upon his heels A strong
position, five miles west of Cerro Gordo fortified
and defended by fine battery of long brass guns,
was abandoned by the enemy and occupied by our
troops Gen. Twiggs bivouacked within three
miles of the lovely town OF Jalapa.
In concluding our imperfect sketch of this bril-
liant achievement, we cannot sufficiently express
our admiration of the extraordinary deeds OF our
gallant army and able General Scarcely month
has elapsed since our troops, under Scott, landed on
the enemy's shores. In that time strong walled
city has been captured, together with an impregna
BILE fortress; pitched battle has been fought under
the most unavorable circumstances, and against
the most formidable natural dctences twelve thou
sand prisoners have been taken, including some
half a dozen general Officers five hundred splendid
cannon, and an immense amount Of munitions of
war have been added 10 the national trophies.
Truly, such results are glorious testimonials Of the
vaor Of our soldiers, and Of the skill gallanry, and
perseverance of the accomplished General who led
them.
THE ARKANSAS TROOPS AT BEUNA VISTA.
As some controversy has already sprung up res
pccting the conduct OF portion of the Arkansas
volunteers at the battle OF Buena Vista, we think
1t no more than just>to let member of that corps
rccte In his own way, lis deeds on the occasion
ferrcd to. The opportunity to do is afforded by
the annexed extracts from letter which appears
in the last "Arkansas State Democrat Published
at Little Rock, into which paper it is transferred
from the Gazette" of the same place. The let
Ter is dated
"BUENA VISTA, February %, lS47.
'',The position assigned our regiment was at
the north base Of the mountain. The battle upon
the heights had commenced with the break of day
the enemy above and the volunteers lower down
Bayoneis and guns glitered among the rocks and
shrubberies as if shower Of silver was falling
The enemy's number increased till the whole noun
tain was in and covered with smoke. They
! swept down in thousands and the few defenders
gave way and took another position lower down.
''Soon atter the main body of the enemy ap
peared, coming Immediately to our position. One
of the Indiana regiments was ordered to our sup
port but after standing heavy fire for time. it
gave way and left alone We were ordered TO
fall back and take position a deep ravine.
We did so, but the result was that we had to aban
don it also for we thrcatend with charge
from the lancers in the midst of shower OF balls
from cannon and muskets. As soon as we COM
menced falling back the lancers did make Il charge.
and we repulsed them and drove them back to the
Mexican infantry.
Here Col. Yell gave an unfortunate order. He
dismounted billiards. squadron TO fight in ravine.
till aid could come from the right flank of our ar
my. The Mexican infantry was advancing and
pouring shower of bullets down the ravine. We
were near being taken prisoners. After firing a
round or so. which checked the advance OF the en-
envy, we started for cur horses. They were all
killed or gone but two or three. Some Of us re-
gained ours and joined the regiment.
1--WE then took stand about two hundred yards
from the rancho Of the Buena Vista The Ken
lucky cavalry, under Col. Marshall. | forgot to
mention. had shared the day with us. bad as it had
been. When the stand at ihe rancho was made.
both regiments could not have counted more than
three hundred and fifty men the rest had all been
scattered by horses getting away, throwing them,
or being killed under them
'.The lancers abott two thousand strong bore
down upon us; at about hundred yards dis
lance we levcled and fred upon them They
sprung az the fire. and we charged them. They
separated in two divisions one on our left and the
+ other on our right We pressed those on the left.
. and the work of death was raging. If balls and
lances. sabres, smoke and dust, shouting gr0anng,
and dying compose glory. we were in The midst OF
{ it. Not a word was spoken-@-it was all fighting
S Here Col. Yell fell. aud Capt. Porter-and poor
John Pelham. the beloved of Our regiment.
''The MeXicans tumbled on every side. saw
e them struck down with sabres and trampled be-
9 meath our horses feet. | saw them beg with up
lifted hands for mercy, but it was remembered thai
those very hands had driven their lanccs into the
a hearts of our couutrymcn. They scattered onC
S part fled back to the Mexican infantry: the Other
got across deep gulley, and through the gap Of a
mountain on the right, and were seen no more that
r day. A piece Of ordnance gave them few fare
2 well balls as they went.
g. ~ .,
If the midst of,hc fight on the tight flank. When wt
returned to lie fold asior fhe rnmf of the iancers