Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-04-08
GEN. TAYLOR AND Ills GLORIOUS VICTORY.

We have no language which can adequately ex-
press the feelings of JOY, pride and exutation with
which our mind was filled upon receiving the intel
ligence of the wonderful achievement of this glori
GUS old hero, and his gallant little army, at Buena
vista For more than week the public mind had
been held in state of agonlzing suspense, and the
most gloomy apprehensions prevailed as to the fate
OF this apparently devoted band. Every thing
seemed to threaten disaster, if not defeat Gen.
TAYLOR had warned the Government in the most
solemn manner, that upon every military principle
1t would be necessary to furnish him with an army
of 10000 men, at least 10000 of whom should be
regulars, and reserve corps Of 5000 to enable him
TO advance successfully upon the enemy. In the
face of all these admontions the Government re-
duced his force to little over 5000-took from him
almost the entire body Of regulars, thereby leaving
him an army Of unframed volunteers, and then or
dered him into the very face OF Santa Anna-the
! Napoleon OF MeXico-who calmly awaiting
his approach with well drilled army OF 20 900
men, and an auxiliary force of 5000 cavalry under
Gen. Urea. As might have been expected, Gen.
TAYLOR was soon surrounded, Santa Anna being
In his front and Urea with his cavalry in his rear
ready to cut off his retreat. Under these circum-
chances, Santa Anna deeming Gen. TAyLoR's es-
cape utterly impossible, surrounded as he was by
five times his own number, demanded his uncond.
tional surrender. To this demand the old hero
made such reply might "a expected He
promptly declined and determined upon victory or
death. On the 22nd Of February the assault was
made on the American lines, but wilhou: any de-
cisive results. On the 23d it was renewed, and ,
after most desperate struggle which continued du-
ring the greater part of the day, Gen. TAYLOR in
person made the final and decisive CHARGE and the
enemy was driven back, and a victory secured to
the American arms. before whose brilliancv every
achievement in our military history since the sur
render at Yorktown, grows pale. When we look
at the disparity of forces, are at loss to under.
stand how it was possible for human means to ac-
complsh such result. The Mexican army was
well disciplined and fought with the most deter
mined courage. and it was led (thanks to Mr.. Polk y
by their ables and most accomplished General, who
Is the idol of the nation, and who alone could nfuse
into them comic nce and enthusiasm. 1t seems,
indeed. as if General TAYLOR were the especial
favorite of Heaven, and as if he bore, like Wash
ington, charmed life. During three bloody wars,
and in the thickest Of score of desperate battles
he has thus far passed unscathed. though bullets
have whlsed round him like hail, al,,, o... ut least
has passed through his clothesl We are not much
given TO superstition but are almost led to think
that the Great Being, who made Cyrus the scourge
of nations of antiquity, has some high destiny in
store for the man whom he has thus signay protect
ed in the midst of thousand perils! The future
will reveal these benefcent purposes if they exist
But although the victory has been won there is
still heavy account TO be rendered to an indignant.
and, we had almost said, an avengng public, by Mr..
Folk The people are not satisfied with the treat
ment which Gen. TAYLOR has received, and they
Will not suffer their deep convictions of the njus-
tlce, if not treachery, which has been practsed by
the Administration towards Gen. TAYLOR to be
drowned in the shouts of triumph which overspread
the land. They will demand to know why, when
Gen. TAYLOR called for an increase of his forces,
they were reduced one half2 Why, when he
asked for more regulars, were those that he had
taken away2 Why was he denied any corps de
reserve, when he told the Government that
body of 5000 was necessary to protect his rear?
These questions will be Numbered into Mr.. Folks
ears with most tremendous emphasis, and ne must
answer them satisfactorily or dreadful condemna-
ton will be pronounced upon him.
1t is needless to attempt to disguise the fact that
suspicious have sprung up throughout the whole
Country that Mr.. Polk wished Cen TAYLOR to he
defeated Public prints in all parts of the Union
have given uuerance to these impressions. They
say that Mr. Polk was jealous of the rising fame Of
Gen. TAYLoE, and wished some disaster to befal
him so that his aurels might be furnished, and his