New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-01
Gen. TayIer's Last BattIe-Deaths OF Hardin
Yell and CIay-Mr. Secretary Marcy-hr'
President Polk-Col. Benton.

President Polk-Coi. Benton.
From our own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON Tuesday evening March 80.
sent YOU by the afternoon mail slip contain
inc an abstract of the news from the army, which
I hope was received in time for your Evening
Edition.
The news is such as was anticipated Every
ono predicted that IL there should be fight Taylor
would be victorious-and many thought there had
been fight and severe one.
In truth Gen. Taylor has fought the sevcrest oil
his battles has fought with his accustomed pru-
dencc and success. If the whole circumstances oil
this affair of Buena Vista be considered, the ex-
plot must be pronounced more gallant, more glo-
ricus than the victory Of New Orleans The dis
parity Of forces between the Americans and British
at New-Orlcans was not so great as ON the present
occasion between tho Americans and Mexlcans'
while their entertainments and defcnces then were
far superior 10 what they were now. And, so far
al appears to the contrary, the Mexicans fought
with equal eallantry now, as the British then. In
attack and defence Taylor has amply proved him
,eIf ono of the most distinguished generals Of the
age.
Bat the victory obtained by our arms has cost the
country dear II has cost seven hundred OF its cit
liens The event will carry grief and desolation
to many household.
From the great number Of officers who fell, 1t is
evident that they must have been in advance OF the
rank and file. In truth, this whole war has been SO
far conducted on one part with tho adoption of a
new rule in military tactics Tor while formerly
the practice was for the officers to direct and order
their soldiers upon the enemy, themselves holding
blck during this campaign they have advanced out
from the ranks and preceded their men to the car
mage!
And another fact is apparent from the history OF
the battle The volunteers fought not only with
great bravery, but GOODNESS and discipline. This
circumstance is as credtable to Gen. Taylor as the
victory itself: for without rigid enforcement on
his part of the practice necessary to form soldiers
the victory had never been obtained.
In the immediate excitement Of this Information,
we have but little inclination for reflection. An
sll-engufng feeling absorbs our minds but by and
by, when the nerves are released from their
tension, and tho blood cool In its accustomed
channels, there will be a time for calm considera-
ton We then shall have to ask ourselves, what
is all this worth r. Our arms have trumphed
gloriously, and have been redeemed in the heart
blood Of thousands our fellow.creatures we have
defaced Gods image with wounds and slaughter
have piled up hecatombs Of dead bodies for the de-
vouring vulture and the rsvenous beast of prey
we hapo gained great rictory. And what farther
Have we convinced the infatuated Mexican by our
bayenet. stabs, our sabre cuts, and our gun.shot
wounds that we seek nothing but our rights,
nothing but the redress Of our wrongs Has the
thunder Of our artillery opened his ears to the
justice Of our complaints against him, or its flash
Illuminated his mind TO comprehension Of his out
rageous conduct toward us7 Have we gained
augh by all this carnage, by all this lavish eiusion
OF blood, but glorious victory! In fine, have we,
In that most detestabe cant Of the day. conquered
peace"f
By.andby, toe, there will be o time for mourn
Ing. From the grateful contemplation Of four thou
sand slaughtered Mexcans, we shall turn our eyes
to the dead bodies Of our friends. We shall then
think Of their virtues and deplore their sudden de-
parture. Hardin, Yell Clay and other brave spirits
have gone whence they can never return!
Upon the Patriot Of Ashland this calamity will
fall with its sevcrest weight. Hardin was his ne
his old ago The Astyanax Of his family Count
lcss expectations were garnered in his existence,
and his rising gores gladdened his fathers path to
the inevitable tomb But no has fallen fallen in
tho immaturty Of his fame, and left hopeless pa
rent
Mr.. Secretary Marcy came down the city this
evening TO receive tho congratulations Of his friends
upon the brilliant victory, gained by his advice
and his suggestions" will do him the justice
10 say, that he received the expected fluctuations
with becoming modesty, and gave General
Taylor all the praise proper to be awarded to
m officer who had acted throughout the whole at.
fair under his directions. do not know that the
Secretary has any Presidential aspirations but if
he has, he can in all proprcty hope their gratfca.
ton, from the heartfelt and wclldeserved enco.
miums he has received, and still is destined TO no.
eeive, for the mastery manner in which he has
dnoted Gen. Taylor's army to its late brilliant
achievement
The President too. was complimented upon the
success Of has forces under Gen. Taylor at a levee
he held this evening-whether in honor of the
event or not do not know. He entertains serious
intention, understand, Of mentioning Taylor in
bis next Message, to convince the world of the
gross injustice it has done him in supposipg he
could be jealous Of that officer Jealous Of Taylor
Why, he would have noticed him in his last annu.
al Message, if he had supposed any Of his exploits
deserved place in one Of his State papers The
idea never occurred to him, nor TO his friend, Mr.
Secretary Marcy
Where IL Col Benton now! Would not this be
good opportunity 70 sapersede Taylor and give
him chief commando IfCongress were in session
Taylor could be easily reprimanded, under the
disguise Of vote Of thanks for not cutting TO pisces
> the army Of Santa Anna, and capturing him Such
avote could be as easily commended as the one a,
the late session. censuring the capitalization of
Monterey. 1t is true that, inasmuch as all the Of
fcen OF the ten Regiments have been appointed,
the Presidents patronage and consequent influence
10 Congress has diminished but then, il this war
last much longer there will be plenty Of vacancies
and these can all be promised with the usual liber-
atty ofMr. Polks promises
But where 10 Col. Bentonl Gone, it is said, to
Kentucky TO look after the saving Of logs at some
mills be owns therei What an amusement for the
heroststesman! aye Gods, it doth amaze me p
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