Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-05-06
sketches i'm the Camp.
BY AN Ex-REPoRTER OF THE STATE SENTINEL.
No %

BY AN Ex-REPoRTER OF THE STATE SENTINEL.
No. 20.
As there is always calm after storm, so is there
time Of rest after battle. What change has Ia
ken place within few weeks, 1t has been but a
short time since San Luis paper was received al Sal
tio, containing address of Santa Anna to his SOL
diers, in which he alluded to the neglect of his gov
eminent 10 furnish him with means of transportation
provisions, and money 10 prosecute the war, but he
said that his army had plenty of arms and ammun-
ton, that his soldiers were brave and patriotic and
that he should leave San Luis for Saltio, with his
entire command the next morning, drive away all
invaders of Mexican soil. Those who were familiar
with the route from San Luis made the calculation
that the Mexican army would be IN Saltllo between
the 10Th and Doth of February. That time rolled
around and enemy appeared but every day brought
fresh news of his approach. Though great number
were skeptca, and turned deaf TO all news rel
alive to locality of the Mexican Amy, the sequel
proved that the time at hand when every
would be called upon to do his duty to his coun
try. Santa Anna had left San Luis with "a 900 men,
well armed and equipped. As he pitched his camp at
Encarnacion his locality discovered by the brave
Mccullough, of Texas, and as he advanced to Aqua
Nueva, lie discovered that the little handful of Ameri-
cans had gone back towards Saltilo. :. They have
fed said Santa Anna, "we must pursue them, and
overtake them" Santa Anna the morning of the
22d, issued order to Gen. Meion, tostake part of
his forces through the Palomas pass to advance on
SaftlO, and send the balance 10 the hlnc0nada pass
to intercept the retreat of the Americans. Santa An
ma then moved the main body of his army towards
Salto but as he approached Buena VISTA he observed
the Americans formed in line of battle. Why
said Santa Anna, has Gen. Taylor halted with this
little squad-perhaps he is going to surrender will
send him letter and ascertain his purpose" The
letter was sent, and the reply was such that must
necessarily convince him that all hopes of surren-
der were to be banished Santa Anna only fred a
few big guns that day, but he laid his plans for the
next. His army encamped that night, and in the
morning the Mexicans great glee, much
so that they all put on a clean Shirt except few
greasers that were too lazy to carry more than one
They calculated to whip In about two hours, and
then 20 to Salto and take good spree, pick our
pockets and eat provisions. They commenced the
fight and men kept them busy until nearly dark
when the Mexicans got sick of their game and con-
cudcd to defer their spree in Saltillo to future
day but they did not defer picking pockets and strip
ping the dead of all their clothes except shirt. The
plan of Santa Anna to defeat our army was well ar
ranged and displayed generalship unsurpassed by any
age. He attacked our army at Buena Vista. and had
other forces to attack our line at several places in the
at about the same time, evidently intending to
defeat at Buena Vista and off retreat, and
get possession of all of our public property and stores
but lie met with signal failure. Thefe is one thing
connected with this matter that is enough to socl
the feelings of the depraved. Santa Anna gave
orders to the division of lancers that advanced through
i the Palomas pass, that when our army defeated
and commenceda retreat kill all and let none escape
10 tell the news; but when they found had taker
more prisoners than they had. they were willing tt
exchange. Santa Anna acknowledges that he wa.
whipped, but he says it was because he had not pro
visions sufficient to continue the fight. Strange rea
soning. 1t seems to me that army of hungry sol
diers would fight much the harder in order TO gel
something to eat. You may call me superstitious
but have no hesitation in ascribng our success t
the justice of our cause, for cannot believe that thu
sun will ever dawn upon the victory of enemy tha
kill the wounded strip the dead, and leave their
wounded on the field to perish.
The enemy have gone back TO Matahuila. Th,
dead and dying to be seen by the waysiGe in many
places between the battle ground and Encarnacon, ant
many deserters from the Mexican army to be seer
in Saltlllo and about the mountains. There now
several deserters from the American army in The
/ Mexican army. On the Odd some of these deserer
were taken prisoners. but they unhesitatingy pro
claimed their innocence-they denied deserving, an,
asserted that they taken prisoners and forced Il
fight against their country. Miserable subter
| fuge-it is unnatural and improbable. There mus
have been willing mind and the very fact that some
of these men had commissions is circumsantial evi
dence that they sold themselves for of pottagt
that they valued rank higher than their country.
! Santa Anna and his army are still at Matahuila
about 40 miles from the Buena Vista battle field
He has announced his willingness TO prosecute thu
war, provided his government will furnish him will
more men, PROVISIONS and money. If the government
of Mexico should furnish him with the means he vii
probably again advance upon our army. But | fear
not the result of another battle. So long are
led by the brave TAYLOR, victory will be ours and
the stars and stripes will feat in triumph the
mountain passes and rocky ravines of Mexico. Should
there be another battle, the Indiana brigade will again
be led into the action by the gallant LANE, who
shrunk from duty on the 22d and 23d, but with COL
lecled mind and resoute heart advanced in the thick
est of danger, though weakened by the loss of blood
We deeply lament the death of Hardin, Yell, Mckee
and Clay, because they were brave and feared not the
many thousand instruments of death brought to bear
against them. Humanity is shocked and the self
styled civilization of Mexico is dsgraced by their acts
at Buena Vista, Three of Indianas brave sons
! (Kinder, DOzer, and Goff,) who delighted in doing
their duty to their country were wounded as to be
unable continue in the field, and afterwards cruelty
murdered by the lancers. How sickening is the con-
trast On the morning after the battle. | saw many
Americans giving the wounded Mexicans bread &c
eat and water to drink. | trust the time will
come when our couutrymen will disgrace themselves
by the commission i such brutal perpe-
trated by Mexicans. Our countrymen fight to conquer
peace, and not to distinguish themselves by killing
wounded men.
Aqua Nuera, Mexico, March 3, 1S47.
Correspondence Of the Journal Of Commerce