The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-05
CHAPTER XIII,

An account Of the Battle of Buena Vista, in the
iScriptural Style.
l. And ii came to pass In those days when the
war between the children of brother Jonathan
and the children of Ishmael, known as the Mexi-
cans, was prosecuted with rigor,
O. With the object of conquering piece of
Mexico,
g. That the armies of the Mexicans crossed
over the wilderness which stretches from Mate.
huala to Aqua Nueva, some forty leagues, headed
by their chief captain, Antonio, whose surname
was Lopez de Santa Anna. 81
4. And Zachery, one of the mghties. Of Bro.
ther Jonathan, was the chief captain Of the host
Water, in the heart Of the enemy's country:
8. Howbeit, the chief captain over all the
American armies in Mexico was Winfield, a
mighty man of valor, who stood like Saul, the
first king of Israel, head and shoulders above
his peers.
g., Who, after suppng 81 hasty plate of soup"
IN the. chief city of Washington, put on all the
panoply of war, and with ships and transports, n
great fleet and huge engines, and twelve thousand
men of war, set sail to Vera Cruz, the chief sea-
port of the Mexicans
black as thunder, and grim as DEATH setting out
like huge prison in the midst of the sea.
8. And Antonio, the chief captain of the Mexi-
cans, had wooden leg.
g. For the Gauls had bombardcd the castle once
upon a time, when Antonio was its defender, and
stray shot from the enemy had wounded him
sore.
10. And Winfield, when he repaired to Vera
Cruz with his mighty host, hearing that Antonio
was at San Luis Potosi midway between Vera
Cruz and Aqua Nueva;
fast for provisions, and could not bulge peg
from the want thereof
IL. And thinking that Antonio would be utter
ly unable to cross the desert to the discontinue
13. Called upon Zachery and took from him
the main body of his regular soldiers, and told
him to clay low and keep dark and in order to
be perfectly, safe, to fall back into Monterey, un-
der the shadow of the mountains, where the enc
my could not reach him, If peradventure they
should cross the desert.
H. But Zachery was exceeding wrOth, and de-
termined to have crack at em any how
To- Moreover, the water at Aqua Nueva was
wholesome to the men and as 1t was on the
under the mountains at Monterey.
It, And though left with but 5000 young men,
he resolved to stand the racket.
l7.And hearn from the spies which were sent
preaching with mighty. host Of cannoniers,
rancheros, lancers, horse, foot, and dragons;
l9 And, furthermore that the chief captain of
the Mexicans was anxious to lmmortaliZc him.
self in great battle with the Americans,
49, Old Zachery put both hands into his pock-
cts, and said he'd be damned if he didn't give him
a chance
20. And Santa Anna, which is Antonio, drew
nigh unto Aqua Nueva, with II 900 men,
q. And'Zachery fell back to the hacienda Of
Buena Vista, or Good Prospect, where he could
have good prospect of the enemy,
%. Where he planted his men by regiments,
battalions, squadrons, and companies, among the
hills and ravines, fanked by the barren and sun
burnt mountains,
%. And in the second month, and on the 22d
day of the month, and on the eleventh hour of
the day, the two armies were pitched tor the
battle.
"a. And the Mexlcans were spread around like
a great host of starving wolves, while the army
of Brother Jonathan mustered like small herd
OF tigers among the hills.
%. And Antonio sent to Zachcry messenger,
asking him rpSpccffuIIV n surrender n would
be great accommodation.
70. And Zachcry respectfully declined.
II. And the battle began with some heavy can
nonading in the afternoon of the day on which
the great Washington was born
%. So that the Mexicans unwittingly joined
The Americans in the celebration.
%. And again on the next day, the battle was |
renewed and sustained all the day with great
slaughter on both sides.
30 And the enemy being starved, fought over
the dead bodies of the Americans for the meat
and drink which was in their knapsacks.
81 And Antonio had to drive others at the |
point of the lance into the battle, so exceeding
hot was the fire of the American volunteers.
80 And there fell of the enemy near two
80 And at night, the Chief Captain of the
Mexcans, with his shattered army, fell back
upon Aqua Nueva,
81. And carried with him three of the great
guns of the Americans, which were taken by
reason that their defenders were shot down,
35 And issued a proclamation, that on the
provisions, he would finish the work.
So But instead thereof, he precpitatcy re-
treated across the desert toward San Luis Potos,
on the pretence that Gen. Patterson was coming
10 town.
81 And Zachcry resumed his old position at
Aqua Nueva, for his men were dry.
80 And he sent messenger to Washington
with dispatches of all that had been done, and
exhibiting his loss to be near eight hundred men
IN killed and wounded,
80. And told the Adjutant General to tell the
Secretary of War, surnamed old leather breech-
es, that il was, perhaps, as well to keep tho de-
sert between him and the enemy, as to admit
them down to Monterey.
10. And there was great Joy among the Amerl-
cans, albeit many hearts were grleved, by reason
Of the slain.
Al And Old Zachery was pronounced by ac-
camation one of the b'hoys.
Respectfully, The DocToR.
BALTIMORE, April 3, lS47.
Apyii Heath6r-1he Railroad Meeting-Ceiebra-