Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-04-08
The Battle Of Buena Vista.

Buena Vista serves to enhance the glory Of that
sanpuinary action. AS more is known of it, more
IS thought of it, AS an achievement of arms, it
stands pre-emnent amongst feats of chivary as
an illustration of military skill it places the gal
LIANT commander of the American forces amongst
the great captains known in fame. We have lis
tened to the recital of the incidents which occur
red during the two days fighting without knowing
which most to applaud, the courage and constan-
cy of the soldiers or the professional wisdom of
Gen. Taylor What change has been wrought
IN the public mind within the last few days! The
best that was hoped Of the little army in Coahuila
was that it had cut its way to Monterey, where 1t
might rest in comparative security. But, instead
of pursuing this course, Gen. Taylor awaited the
approach of Santa Anna, and overwhelmed his
vast army with unparalleled slaughter. Not an
inch of territory has been retrieved by the enemy,
and now there is none to oppose the progress Of
our arms in the direction of San Luis Potosi.
1t may seem to some to have been rash deter
minaiion in Gen. Taylor TO give battle with such
unequal numbers. So it seemed when he en-
countered the enemy at Palo Alto. at Resaca, and
at Monterey; but results test the merit of military
operations, and luck cannot account for four sue
cessive victories If we may take the opinions of
military men guide in forming an opinion in
the premises, few generals would have hazarded
the action at Buena Vista, as few would have
fought the battle of Resaca.
As we have before stated, the fighting on the
22G of February--an unfortunate day upon which
to attack an American-army-w confined prin-
cipally to cannonading and skirmishing with light
troops The bloody business was done on the
23d, which was opened by an attack from our side
under the direction of Gen. Wool. A portion of
the advance was shaken by overwhelming num-
bers, but was supported by General Taylor, who
brought forward the reserve, and decided the day
by resistless charge. What is here said in
few words required day to consumate, and re-
cital of the incidents and maneuvres which ended
SO triumphantly would demand many columns for
space An eye-witness-one who was near Gen.
Taylor's person all the time with the exception of
those intervals during which he was carrying his
orders over the feld-informs US that not man,
with the exception above noticed, of the American
lines wavered for an instant whilst facing the most
CALLING fire and receiving the repeated charges Of
the enemy, which, it is but candor to say, were
conducted with spirit and address.
AS an instance of the desperation with which
both armies fought, Mr.. Crittenden, who acted as
Gen. Taylors aid throughout the fight, when asked
whether the Mexicans had taken three pieces of
ordnance from US, as Santa Anna reported, replied
in the affirmative and said that the guns were not
given up till every man at them was shot down
and every horse killed near them; and, moreover,
that in bearing them off the Mexcans suffered a
loss of some six hundred men, They interlered
madly between the retreating guns and our men
seeking to regain them. These guns were part
OF Capt. Washington's battery, under the command
of Lieut. O'Brien. Lieut.. OBJ. was wounded be-
fore his guns were taken, and when reporting his
| loss to Gen. Taylor was complmented for his
bravery 1t was no fault Of his. Captain Wash
ington was in another part of the field, and sus-
tained himself with great GOODNESS and intelligence
as did Captains Bragg and Sherman, with their
respective batteries-in all but fourteen guns.
| Ii may be here proper to explain the circum-
stances upon which report was founded that
Gen TAYLOR had sent Santa Anna a flag of truce
during the action. 1t occurred that body Of
Mexican infantry, about thousand strong, had
become detached from Santa Annals army, and
were being moved down with terrible slaughter
General Taylor sent Mr.. Crittenden with flag, to
say to them that if they would surrender he would
stop killing them. When Mr.. Crittenden go
amonst them he was taken by them to Santa An
ma, with his eyes blndfolded. This he remon
strated against without effect When he wa:
brought to Santa Anna he was asked his mission
He told him he had no message for him; that ht
was sent to ask detached force to surrender, t
save effuson of blood, and, as his errand was un
successful, he demanded to be sent back to hi
General 1t was then that Santa Anna requester
him to tell General Taylor that if he would sur
render he would be protected and we'll cared for
Mr. Crl!tenden replied that he had no commission
to speak with him Santa Anna) upon that or an,
, other matter but it was no use to send any sucl
message, as General Taylor nerer surrendered.
[Picayune.
Al a meeting Of shoemakers in New Yorl
on Tuesday week il was shown that ihos
| bo x,o,l IN h,oo,ns couId not tnala ,u.r