The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-06-26

standing its great population and unbounded
resources. They said we had no military J
strength; that our army and navy, though skill
full and brave, were but a cvpher compared
with the mighty ornaments Of the Old World;
and that our unpractised citizens could never
make efficient soldiers. Soon came the ever :
glorious ste rming of the mountain %fastness,
and the problem was solved. The nations
heart beat free; and Joy for the present, conf
dence in the future, p~ervaded the land. Indeed
it was a great and glorious achievement, and
in its moral effect, both at home and abroad,
perhaps the most important Of the war. 1t
gave the country complete confidence in the
yolunteers-the volunteers full reliance upon
themselves. From that day forth they became
veterans, Time will not permit me to recite
the vivid and heart-stirring incidents OF that
memorable and wonderful conflict. On one
side of the city the regulars fought, as they al
ways do, with skill, with bravery and success;
they did all that was expected OF them-their
previous reputation rendered it impossible to
do more. On the other side the volunteers
drew their maiden swords. Never before had
they experienced a grasp stronger than that OF
friendship; now they stretched forth their
hands and grappled with death, On, on pres
sed these unfledged warriors-these men of
civil life, these citizen soldiers: their bright
blades flashed before them like tongues of
flame. Up the hill side, through the streets
swept by the raking cannon, over barricade
and battery, their advancing banners, stream
ing like thunder-clouds against the wind, nes-
tied in the battle-breeze like the pinions Of an
eagle bouncing on his quarry. All know the
glorious result. The enemy, though he fought
bravely for his fresides and his affairs, and in
the midst of his supposed impregnable defen-
ces, shrurk from such fiery valor. The day
ways ours, and the Republic acknowledges its
debt of gratitude TO the gallant volunteers.
Welcome, then, thrice welcome, %victors Of
IT. Monterey!
ed But the fortune of the wal determined thai
1T your conduct and valor should be tested upor
nd a yet bloodier field. At Buena Vista you met
'er face to face, the genius Of the battle, even al
OF he appeared to the Warrior Bard
Lo! where the giant on the mountain stands
To- His blood-red tresses deep'ning in the sun,
me With death-shot glowing in his fiery hands
MS And eye that scorcheth all it glares upon
m Restless it rolls-now 6xed,-and now anon
Flashing afar; and at his iron feet
Or Destruction covers, TO mark what deeds ar
tic done.
SOL Under that hot gaze, in the fierce confic
MS where desperate courage was put to its utmos
ley proof, all fame unites in saying that you GOV
un- cred Yourselves with immortal honor. In
on' pitched battle against brave and veteran troop
feir outnumbering you four to one, during tw
DAYS YOU made success full contest-you stoo
var a living dyke, and again and again poured upo
oil you in vain the fiery torrent. "'Twere Wort
me- ten years of peaceful life'' to have seen yc
lbs! repulsing the audacious squadrons of the en-
IS, l my, as, with pennons flying and serried lance
they came laundering upon your unfinchii
ore ranSs. Often IN the changing currents OF 4
are moody fight, when the fortunes of the da
No rent from our standard, huttered like torn ca
able vass in the gale, you seized and fastened
the back in its proper place. But we should do
am Justice did we not remember on this occasi
hem those glorious comrades without whose co-oF
They ration your valor would have proved in vain
you | mean the artillery, those true sons OF thu
grew der, who on that day seemed to scorn to |
Grey, loves counterleils, and hurled his genui
hose bolts! Never were cannon served with grea
'hlch GOODNESS or more fatal precision. AT each G
zL..oa Db,o1o o,Iunano wera ant down
= "Even as they fell, in files they lay,
eio" Like the mowers grass at the close OF d
ish'y When his work is done on the level plat
those
% Honor, then, to your brave comrades!
l.a, wish they were here to share your welcol
heroes of Buena Vista.
W. But you have still another claim upon
nore regard-the love and confidence of your ge
raj. To have your names associated with
~ is itself renown. He has achieved a wo
,;,orn wide fame. The whole nation looks upon
Va with admiration and affection, and twenty
shano lions Of people love and confde in him,
right well does the brave old man desc
M y these great honors. A true patriot, he
ial az never obtruded himself upon the couni
stible Wneh ms services were neeoeu' 'nen ne io"'
upon 90 'neh. lne naiOh Ane" no : w
it possessed until the emergencies OF the
: nor year developed II. Now we know we b
o,or,I that gift Of a century-a general cool, ST
cious, prudent, brave and humane; caPaci
ii H. in resources. simple in habits, modest in n
!, first ners, and, above all, possessed Of the rare
of pacity OF lh'uslhg .'O -
y sus- " indomltaole c9u.ase : s
bly, IL These are the qualiHes wniVn : :
They Gen. Taylor and his armies invincible, I
:. ond are Of the true old Roman sort-such as m
flock have belonged 70 . consul = '"' !,