The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-20
vol. 5.--NO. 22.

- ~ - - - ~ ~ 49,
fully the citizens Of Saragossa, and other
Spanish towns, eo-operated against the
bcslgeing French armies. We understand
that though II was the urgent desire Of
the Mexican commander that the citizens
especially the women, should leave the
town, but few IN fact left. This is deep
ly to be regretted. Many deplorable
scenes must ensue from the bombarding
or stormlng a town where are gathered
many innocent women and children. The
Mexican women are somewhat remarka-
bic Tor their bravery. In this, as in all the
other higher qualities Of humanity. they
are vastly superior to the men. In the
battles of Monterey and Buena Vista
they were every where, in the very midst
of contcnding hosts, conspicuous for their
devotion and self possessed courage in
administering to the wounded, and cheer
ing the last Pickering thoughts Of the DIV
ing soldier. Il would give a dark time
to the brllliancy of any victory we might
achieve before Vera Cruz, if helpless
women and children were mingled with
the victims OF the fierce storm we are a.
bout to let loose on the devoted city. Let
1t be borne IN mind, however, that our
General, to avoid such sad results of war.
has offered a free passage through lis
camp to all the nOn-combatants of the CT
ty, and has indeed solicited the departure
OF the wOmen anu children.
In vigorously defending Vera Cruz the
Mexlcans are influenced more bya pride
OF character and a sense Of shame for
their previous defeats, than by any patri-
otto impulses. or by any hope of succeed
ing in the conflict. They fight as the du-
ellist does, on a point Of honor, and even
II they are worsted, are well satisfied
with the show at least of courage and Chi
valry. Defeat to them is a matter OF
course, but It's modification are soon for
gotten, if 1t has been achieved at great
sacrifice Of life. Thus we find Santa
Anna, after a p~recipitate fight from the
bloody field OF Buena Vista, claiming the
victory over Taylor, chiefly on the ground
of the heavy loss he inflicted on the lat
ter, and on the "brave charge ofhis irwin
chile soldiers" 1t is a victory with the
Mexicans TO SHOW FIGHT against our
troops.
Ii is not known in what vav General
Scott viii conduct his operations around
Vera CruZ-whether he will conten. him
self with the UNREASONABLE honor of 2
long siege, and starving the poor Vera
CruZanos into terms, or whether he will
cast the hazard Of his die upon the bloody
arbitrament of a storm, and revive the
I giories of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane
under the heavy fire Of San Juan d'UIua.
The latter plan will be the most brilliant
and glorious, and we think the least des-
t%ructive and dangerous to our troops
The delay Of a siege, besides the casual
ties incident to the exposed portion Of our
lines, which are even now within range
Of the guns of the castle, and which we
presume are to be advanced still nearer
to the city, VIII bring our troops in con-
tact with a foe more formidable than Mex
lean valor and proves. The voM1To
would thin our ranks faster than all the
guns of San Juan, and Vera Cruz would
find in this scourge a wall OF defence
more mvulnerable than the sevenfold
walls of Troy. TO carry the city by
storm Will, we think, the most Iudicious
and effective mode of operations, and the
one most suited to the character Of our
troops. The valor and energy of our raw
volunteers will anguish under a long
siege, IN 4 warm climate and exposed po-
sition. In a combined attack on the city
they would equal any troops in the world.
When Vera Cruz is taken il viii, we
presume be %garrisoned, and the body of
our troops will be marched to the high and
beautiful town of Jalapa, situate about
thirty miles from the seacoast, but seven
ty miles by the road from Vera Cruz
Here they can be maintained in health,
and well supplied with all the comforts
and necessaries of life. II a proper decI-
pine is preserved, as we are sure will be
the ease If Gen. Scott remains in COM
mand, these troops will be in fine eoudi-
ton TO march towards the capital in the
fall. 1t will be necessary, however to
impose a tight rein upon eur volunteers
when encampeJ in the lovely valley of
Jalapa,, or lured BY the influences Of the
climate, and removed from the restraints of
a wsll-ordered society, they may share
the fate Of H4ani5aI's veterans when en-
camped at Canine, who, worn out by lux
ury and dissipation, fell an essy prey to
the wary enemy. But We trust that
these dangers may be avoided by the
speedy termination of this unfortunate
war. Oar ~unfOiuate and obstinate enemy
will. we trust, awake from his delusion,
and accept Of the oEerturcs so often pro-
ferred by us, and unite in terminating so
destructive a war. All the glory and
briIliancy achieved by either nation can
never
'Blazon the evildesd or conssera.e The
crime
Of a war between two neighbsring Rs