Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-02

political position of affairs at MEXICO Such NAV
be the state of things that even defeat is presr.
able alternative to the results of inacton. If this
be not, however the case, he must wilfuly intend
his countrys ruin, or be Utter subject for an asv
Ium than the command of an army. After hi. re-
cent perienced AT Buena Vista-not to speak of
the experience of long life-he must have been
perfectly aware, when he threw up his entrench-
ments in the face of Gen. SCOTS advancing force,
that if he attempted to defend them he was lost.
He had ample time to choose his own ground. and
ne does not appear to have done SO with any Ps-
cuar military skill.
| -" There does not seem to have been any such
great local advantages about the heights of Cerfo
Gordo as should have entitled them to the dsni-
~ ofthe 1hermcpylae of Mexico. True it is that
the ground is described by Gen. Scott as being
broken by mountains and deep chasms, but the
field of operations covered many miles. Moore
than this, in one point of Santa Annals line of de-
fence. there was tower upon height, by the
capture Of which the retreat Of his troops would
be effectualIy cut off in any direction. Yet against
SO probably contingency he made no kind of
preparation whatever and accordingly in his re-
treat to Jalapa. twenty-five miles distant from the
scene of action, Gen. Scott Informs the Secretary
at War that the troops under his command had
added greatly to the number Of prisoners, wounded
and killed.
"The courage displayed by the Anglo.Ameri-
cans throughout the action is unqueStionable, and
yet it does not appear TO have been bloody one
on either side. The official return gives as The
total fhe Anglo. neric loss 43 killed and 265
wounded. The loss of The Mexicans in killed and
wounded is rated by Gen. Scott only at about $50
on the field of battle, to which number must Of
course be added that of those who were cut down
on the march to Jalapa. The opinion entertained
by the United States officers Of the powers of re-
sistance of their opponents may be Inferred from
Gen. SCOTS orders issued to the various generals
of division on the d,y preceding the action"
We find the following humorous sketch of
the examination of cease" named Stephen
Dwyer, in the St. Louis Reveile. Stephen
was bro't before his honor, the Mayor. to
whom he was we'll known, for his old offence,
Drunkenness
well, Stephen, you have. been at it again"
said his honor
"Troth yer right. says Stephen, "and be
the same taken its mighty hard to keep from it.
The Taste drap in the world bothers me nova
days"
'You should sign The temperance pledge"
says his honor.
"Och, bedad, I'd done it long ago. yer wor-
ship" was his answer, "ef could write, but
bad luck to the school master that me mother
bargained wild for an edication, the BLACKBOARD
left the writin' part out entirely"
THAT has no doubt been a cause of much
trouble to you," said the court.
"Faix, it was like LAWN the balance whale
out of repater; I've gone wrong liver SINCE -
said Dryer
81 will send you out to Mr. Condor, and
see if he can regulate you," said the Mayor.
i" It's no use, yer HONOR said the prisoner
Z" sure hasn't he tried it twinty times, an here
We see I'm runnin' on in the ould coorse. Pve
learned all he can tache long ago"
81 think you had better go out and get a
finishing touch," said his honor, and he &C.
cordingly affixed an X opposite Mr.. Dryers
name.