Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-29

try was full of such speculations, and the
anxiety became, If possible, still more in
tense, when it was suddenly put an end TO
by fresh arrival from the seat of war,
with the astounding account of two marvel
lous victories. Palo Alto & Reseca de la Pal
ma how those names sounded over the land
as with a cang of clarionsi palo Alto and
Reseca de la Palmal aud these two Mex
lean names were suddenly the joy and hap
piness of the whole American people,
There was no loss, there was no dishonor;
the army was not only safe, but covered
with glory. The hosts of Arista had iied;
Point Isabel and Fort Brown were perma-
nently relieved; and Matamoros and all the
Mexican towns of the Rio Grande remained
at tue discretion aud mercy Of the Ameri-
can commander. a@NH @ssea
!, 1t was undoubtedly the previous anxiety
and alarm which gave such unusual depth
to the impression made ON the national feel
ings by these two victories. But, intrinsic
ally, and in every aspect, they We're great
events, full of a strange aud most sublime
interest. They settled, as il were, the whole
question of the result of the Mexican war
there never was doubt of il from that
moment; and they satisfied the country and
convinced Europe that the military energies
of the American people had not suffered
| from long peace and from devotion TO COM
naerce and the arts of industry--ihat, in fact,
nothing was easier or more natural hnn for
Americans TO follow the LESSONS of WASH
iington, sin peace prepare for war;" and so
be always in readiness for every exigency
OF fate. The history of the battles of Palo
Alto aud Reseca de Ia Palua will ever be
as captivating To American minds as nation
al hymns are, full at once Of music, and the
associations of national glory.
Was il not the g boolging" system of tao
ties, which General Taylor resolved to en-
nloy even against Arisia, with all his might
Of armed men, occupying defensive posi-
tons selected by that general himselfs---
| Nothing. was ever heard of, in the history
Of the war, more daring than that march of
Taylor, on the Sth and 9th of May, TO Fort
Brown, in which, 10 procced at all, he was
obliged to charge right upon and over the
lines of Arista's army Of upwards of six
thousand men. Ii was at noon. on the Sth,
that Arista, in complete order of battle,
posted at Palo Alto, and occupying the
whole road 10 Fort Brown, was perhaps
surprised---if not actually confounded-by
the return of General Taylor, whom, four
days before, in the Matamoros newspaper,
some Mexican idiot--perhaps the General
OF the North himself--had charged "with
flying in so cowardly manner to shut him
selfup nj the Point.n There he was again
with his little army--eightecn hundred in-
fantry against Arista's four thousand--two
hundred morse against TWO thousand--en-
Numbered, too, with a train of no less than
three hundred wagons, carrying the supplies
for Fort Brown; there he was, indeed, ihat
" cowardly American General, who was
soon, Of course, brought 10 a halt by the
majesty and terror of the Mexican arms!
Did he intend to run away a second timer
Poor foolish Mexcansl Al two O'Clock the
Americans were in Misunderstanding n
No, advancing TO the charge, advancing in
coed order, firmly and resoIntely--untl il
was necessary 10 bring the Mexican cannon
into requisition to compel the fearless des-
peradoes to halt at seven hundred PAGES, and
unlmbor their own artillery. But why
should we repeat the off-told tale, now fa-
milar to every boy, nay to every girl, in the
United Statess All the boasts, the proini-
SEES, the efforts of the Mexican ';lrief came
to naught; volleys Of grape--siratagens---
and charges of horse were alike IN vain; and
at night-fall, the hosts of Arsta retired be-
hind the shelter of the chaparral, and the
Americans slept VIGOROUSLY on ine iIeiu VI
battle. But the battle was not yet over
Mortified, but enrnged and reinforced with
mere troops, in number greatly exceeding
his losses, Arista ftll back 10 the strong, tie
gerry strong position Of Reseca de Ia Palma;
where be hoped to enjoy a great success,
but, ia reality, only awaited his own final
and overwhelming overthrow.
d