The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-08-01
A CONTRAST.-HERO OF BUENA VISTA.
HERO OF HIJLL,S SURRENDER.

accordance with historical truth; the contrast
a striking one
On the 2lst of February, l647, when the
countless army Of Santa Anna had taken up
their position at Buena Vista, TO vanquish the
Spartan band of citizen soldiers under the
command of General Taylor, this pure and brave
man thus wrote in private letter TO friend:
'.This may be the last communication you
will receive from me; have been stripped o.
the government of regular troops, and reduced
in volunteers; and thus stripped, and at the
mercy OF the foe, have been expected to retreat
or resign; but shall do neither. / care not
for myself, but feel deeply for the noble sol
diers who are about to be sacrificed for their
country--we shall stand still and give them
battle, relying on just Providence for right
result"
Wo do not quote this extract to eulogise Its
brave author; but to present contrast furnish
ed by an incident in the history of Gen. Cass.
While the American army was stationed al
Windsor, Gen, Cass, accompanied by Col. Mil
Ter, was permitted by Gen. Hull, 10 make
reconnaissance towards Fort Maiden. In ap-
preaching the Canards river, party OF British
troops were observed on the bridge. These
troops were fired upon, and speedily reiterated
| in confusion. "lnstead of pursuing them, Gen.
message 10 Gen. Hull asking him what he
should do, Gen. Hull replied that he could
remain or return, just as he pleased-he would
assume no responsibility in the Meter Gen.
Cass returned, although. as his biographcrs adj
init, il he had followed up his advantage Fort
Maiden would have "fallen at once"
This is the contrast: When Gen. Taylor was
at Buena Vista, 1t was very decidedly intima
ted to him that he ought TO abandon his posi-
lion, and fall back upon Monterey But he
knew that this would be disgrace to himself,
and disaster to the army. To retreat would be
to open the entire valley of the Rio Grande TO
the Mexican hordes under Santa Anna. He
therefore determined to ''SiGad still and gipe
them battle" "RETREAT was word which
could not be found in his vocabulary. The re-
suit is known to the world. The battle Of
Buena Vista was fought and won, and the val
lev of the Rio Grande was held by the Amer-
can army. The mischief which would have
resulted from allowing the hosts of Mexicans
which were whipped at that great battle, 10
scatter themselves over the vast plains occu
pied by our army--io attack the several feebly
garrisoned posts in detail--can be appreciated
By military men; but not fully BY civilians.
But how was it when Gen. Cass was simi
larly situated? Fort Maiden was the Key to
the western district of Upper Canada. Ii was
TO that region what Buena Vista was TO the
valley OF the Rio Grande. This was known to
Gen. Cass. Indeed the importance of its Col
ture had been the subject of deliberation be-
fore Council of War; and during the Coun
Icil, Col. Cass professed himself very anxious
to Iced on his troops. But he was bolder i'm
Council than on the field. When he might
have pursued the retreating enemy, and reH-
dered his name glorious as a Hero, he did
.l.at( Ia
circumstances: he RETREATED. Ii is true he
was not fully empowered to lay seige TO Forl
j Malden-nor was he forbidden to do SO. H
was left with discretionary powers; as was
Gen. Taylor at Buena Vista. He could re-
treat or advance; as he pleased If he advan
ced--if he had followed up the advantages
which he obtained at the Bridge-"Malden
would have fallen" aud the subsequent disas-
tiers which feel upon our army-the disgracefu
surrender of Detroit-the possession of Michi-
ganby the Briiish--and the expensive but glori-
Gus battle of tee Thames-would have been
; avaIded.
That we may not be accused Of exaggeratior
we quote from The Argus's Biography of Gen
Clss. In the Bird number of that Biography
we find the following
1.-The only body OF regular troops in garrison
at Maiden, with the MALTA and Indians, haC
battle, and the town and garrison itself would
have fallen an easy prey to the advancing
troops, before they could possibly have been
succored from Forts George and Erie on the
distant Niagara. 1t required but commando
in chief Of energy, decision and courage TO
have prosecuted ii to a triumphant result"
'''rhe lste John kenzie, ESQ.,, of Chicago
then prisoner at Maiden, informed the writer
in 1921, that there were no troops, but those
whom Col. Cass had engaged, aud that the
town, If it had been attacked, would have fall
len at once.
Without following up these extracts to-day
with the remarks which they suggest, we ash
the reader 10 contrast the facts they embody,
with those connected with the history of the
battle Of Buena Vista. Gen. Taylor knew The
importance of preventing the enemy from pas
sing into the valley of the Rio Grande, and al
; though his superiors had intimated TO him L al
he should retreat" he would do no such thing
He "stood still"--waited the approach of the
enemy-fought and whipped him.
Gen Cass knew the importance OF obtain
ing the possession OF Fort Maiden. He knew
too, that the citizens aud soldiers in the For
were i'll panic. He had pretended. few
days previously, TO be very anxious TO capture
the Fort. He was now at the head Of a strong
detachment of brave men-mostly regulars un
Z der the gallant Col Miller. He had obtained
; an advantage at the Bridge. 1t was ioptiona
with him whether to advance or retreat. Il
he had advanced, Fort Maiden would have fall
len an easy prey to the troops"-and Michigan
would have been saved from the pollutin,
: tread of the enemy. But he ANONYMOUSLY re
treated, because Gen. Hull did not peremptori
ly command him 10 advance; and series o
: degradations followed, which Were only wipeC
out By Gen. Harrison at the decisive and me
e morable battle of the Thames.
Let those who seek to glorify Gen. Cass a.
1 a Harn- draw yell nxer Ibis incids.,t ;r, n;