The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-09-23


being in New York city last week, adnnerwas
given him at the Astor House on Thursday ev-
ening by large number of citizens and stran-
gers, among whom were many gentlemen oil
distinction. Col. Bragg. on being toasted for
the brilliant services of his flying artillery at
Buena Vista, made speech, brief sketch oil
which we copy from the New York Express OF
the following day. Col. Bragg has always been
a Democrat, and he is claimed as Democrat
still, but like tens of thousands of other Demo
Gratis, he will vote for Gen. Taylor
We invite particular attention TO this beau
tiful speech. Who can read it without the
deepest and lofiest and most fervent admira-
ton of the character of Gen. Taylor? What
Democrat can read it and not feel shame and
indigna ton at thought of the low and base and
utterly disgraceful calumnes which all the ed
itors and demagogues Of his party are daily
heaping upon the character OF the most extra
ordinary man of the age, a man TO whom the
American republic is indebted for mighty
and most brilliant portion of her immoral fame
and Slory.-LOu. Jour.
Col. Bragg. modestly rising, and in some en-
ba rrassment, said, it was we'll known that he
was only soldier, and that therefore no fitting
speech could be expected from him in reply
For whatever merit gentlemen chose TO award
him, or whatever reputation, ifany, he had UNI
deserve eddy, the whole of it was due to the gal
liant General under whom he served, and 10 the
soldiers i'm the service he commanded. nay
more, for the brilliancy OF that service he was
indebted to the training Of the lamented Ring
gold and Ridgely, from whose hands he had re-
ceived the corps, in that full efficiency that en-
abed it to immortalize itself on the perious
and bloody field of Buena Vista.
To the General n-Chief his acknowledge
ments were especially due. He inspired the
whole army with valor and confidence By his
presence, not only at Buens Vista but from
the opening OF the war on the Rio Grande.-
1t is almost impossible for you, gentlemen, he
said, TO understand the character of that man
as commander of an army. There is reso-
LUTON, firmness, determination i'm his man
ner, and in his purposes, that go great ways
in leading men to victory. Ii was never bet
ter illustrated than OH the field of Palo Alto.
He told Major Brown, when he left him with
his small force opposite Matamoros. "Main.
tain your position; l loiH, will try to be
hack, TWILL be back on the 10th. Expect me
then. and maintain your position" Everybo
dy that knew him knew he would be back, il
alive TO come. The army returned TO Point
Isabel, as you know. On the 9Th, they fought
at Palo Alto, and. when night came on, they
bivouacked in the open field, and amid the
grass, with not a tent over them, the Genera
himself wrapped in his blanket, and many,
can assure you, in not little doubt and gloom
H.. IL 4 A f.n1
they could whip three times their number and
they The best troops in Mexico We had no
tried our mettle, measured weapons will
them. Many an eye did not close that night
Ringgold had been slain. A bloody day wa,
before them, and many, il the army went on
were sure TO bite the dust. But nobody knew
or could find out what General Taylor intended
TO do. There he lay, wrapped in his blanket
and sleeping. except when disturbed by officer.
asking for orders. Some were anxious to as
certain his intentions. His only answer was
Tell the men TO sleep. Keep quiet. SleeI
is the main thing necessary Two or three
Officers were particularly anxious 10 know
: whether he intended to 60 OH or hold his posi-
ton. But the only satisfaction that could b,
got was "sleep." He disclosed to none of then
his intentions. There was prevailing opin
ion that i! was too perilons march TO go on
But Gen. Taylor, towards morning, dislurbet
by some person demanding orders, replied, sal
low the men 10 rest. Ii is time enough at sun
RISE" Then, turning over in his blanket, he
said to an officer near. "My mind is made up
my mind is made up" But nobody knew hou
his mind was made up; and yet they who knew
him knew il his mind was made up it was nc
use TO try to changeit.
In the morning a council of war was sum
moned and there were eleven officers present
three only of whom advised advance. Mind
| cast no censure upon any one A diff renee
OF opinion, under such circGm & 7ces, nigh
have been expected. But tbs wi knew The
power of the light artillery, and Il seen i
play that day, had confidence that /, ould clea
way for the army back to Fcrt Brown. "Olt
i. lack, for that is the name We call him, replied
, after the consultation had broken up, 1--WE vii
/, advance in fifteen minutes" and forward the,
, marched to Resaca de la Palma, the result q
which you all know. Old lack kept his wor,
, to Maj. Brown, but alas the brave and lans u
ted Major had received his death wound
So al Buena Vista the personal chara n
Gen. Taylor had like influence on the army
When the War Department deemed il ncces
, sary, in order to form column TO invade Mex
leo via Vera Cruz, TO take his regulars fror
:, him, he was sure that Santa Anna would at
tack him. 81 am the weak point" he ofe
/. said, land know he will attack p,e." But
. determined to defend his position, and, in or
= der the best way 10 defend it, TO advance. Gen
= Santa Anna has taken hundred, shall save
!. thousand. Gen. Taylor, kept well Informed G
the approach of the enemy by Gen. Wool
scouts, moved on TO Satillo, then on 10 Agu
Nueva. 1t was proposed at one time to NEE
the enemy in advance of Aqua Nueva, but as
certaininS by his engineers that their positio
could be turned, he resolved TO fail back to Blu
ena Vista as the enemy approached him. 81
y ena Vista is a military position that any sol