Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-30
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
A SPEECH FROM GEN. TAYLOR.


recent visit to that place, were followed up on Sa-
turday week (the 10th nstanD by Barbecue. given
to him by the citizens Of Harrison county, Mssis-
sippi, ON which day an Address, every way fitting
the occasion, was made to him by the Hon. JOHN
HENDERSON, in behalf of the assembled company,
in which the hazardous character and brilliant re-
suit Of the Battle of Buena Vista particularly
dwelt upon with happy allusion to the share
which the Mississippi Volunteers bore in that
conflict
To this Address General TAYLOR replied in a
speech, said to have been the longest that he ever
made, which we find reported in the New Orleans
Picayune as follows:
It is with emotions Of ordinary embarrassment, Mr..
Speaker that find myself called upon to respond to the
dial reception with which have just been met by the auho
rites Of Pass Christian and the citizens Of Harrison county
cannot indeed expect do justice the occason and feel
especially less able to offer in adequate terms my acknow
Judgments for the very ateng language in which this greet
ing has been rendered by the talented citizen who has just adj
dressed me- / only, therefore, offer you my warmes
thanks and you that the style Of my reception here
particularly grateful to my feelings This simple and repub
can manner of meeting my felow-citzens carries back
TO the pleasant of my early e was reared from
infancy to early manhood in the Wes-among Of the
primitive tastes and republican simplicity We there
frequently occasions like this to exchange freely our
opinions National and State affairs and devise
for the defence of borders which at that day the General
Government sometimes unable protect On these
casions often collected, too. those of lion hearts
and iron who had only aided the Father Of
Country in achieving independence and stood by his side
in many of his fought battles, but who afterwards filled
with honor country conspicuous places in egsa
N. 7
in the simple and republican habits happily illustrated in
this cene and do not expect change them in my old days
You will then understand when You again that
the Of my reception here is agreeable to my
feelings and than could be all the pomp and pageay
of reception at the splendid Court of Europe
The complimentary language in Which you have been
pleased alade my military services which embrace
period Of than forty years, and especially to the ac-
tons in which have been engaged during that tme COM
mencng with the defence Of Fort HARRISON 1912, and end
ing with the battle Of Buena VISTA has awakened in the
grateful emotions. feel particularly graed at the just
tribute Of praise which you have paid, in speaking of these
services, the gallant whom commanded those
casons and to whom feel deeply indebted for
claim nothing the good fortune Of being the leader OF
such the occasions referred and their zeal in
sustaining me- and their bold hearts and strong
indebted for victories The in which you have
and my being left, it might seem, at the mercy Of the
enemy, just before the battle of Buena VISTA renders pro-
per- probably, that should make few remarks in relation
that matter | received at Victoria, while on my way
Tampco-a movement which had advised the War Depart
ment should make, for certain order from the
Geneanchief of the army, stripping Of the greater por
ten of my command and particularly Of regular troops and
volunteers well instructed This order received by
with much surprise, and must confess produced the strong
est feelings of regret modification, and disappointment,
knew hs General Santa Anna within striking distance
OF my line, with army Of 5000, probably the best ap
pointed collected in Mexico After putting of
the troops then with Victoria route for Tampco-
the larger portion of the commands Monterey and Salo
having been already withdrawn for the ultimate destna
toni instructed to return the former place. where
expected would remain the defensive with the small
force then under my orders.
few days after reaching that point learned that the
greatest alarm prevailed among the advance sato, in
consequence of the capture Encarnacion of Majors Boand
and Gaines with their party Of about eighty picked men from
the Arkansas and Kentucky cavay-folowed few days
afterwards by the capture Of detachment OF picked
der Capt Heady, also Of the Kentucky cavalry About the
time received communication from Gen. Wool, then
commanding at Saltio, urging to join him with all the
troops at my disposal, stating that Gen. Santa Anna at
least preparing, if he already en- route strike
blow at Saltlo Immediately joined Gen. Wool with 700
500 men, and few days afterwards concentrated all the
troops, which generally encamped by regiments and
took my position Aqua Nueva in order that all the Off
might become better acquainted with each other and their
duty, and that generally thorough system of discipline
and instruction could be adopted prepare all hands for
vice. While here, was advised by the War Department
and the Genealnchie to occupy Monterey This advice
believed then, as do now, given at hazard and in
ignorance Of my situation, of that Of the enemy and Of the
country declined to adopt il, and determined to fight the
Mexican General Immediately after he crossed the desert
y,which lay just in my 'front.' and before he could have time
TO refresh and reoganzc his army, which knew would be
much won-out and dsodered by march Of $50 miles
this DESERT without sufficient provisions and supplies, and with
great scarcity Of water In this determination, far
know was most cordially sustained by the officers Of my
command. About two weeks after taking my position at
Aqua Neuva, asceaned by my advanced parties that
Santa Anna at hand with his army. We then fell back
to Buena Vista, ranch six miles in front of SalIo
where took up strong position, and where could easily
communicate with depot in the latter place. Upon this
ground determined to give battle. The enemy arrived in
front the morning Of the ed and summoned surrender
at discretion about o'clock of the day. The Summons
declined and o'clock that day the battle Of Buena
Vista commenced The result of that affair known you
all, and shall not therefore, trouble you with its details
All tried to discharge their duty to their country that