The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-09-19

Ienemy. Various officers have had the
credit of its selection, but whatever partic-
ular credit is due,ls certainly due to the
Commander-in~Chief. who fought this bat
tie. The Mexicans themselves had fought
battle there Santa Anna knew the
ground So well that he ordered his Gen.
(Minon) TO take and keep possession OF 1t,
in order to attack our rear. Gen. MIN
on got into our rear as ordered but when
he reached Buena Vista he found US in
possession of it. The Odd of Feb, 1850
men, mostly raw troops, opposed to 10000
ofthe enemy,was certainly not a very en-
couraging day. We did not feel quite so
happy or SO wei, as over this bountiful la
bic tonight. We thought of home, and of
families and friends; and our chance of
death was much better, we thought, than
of ever seeing them again. For several
days previous, Gen. Taylor was constants
ly engaged in making his arrangements,
and in writing home. 1t is said also, that
he made has ,ciH But he never shrank from
his duty. I may PERISH he thought, but
| will perish in maintaining the honor of
my country! | have to run terrible risk
in assuming the responsibility of making
this onward march; but it is the only course
that will save my army. TO stay in Mon>
terey was to be sacrificed by the over
wheIming force of the enemy. To save
all. must here risk all =
The battle was fought,you know the re-
suit ,-but you never can know the influ-
ence that the presence of General Taylor
had upon the army. He alone so it has
seemed 10 me, could have inspired by
presence, every soldier in the army,as the
Volunteers were inspired. The conf
dence in him was complete. He had COM
manded Volunteers before, and had been
successful with them. He had never sur
rendered. He had never been whipped
and the idea got abroad that he never could
be. When maneuvering my pieces ath-
wart the gullies,I cite this as an example
of that confidence saw clouds of dust "a
bout two miles from me- was painfully
anxious. thought General Minon had
fallen upon our rear, and attacked our de-
pots, land to meet him was my first thought.
A man came galloping up through the dust
into 81 ght, screaming old lack is comingr
Every soldier gave involuntary utterance
To his feelings. Old Tack came,-and in
fifteen minutes the tide of battle turned.
-Four thousand FIVE hundred men rcpulsed
twenty thousand, land to the influence of
that presence, under God, i think am alive
here to dine with you this day.
A Gentleman. How often did you dis
charge pieces that day
Col. Bragg. About $50 rounds to each
gun.
Another Gentipman. How near was
the enemy TO your pieces, at any time?
Col Bragg. Within fifty yards at one
time.
Another. Where was General Tay,
lori
COl Bragg. Within forty yards.
Col. Bragg closed his remarks with say
ing Understand me, gentlemen, l am a
soldier and no politician. know Genes
raj Taylor only as soldier and man. l
speak of him only as the COMMANDMENTS
Chief of our army in Mexico. have moth
ing to do with his politics,o or yours. 1t is
the duty of a soldier cheerfully to obey
you put into power. could
not help speaking ofmy Commander when
thus toasted, AS l have been by you, for ser>
vices under him. have nothing TO do
with politics.
The remarks of Col. Bragg, which were
more extended than we have been able TO
give from memory-(and oftheir entire ae-
curacy,as from memory we give them, there
mus be doubt were received with great
applause, and with the most profound inter-
est. His manner was modest in the ex-
treme, and in no respect is there any sims
larity between his character and his name.
He is North Carolinian by birth, with
bright, black, restless keen eye, that would
seem to indicate the best sort of bright
Artillery officer. His figure is slight, and
one capable of great activity in the field.