Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-09-28
x Soldiers Testimony.

peals directly to the best feelings of the heart
The absence Of the finished rhetoric and pompous
defamation, which decorate the displays of the
forum, gives 10 the language Of the soldier fresh
ness and fragrance, which to us-a part of whose
profession it is not only to hear, but to read long
winded harangues-is really inviting. -
We have been particularly pleased with recent
effort Of the distinguished Captain Bragg-for
though brevetted Lieutenant Colonel, no Off
cial rank can ever confer higher honor upon him
than that which belongs to Captain Bragg-at an
impromptu dinner given to him by party of gen.
tlemen in the city of New York
/. After responding with becoming modesty to the
complimentary toast to HIMSELF he proceed to mar
rate many interesting incidents connected with the
battles on the Rio Grande. as illustrative of the
character of the unbounded confidence ofhis troops
in their commander .
His account of the battle of Buena Vista is
graphic and eloquent:
SO at Buena Vista the personal character of
General Taylor had like influence on tine army.
When the War Department. deemed it necessary,
in order TO form column to invade Mexico via
Vera Cruz, to take his regulars from him, he was
sure that Santa Anna would attack him. 81 am
the weak point" he often said, "a and know he
will attack ME-" But he determined to defend his
position, and in order the best way to defend it, to
advance General Taylor. kept well informed of
the approach the enemy, by Gen. Wool's scouts,
moved on to Saltllo then on to Aqua Nueva. 1t
was proposed at one time to meet the enemy in
advance of Aqua Nueva, but ascer,aining by his
engineers that their position could be turned, he
resolved to fall back to Buena Vista, as the enemy
approached him. Buena Vista is military posi-
tion that any soldiers eye would select for de-
fence. Tono particular person is the credit OF the
selection, dne,--for it has been said that, even
woman picked it out as place to repulse anene-
my. Various officers have had the credit of the
selection, but whatever particular credit is due,
certainly due to the commandei-in-c chief, who
fought the battle.
The Mexicans themselves had fought battle
there Santa Anna knew the ground SO well, that
he ordered his general (Minon) to take and keep
possession of it, in order to attack our rear. Gen
Minon got into our rear, as ordered but when he
reached Buena Vista he found US in possession of
it. The 22d of February, $500 men. mostly raw
troops, opposed to 10000 of the enemy. was cer-
tainly not very encouraging day We did not
feel quite SO happy or so well, as over this boun-
tiful table tonight. We thought of home, and of
families and friends and our chance of death was
much better, we thought, than fever seeing them
again. For several days previous General Tay-
lor was constantly engaged in making his arrange
menfs, and in writing home. 1t is said also. that
he made hrs viA. But he never shrank from his
duty. : | may PERISH was his thought. but
will perish in maintaining the honor of my coun-
try have to run a terrible risk in assuming the
responsibility of making this onward march; bpt
i. is the only course that will save my army. To
stay in Monterey was to be sacrificed by the over
whelming force of the enemy. To save all,
must risk all e
The battle was fought-you know the result
but you never can know the Influence that the pre-
sence of General Taylor had upon the army. He
alone, so it has seemed to me, could have inspired
by his presence, every soldier in the army, as the
volunteers were inspired. The confidence in him
was complete. He had commanded volunteers
before, and had been successful with them He
had never surrendered. He had never been whip
ped and the idea got abroad that he never could
be. When manauvring my pieces athwart the
gullies, & cite this as an example Of that conf
dence.) saw clouds Of dust about two miles from
me-, l was painfully anxious. thonght Gener-
al Minon had fallen upon our rear, attacked our
depots, and to meet him was my first thought.
A man came galloping up through the. dust into
sight, screaming" old Zack is coming" I" Every
soldier gave involuntary uilefance to his feelings.
Old Zack came and in fifteen minutes the tide of
the battle turned.' -Four thousand FIVE hundred
men repalsed twenty thousand@ahd it is to the
influence ofthat presence, under Cod, think, thai
T am alive here to dine with YOU this day.
A Geatiehaaain-H often did you discharge
YOUR pieces that day
Col Bragg.-About two hundred and fifty rounds
to each gun. aeN 8aE 5Rhaas
Another. Gentleman near was the enemy
to your, pieces at any one time ,s,s@s
I, Col. Bragg Within fifty yards at one time. aI
.Ano,Aer--Where was Gen. Taylor bsH sasf
s8anae 4el