Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-08-03
A coNTRAsT.-HERo OF BUENA VISTA.


We copy the following from the Albany
Evening Journal. The statements are In strict
accordance with historical ruth; the Contrast
a striking one
On the 2lst of February, 1S47, 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 by
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 l 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Wo do not quote this extract to eulogise its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 at
Windsor, Gen. Cass, accompanied by Col. Mil
Ter, was permitted, by Gen. Hull, to make
reconnaissance towards Fort Maiden. In APP
preaching the Canards river, party of British
troops were observed on the bridge. These
troops were fred upon, and speedily retreated
in confusion. "lnstead of pursuing them, Gen.
Cass bivousck on the BRIDGE" and sent a
message TO 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 biogra pliers adj
NIT, if he had followed up his advantage fort
Maiden would have ''fallen at once"
he ha, To I'll
at Buena Vista, 1T was very decidedly intima-
ted to him that he ought to abandon his posi-
ton, 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 ''staad still and giDe
them battle" "RETREAT was a 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
ley of the Rio Grande was held by the Ameri-
can army. The mischief which would have
resulted from allowing the hosts Of Mexicans
which were whipped at that great battle, to
scatter themselves over the vast plains occu-
pied by our army--to attack the several feebly
garrisoned posts in detail--can be appreciated
| by military men; but not fully by civilians.
But how was it when Gep. Cass was SINH
larly situated2 Fort Maiden was the Key to
the western district of Upper Canada. 1t 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 cap
ture had been the subject of deliberation be-
fore Council of War; and during the Coun
Gil, Col. Cass professed himself very anxious
to lead on his troops. But he was holder in
Council than on the field. When he might
have pursued the retreating enemy, and rem
dered his name glorious as Hero, he did
what Gen. Taylor would not do under similar
circumstances; he REITERATED. 1t is true he
was not fully empowered to lay seige to Fort
Malden-nor was he forbidden to do so. He
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," and the subsequent disas-
tiers which feel upon our army-the disgracefu
surrender of Detroit-the possession of Michi
CANDY the British--and the expensive but glori
Gus battle of tee Thames--woud have been
awarded.
4 That we may not be accused of exaggeratior
we quote from the Arguss Biography of Gen
Cass. In the 3rd number of that Biography
we find the following
1.-The only body Of regular troops in garrison
at Maiden, with the MALTA and Indians, hat
been defeated, with loss, in a we'll contested
battle, and the town and garrison itself would
/ have fallen IN easy prey to the advancing
/ troops, before they could possibly have beer
succured from Forts George and Erie on the
distant Niagara. 1t required but commands
in chief of energy, decision and courage to
have prosecuted it to triumphant result"
"'The late John Kenzie, Esq, of Chicago
4 then prisoner at Maiden, informed the writer
in 1921, that there were no troops, but those
whom Col. Cass had engaged, and 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 ask
the reader 10 contrast the facts they enbody
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 that
ne should ''retreat," he would do no such hing.
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 and soldiers in the Fort
were in 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-
der the gallant Col. Miller. He had obtained
an advantage at the Bridge. 1t was ioptional
with him whether to advance or retreat II
he had advanced, Fort Maiden would have fall
len an easy prey to the troops"-and Michigan
would have been saved from the polluting
tread of the enemy. But he ANONYMOUSLY re-
| treated, because Gen. Hull did not peremptori-
| ly command him TO advance; and series Of
degradations followed, which were only wiped
out by Gen. Harrison at the decisive and me-
morable battle of the Thames.
Let those who seek to glorify Gen.. Cass as
a Hero, draw veil over this incident in his
history!
AIR-TIGHT AssoCIATIoNs.-Suchi is the name
| given to priud;c meetings of the locofocos in
Missouri which are to take place weekly from
now until the Presidential election. Theil
doings are to be entirely secret, known only tc
the faithful. Such thing coming from the
Other. side ofthe house, would cause universal
democratic horror, and pious shudder at the
! horrld conClaves engaged in il.