The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-10-14
Vol. 70. No, ID. Whole No. SIS.

strong position, and where we could easily
! communicate with our depot in the latter
place. Upon this ground determined to
! give battle.
| The enemy arrived in our front on the
morning of the 22d, aud summoned me 10
surrender ut discretion, about | o'clock Of the
same day. The summons was declined, and
about o'clock on that dry the battle of Buc-
nn Vista commenced. The result ofIIai nf.
fair is known to you NIL ,uud | shall ot,tlrerc-
fore, trouble you with its details. All tried
10 discharge their duty TO their country on
TINT orcRsoli, and some even did more than
their duty. 1t would then perhaps he iuvd-
lons to draw comparisons, hut must he per-
United TO say that, led on by their distinguish
ed commander, the gallant Mississippi Vol
untecrs, Of whom you have Just spoken so
highly and so Justly, performed well their
parr. They were the only volunteers with
me who had met the enemy heiorc-having
acted ms would Income veteran troops in the
conflicts about Monterey. therefore cnlcu-
lated much upon their assistance on TINT c.
ventIu day, aud lam happy here to say that
my expectations were fully realised. Their
ranks, thinned hy the enemys bullets, are
mmch more conclusive ms to their good con-
duct than anything TINT could now saw
The batte Of Bueuu Vista, under The cir
cumsanccs under which il was fought, was
ono ofthc most trying occasions in which n
soldier can be placed. may say indeed that
fought that battle with halter about MY
neck. had been advised to fall back and oc-
cupy Monterey, which, ms before stated de-
clincd, and had been unsuccessful, this adj
vice would have been brought up in iudg-
nIcnt against me. declined that advice be-
cause believed the result would have been
as disastrous ms defeat. Had fallen back
to Monterey, the whole country about me,up-
on which was greatly dependent for forage,
would have flown TO arms. Once confined
in Monterey, the volunteers, TO say nothing
orlho effects ofthc retreat upon them, would
have become sickly and dispiriretl; and de-
priyed oia,l means of Obtaining supplies and
particularly forage, | should soon have not
bad dragon or artillery horse in my com
mand, and would therefore have been com
PEELED ultimately to surrender unless the
siege could have been raised hy the return
ofGen. Scott from Vera Cruz, with the troops
under his command.
The battle Of Bucna Vista was fought on
Our side by about $50 regular troops, and
something upwards of 1000 Volunteers while
they were opposed by at eas, 10000 Of the
enemy: and had we lost the dav, feel that
the whole responsibility ofthe misfortune
would have ttcu upon my shoulders. Yet
do not wish hero tn ccnsure those who
pnccd MS IN tllAt critical SiualoM: whether
they deserve blame or not ! leave FOR others
to determine. Those who had control over
my fate on this transaction may have friends
here present, in whose good opinion would
not harm them. For my own part, am sat
i~tied TO hope and believe HAT it WAS all the
result OF accident rather than ofdesign on
their part.
In conclusion, ! beg to return to you, to
my fellow citizens Of llrrrison county, and
particularly 10 my fair conntrywomen here
assembled, my heartfelt thanks for the cordial
reception which they have this day extended
tome.