The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-17
SPEECH FROM GEN. TAYLOR,

| becue in honor of Gen. TAYLOR. An ad
dress, on the behalf Of the citizens, was mad,
10 Gen. T. by Hon. JOHN HENDERSON, VIII,
alluded particularly to the battle of Bueni
Vista, and the conduct OF the Mississippi vol
unteers IN that hattie. To the address of Mr.
HENDERSON Gen. TAYLOR made The follow
ing reply. which we copy from the Neau Or
leans Picdytne
1t is with emotions of no ordinary embar.
rassment, Mr.. President that find mvse
called upon to respond TO the cordial receo.
lion with which have Just been met by the
authorities OfPass Christian and The citizens
of Harrison County. ! cannot, indeed, ex-
pect TO do justice 10 the occasion, and fee
especially less able TO offer,in adequate terms,
my acknowledgements for the very fattering
language IN which this greeting has been
rendered by The talented citizen who has Just
addressed me. | can only, therefore, offer
you my warmest thanks, and assureyo that
the style Of my reception here is particularly
grateful to myfeeIings. This simple and re-
publican manner oil meeting my fellow-cili-
zens carries me back 10 the pleasant scenes
of my early life. | was reared from infancy
to early manhood in The Wesr-ambne men
Of The most primitive tastes and republican
simplicity. We there frequently met on oc-
casIons like this, 10 exchange freely onr opin-
ions on National and State affairs, and TO de-
wise measures for the defence of our borders,
which at that day The General Government
was sometimes unable 10 protect. On ihese
occasions were often collected, TOO, those
men oflion hearts and iron nerves who had
not only aided the Father Of our country in
achieving our independence, and stood by
his side i'll many OF his hard-lought battles,
but who afterwards filed with honor to our coun-
try conspicuous places in our legislative bodies.
both National and State l have been educated
in the simple and republican habits so happily IL
Illustrated in this scene, and do not expect to
change them in my old days. You ,gill then I'M
derstand me when l assure you again that the
manner of my reception here is more agreeable
to my feelings and taste than could be all the
pomp and pageantry of reception at the most
splendid Court of Europe.
The complimentary language in which you
have been pleased to allude 10 my military servi-
ccs, which now embrace a period of more than
forty years, and especially to the actions in which
have been engaged during tina. time, common
cling with the defence of Fort Harrison in 1912
and ending with the battle of Buena Vista, has a.
Weakened in me the most grateful emotions
feel particularly gratifed at the just tribute of
praise which you have paid, in speaking of these
services, TO the gallant men whom commanded
on those occasions, and to whom feel deeply in
debted for our success. / claim nothing save the
good fortune of being the leader of such men on
the occasions referred to; and to their zeal in
tanning me, and to their bold hearts and strong
arms are we indebted for our victories The
manner in which you have alluded to my being
stripped of my troops on the Rio Grande and to
my being left, as it might seem, at the mercy of
the enemy. just before the battle of Buena Vista,
renders it proper, probably, that should make a
few remarks in relation to that matter. l received
at Victoria, while on nv wav to Tampico-a
movement which / had advised the War Depart
ment should make, for certain reasons-an Or
der from the GeneTal-in-chief of the army, strip
ping me of the greater portion CT my command,
and particularly of regular troops and volunteers
well instructed. This order was received by me
with much surprise, and, must confess, produc-
ed the strongest feelings of regret, modification,
and disappointment as 1 knew that General San
ia Anna was within striking distance of my line,
with an army of $4,000, probably the best APP
pointed men ever collected in Mexico. After
putting most of the troops then with me at Vic
tolia en- route for Tampico-thO larger portion Of
the commands at Monterey and Saltillo having
been already Withdrawn for the same ultimate
destination-I was instructed TO return to the for
mer place, where it was expected would remain
on the defensive with the small force then under
my orders.
A few days after reaching that point, learned
that the greatest alarm prevailed among the adj
vance at Saltillo, in consequence of the capture
at Encarnacion of Alajs. Borland and Gaines, with
their party of about eighty picked men from the
Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry-followed few
I-k h. Of 1afa 1arat
of picked men under Capt. Heady, also Of the
Kentucky cavalry. About the same time l re-
ceived communication from Gen. Wool, then
commanding at Saltillo, urging me to join him
with all the troops at my disposal, stating that
Gen. Santa Anna was at least preparing, if he
was not already Ell route to strike blow at Sal
tillo 1 Immediately joined Gen. Wool with
700 or 800 men, anG few days afterwards con-
centrated all the troops, which were generally en-
camped by regiments, and took my position at A
qua Nueva, in order that all the officers might be-
come better acquainted with each other and their
duty, and that generally more thorough system
of discipline and instruction could be adopted 10
prepare all hands for service. While here was
advised by the War Department and the General
in chief to occupy Monterey. This advice be-
lieved then, as do now, was given at haZard,and
in ignorance Of my situation, OF that OF the enc
my, and of the country. declined TO adopt 1t,
and determined 70 n3nt the NleAiC'u OSHSid iii
mediately after he crossed the desert country,
which lay just in my front, and before he could
have time to refresh and reorganize his army,
which knew would be much worn out and dis
ordered by march of so miles across this des-
ert, without sufficient provisions and supples,an
with great scarcity of water. In this determine
ton, so far as l know was most cordially sus-
tanned by the officers of my command. About
two weeks after taking my position q: Aqua NJ
eva, it was ascertained by my advanced parties,
that Santa Anna was at hand with his army. We
ther fell hack % Buena Vista, a ranch some six
miles in front of Saltillo. where we took up a
strong position, and where we could easily COM
municate with our depot IN the latter place. Up
on this ground determined to give battle. The
enemy arrived in our front on the morning of the
22d and summoned me to surrender at discretion
about o'clock of the same day. The summons
was declined; and about O'Clock on that day
the battle Of Buena Vista commenced. Inc re,
suit of that affair is known TO you all, and shal,
not, therefore, trouble you with its details All
tried to discharge their duty to their country on
that occasion, and some even did more than their
duty 1t would then, perhaps, be invdious 10
dravv comrar;cons. but i must be permitted 70 |