Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-07-14
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
Z0CEs0ry Taylor.
CONTINUED.

ia 'ti1t u A'ttf ara lstas At EUtiltu a pass
that protected his depot and base line, bu,
should he return to Monterey be would open
The whole line OF the Rio Gfande, Camargo,
Maiamoros, and Point Label to The army OF
Santa Anna, who could, when supplies were
cut of successfully besege him in Monterey.
The representations Of Gen. Taylor at once
convinced every rejecting man in the coun-
Try hat his compliance with she wish Ul the
department would have sacrificed everything
he had aained and his iitiIe army in addition:
bat not so the executive, they persisted il
their error even after the battle OF Bueni
Vista gave the cfowniug glory to our arms
To proper understanding Of the position
Of affairs az this time it will be necessary to
turn back few months aud consider other
men and events than lhose which have yet
occupied our attention. and should facts and
deductions sound ike folly or treason in high
places OF the country, We are not blamabe.
We state facts as they are and draw orr own
conclusions. which conclusions must be adj.
mited sound unless others can be drawn
more reasonable.
Mexico had been harrassed by internal
diesensons from the date of her release from
the government Of Spain; but under almost
al! changes Santa Anna had been in a degree Of
power. He had been the master spirit of al
most every shade Of government-all-po power
fol with the army and popular with the peo-
pie. He it was who caused Texas to mourn
Tor her fallen sons and he who shaped the
spirit Of opposition to its annexation. He
combined against him to exile him from the
country. He fed 10 the West Indies and
there remained the spectator OF events that
should recall him to increased power and the
supremacy of dictatorship.
The war with this country broke out. and
the first disaster to Mexican arms, raised.
from every rank and state the cry for their al
Gent leader Santa Anna.
The gulf was blockaded by the squadron of
the United States, under the command OF
Commodore Conner and Santa Anna, ere he
hiiCN tbC EdbiiN Ihiiu VI 4tCAlIu was PFC
pared for his return, was effectually cut off
from any ordinary means of communication
with his counryaen. Whet means he used
to bribe or induce our executive to admit him
into Mexico we know not, and we presume
no one but the actors in that strange drama
will ever know; but there were many reasons
why he should not have been admitted, that
may be coucisely summed as follows:
He was soldier and added one to our list |
of enemies:
He was the master-mind of Mexico, and
held The army in his hand, and in a state of
national danger could look down all opposi
ton among his own countFynen.
He was sanguino, hot booded, and had
oever felt the power OF the American arms TO
rush his high hopes OF victoly, as had all the
,;her generals in the MeAican neid, se. 'uc-i
Glowing letter, under authority o! the presi-
lent Was addressed 10 Co. Conner: I
L. S. Navy Department,
Washington, May 10, 1916.
Commodore Ii Santa Anna endeavors TO
inter the Mexican ports you will allow BIN
% pass freely.
Respectfully yours,
GEO BANCROFT.
Com. Connor, com. home squadron.
We do not say that this was treason; but
t looked 50 much like it in its effects aud
is appearance that there were few who did
lot admit tina it was the most gross blunder
hat was ever committed by men prolesslng
There must, at the same;ime
have been correspondence between the de-
and Santa Anna, for he not long ai-
Ter presented himself boldly Tor the promised
pass"
No sooner had Santa Anna put foot upon
the soil of his native country than the people !
hocked to his standard, money was poured in
TO the ire sury, and the national delentes 10
d better condition than ever before, with a
proud and confident General at the head OF
the army.
San Anna took mp his line OF march for
the north and appeared at Beuna Vista in
February l8l7 with over 81 900 men, beside
large forces sent toward Tampico to ward OFF
demonstrations that might be made on that
place.
We have but one more remark to make up |
this state of things. 1t will strike any one
of reflection that as the government had with |
drawn almost all of Gen. Taylor's regular
force, al the time Santa Anna was coming
down upon him with the whole Mexican ar
my there can be no other way of accounting
for the action Of government than by suppo- /
sing that an understanding existed between
the executive aud Santa Anna that an easy
victory should be assured TO the latter. anil
he, thus established in the hearts of bis eoun- |
lrymen, should award a favorable treaty Of
peace at The expense of the honor OF our
arms and the lives of our soldiers, or that the
executive was, in every movement, guilty of
treason or the most ignominious folly.
The army Of Santa Anna, when organized
by him a San Luis. was composed, according
TO Mexican authorities, OF the following
corps: =
Sappers, miners. and artilIersts,
with nineteen guns OF heavy : $50
calbre.
First, thirl, fourth. fifth. tenth,aud
eleventh regiments OF the line. & 6,2l9
first and third o! light troops.
Fourth lisdt troops, first active Ce-O
lapa; ditto o. Guadalajara; ditto aoo
OF Lagos; ditto Of Querelaro, dit ''|o0
to OF Mexico.
Pdradi's division, with three pieces ooo
OF heay artillery. i'ooo
Cavalry, I'm the march 5000