Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-10-13
POLITICS AND LITERATURE-GFN
TAYLOR AND BUENA VISTA

lowing -" One OF the old philosophers has state
that misery makes strange bed-fellowsn Follow
ms IN the same line of thinking. modern philoso
pher looking the discussions of the day might
as naturally declare that politics produce strang,
opinions" Every one remembers the extraordi
nary sensation produced in this country, and we
might say, throughout the whole civilized world
by the result of the battle of Buena Vista Until
accurate intelligence of this extraordinary action
was received, the public mind in this country was
agitated with hopes and fears of the most intense
description. When full account ofthe great VIC
tory reached us, nothing but one general burst OF
delight, applause and astonishment Startled the
country, like shock of electricity from the clouds
OF heaven. Every man shook his neighdors hand,
and congratulated himself upon the noble and ne
rolc conduct of General Taylor, and this wonder
tul battlefield. similar feeling pervaded all
classes both military and civil, throughout the
whole world The European journals express
ed the utmost establishment at the courage, skill,
bravery, and indomitable energy of the American
chieftain, officers, and men.
But 1t appears that these natural workings of
the human mind in contemplating such brilliant
achievements, efIaced, destroyed, obliterated,
by the influence of politics and party broils du-
ring the present contest 1t is hardly worth while
to notice the stupid ISLANDERS which the venerable
Mr.. Richie of Washington City, has Illuminated
against Gen. Taylor, whom he impudently calls
The would-be civilian, the candidate, inexpe-
rienced, uniformed, wholly incompetent, incon-
sstent in his pledges and no. pledges, unsettled in
in no %
his future Presidential action, with no political
history, with no political guarantees, every body
representative, and truly representing nobody it
Is, we say honorable 10 the wing masses, that, as
such politician, he is everywhere regarded with
am indifference and apathy, which the memory OF
his brilliant battleields alone prevents from deep
enlng into something nearer akin to contempt -
Washington onion.
Such opinions, coming from a hack politician,
who works in harness like cart-horse, for daily
wages III food and fodder, directed too against the
most brilliant achievements of the age and the
most modest and most talented men of the coun-
try, cannot create much surprise among those who
know the meanness, corruption, folly and bigotry
which exist among the political cliques at Wash
ington, and else where. All these matters are
natural in the dirty pursuit of politics But when
d d
tending to more elevated level sinking down to
this degradation it strikes US with establishment
that the general literature of the country cannot
be kept free from the dirty and miserable influence
of politicians and charlatans. There is literary
Journal published in this city, known as the Dem
ocralc Reresr which has hitherto been regarded as
leading light in the elevated literature of the land
~ hoe al al oba @,r
talent taste, and scholarship, in its columns but
during the past few months, strange change
seems to have come over its destiny. In the num-
Der issued for the present month of September,
there is a review published of book issued by
Captain Castleton, called "The Battle of Buena
VISTA" which treats upon the operations of the
Army of Occupation during that period. The fol-
lowing extracts have been made which will be
read with much interest and no little astonish-
ment-
That it (Buena Vista) was battle won by the
men, almost in spite of the General to whose mis-
take one half of the slaughter of the troops may
be fairly attributed. A glorious victory, achieved
less by science and military leading than by the
determined and indomitable valor ofthe volunteer
troops, despite the blunders of officers.)
What, then did Gen. Taylor do? Did he pre-
pare TO give battle to the fatigued and thirsty men,
(Mexicans from La Incarnation), issuing out of
narrow pass after march of thirty five miles
Not SO; he beats hasty retreat on Buena Vista.
Almost in the hour OF battle it discovered
the position was a wrong one, and the men were
to make forced march OF fourteen
miles almost in the face of the enemy, TO regain
a position, from which, it appears, they ought
never to have advanced.
1t will be remembered that Gen TAYLOR had
been idle eleven days at Aqua Nueva, whittier he
had gone to fight Santa Anna, well knowing that !
Minon was on his flank with two thousand horse, |
and vet it was not until the slack of the battle took
place that he left the field TO look after the defence
Of Saltillol He knew more on the 18th of
February in relation to the Mexican forces than |
ne had known thirty days before, yet the necessa-
~ duty of making disposition for the defence of
saltio neglected until nearly too late.
The Mississippi Regiment had been marched |
fourteen miles from Aqua Nueva on the 22nd FIVE /
miles TO Saltilo, and back SIX miles to stem the
eruption of the Mexicans, and this marching and
in the hour of battle, be-
,ause the defence of Saitillo had been neglected |
hirty days at least.
The crisis of the battle was very near turning |
n favor of the enemy, through the extraordinary
conduct of Gen. Taylor in playing into the hands
If Santa Anna, by becoming the dupe of one OF
lis shallow and dishonest tricks.
This was the result of the generalship of Taylor
n falling into the trap of Santa Anna. Had the
on that field been able as the con-
luct of the men, how much blood might have
,een spared.-Democrat;e Rerislc.
This is beautiful specimin of literature and
taken from one of the leading lite
AIRY journals of the metropolis. The incompe-
cnce, ignorance and folly, attributed to General
Taylor. as military man, in these extracts, are
My equaled By the accusations and occasional
,ursts made against him by Mr.. Richie, the ad-
editor at Washington. The one de-
lies him any knowledge in military affairs--the
,ther equally refuses 10 him the possession # any
in civil affairs. So by the united de-
lunciatiorls of Mr. Folks organ, and the Demo
ratio Reriezr Gen Taylor is reduced TO be as COM
,lete an ier,oraruus In al matters nertainnp 10