Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1848-09-28

49, ~" Hi1 hilOH olU ZdCll hpDI
his word to Major Brown; but, alas, the
brave and lamented Major had received
his death wound. E
SO at Buena Vista the personal charac-
ter of Gen. Taylor had a like influence
on the army. When the War Department
deemed 1t necessary, in order to form Il
column to invade Mexico, via Vera Cruz.
to take his regulars from him, he was sure
that Santa Anna would attack him. II
am the weak point" he often said, "and
| know he will attack me-" But he de-
termined to defend his position, and, in
order the best way to defend it, to ad-
vance. Gen. Scott has taken a hundred.
said he; | shall save a thousand. Gen.
Taylor kept well informed ofthe approach
OF the enemy by Gen. Wool's scouts,
moved on to S~altillo, then on to Aqua
Nueva. 1t was proposed at one time to
meet the enemy in advance of Aqua
Nueva, but ascertaining by lis engineers
that their position could be turned, he re-
solved to fall back to Buena Vista as the
enemy approached him. Buena Vista is u
military position that any soldiers eye
would select for a defence. To no par
tlcular person is the credit of its selections
due-for it has been said that even a wo-
man picked it out as a place to repulse
an enemy. Various officers have had the
credit OF the selection, but whatever par
tIcuIar credit is due, is certainly due to
the commander-in-chief, who fought the
battle. The Mexicans themselves had
fought a battle there. Santa Anna knew
the ground SO we'll that he ordered Gen.
Minon to get into our rear. Minon did
as ordered; but when he reached Buena
Vista he found us in possession of it. The
22d of February, with $500 men, mostly
raw troops, opposed to 10000 of the enc
my, was certainly not an encouraging
day. We did not feel quite so happy Or
so wei! as over this bountiful table tonight.
We thought of home, and Of families
and friends, and our chance of death was
much better, we thought, than of ever
seeing them again. For several days
previous Gen. Taylor was constantly EN-
gagged in making his arrangements, and
In writing home. 1t is said also that he
made his will. But he never shrank
from his duty. 81 may PERISH" was his
''but l will perish in maintain
ing the honor of my country! | have to
a terrible risk in assuming the res
possibility of making this onward march,
it is the only course that will save nv
army. To stay in Monterey was to be
sacrificed by the overwhelming force Of
the enemy. To save all. l must here
risk all" #@ 7 p
The battle vas fought-you know the
result; but you a never know the infu-
that the presence of Gen. Taylor
1ad upon the army. He alone, SO it
seemed to me, could have inspired, by his
presence, every soldier in the army, as the
volunteers were inspired. The confidence
II him was complete. He had never sur
endered. He has never been whipped;
md the idea got abroad that he never
could be. When maneuvering my pie
;es athWart the gullies--I cite this as an
Example of that c~onfdence-l saw clouds
If dust about two miles from me. / was
painfully anxious. | thought that Gen.
'linon had fallen upon our real and at
acked onr depots, and to meet him W as my
lrst thought. A man came g%allopipGg. up
the dust into sight, screaming,
odd lack is coming!" Every soldier
ave involuntary utteranee to his feelings.
Did Zach came; and in fifteen minutes
he tide of battle turned. -Four thousand
i've hundred men repulsed twenty thou
and; and to the influence of that pre-
under God, think | am alive here
Q dine with you this day. fs.s d s.
A Gentheman.-Hew often did you
|ischarge your pieces that day? ssst
Col. Bragg-About 250 rounds to each
,un. ,.5 II t#ys s s.s
Another Gentlemdn.-How near was
he enemy to your pieces at any onetime?
Col. Bregggg.-Within fifty yards at one
when,we moved themdown.
Another.-Where was Gen. Taylor9
Col. Braggg.-Within forty yards.
Col. Bragg closed his remarks with
aying:"Understand me gentlemen, I am