Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-11-14
Nj | S C Il l. l. A N Y.
"Reminiscences of the Mexican War

The period of time embracing the few weeks pre-
cedlng the battle of Buena Vista wasone of the most
critical eraS In the whole history of The Mexican
war. The American line corporations having peen
denuded gifts most effective troops, was peculiarly
liable to sudden attack by Santa Anna the celerity
OF whose movements, whatever may be his demerls
as military commander, has been seldom equaled
in modern warfare. From Monterey to Matamoras
The whole frontier was in state of exciting sus-
pense. Engineers were busy eXcavatinu ditohes
and constructing rampar,s forts were strengthened,
and provisions and stores placed in security In
Camargo and Malamoras the ptasds were strongly
1ortfed, and artillery was placed at the angles of
The streets, while the little huts or jacales which
abound in the outskirts of the Mexican towns, and
which might afford shelter to the avant gare of an
enemy were made to contribute TO the amusements
OF the soldiers by furnishing materials for rather ex
tensve bontires. At Saliillo the proximity of the
commander chief infused more confidence into the
minds Of our troops; but at Monterey, which, from
lis isolated position and the smallness of the garri-
son LETT to protect it, considered especially lnse-
cure, the anxiety OF the Americans was very great,
and their watchulness proportonaely increased
i he comInlsSary's and quaItermaseT's stores were
removed into the CITADEL and all the troops were
withdrawn from their quarters in town, and placed
within the same tOrllicaiiUn. That work was
strengthened as much as the short time would per-
init, and the building in its centre, which had been
The commencement of the old cathedral was con-
verted into magazine. AT this time there were i'm
Monterey about eleven hundred men, comprising the
LIST Ohio Regiment, the Louisville Legion Prentiss'
battery, and squadron of Kentucky cavalry On
Saturday, The 2Oth Of February, Gen Marshall then
In command, received order TO start immedia tey
TO Gen. Taylor's assistance. OF course this crcum
stance created great excitement. 1t had for some
time been rumOrod that Santa Anna was about
making forward movement from San Luis Potosi
but So rapid were his maneuvres that this was the
first certain or even reliable Information we had re-
celved OF his approach. On the afternoon of the day
above mentioned, General Marshall commenced his
march, taking with him Prentiss' artillery and The
squadron Of Kentucky cavalry This left at Monte
rey only the Ohio Regiment and the Louisville Lee
glon, which being stationed in the citadel, the city
was lett almost entirely deserted. Nor is this
mere rhetorical figure, for the Mexcans had aban-
doned the place, as If 1t were plague stricken and
the thirty or forty Americans who remained enioyed
the largest liberty, In roaming through the silent and
desolaie streets, and peeTlDg with curious eye into
empty houses. The anxiety and painful suspense of
this small party may be imagined, but it cannot be
described. They could occasionally see bodies of
Mexican ancers, probably belonging to Urrea's pre-
datory bands, prowling about the surrounding
hills, and apparently eyeing the city ithey deem
ed 1t already in their power Fearful every moment
| OF surprise, constant watch was kept, and the
samming of a door, which would resound from one
end Of the desolate city to the other, would frequent
assemble all the population i'll the plaza, to await
The attack OF their unseen and Imaginary foe.
AS last resort, in case Of extremity, they had
converted the house ofone Mr.. Morel, a Iousianian,
into kind of fortress, IN which were placed NUN
Der of muskes and other warike implements. AS
we said before, Gen. Marshall set out on the Goth
lie marched as far the pass of Los Muerto or the
Rinconada, on Sunday, the 2lst, where, in obedi-
ence to an order from Gen. Taylor, he halted during
Monday, and on Tuesday recommended his march,
arriving at Sa!tllUon "Wednesday morning, the day
after the glorious battle Of the 23d In the mean
time the people in Monterey were totally ignorant
OF every thing that was going on above. Occasion
ally, indeed, the rolling Of distant thunder would be
mistaken for the roar Of the far-off battle; but, in
fact, uncertainty peTvaded every mind. Thus the
time passed away heavily enough Monday, Tues
day, Wednesday, Thursday, came and went, and
still no iIdngs from the army. AT last, on the af
ternOon of Friday, when expectation had been strain
ed TO its utmost, from the hill on which the famous
Bishops Palace is situated, single horseman was
described in the distance, huryng towards the city
along the SaltillO road. His appearance instantly
called TO mind the Athenlan messenger, who bore
the tdings of victory TO his countrymeH from the
blOOd-staned field Of Marathon. Immediately all
the horses which could be procured were put in re-
QUESTION, and party Of four started to meet the sin
gle cavalier. Long before they were sufficiently
near TO distinguish his voice they saw him take his
nat from MS mead and waive IL IN the air, till, D.
preaching still nearer, they heard "Hurrah for Old
lack ~ burst from his lips. The cry was respond
ed TO with genuine enthusiasm, and 'IIurah fol
Old Zack!" though uttered by few voices, rang fal
and wide through the valley. Soon the horseman
| who proved to be an Arkansas volunteer was sur
rounded by eager questioners. "What news do yor
bring from Old lack ?" said they. oval, boys
replied the volunteer, "bu it beat all the bar fght.
that ever see in Arkansas, now tell you, though
Santa Anna and his twenty thousand greasers haC
to put out in double quick time, after ALL" ''How
is Col. Yel?" said another Arkansas man. "Ht
is killed" "And Col. Clay 2" asked Kentuckan