Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-12-27
A Reminiscencc of the Mexican War,

The period of time embracing the few
weeks preceding the battle of Buena Vista
was one of the most critical eras in the
whole history f,he Mexican war. The
American line of operations having been
denuded of its most effective troops, was
peculiarly liable TO a sudden attack by
Santa Anna, the celebrity Of whose move
men,s, whatever may be his dement's as
military commander, has been seldom
equalleJ in modern warfare. From Mon
terey to Ma,amoras the whole frontier
was in state Of exciting suspense. En-
gineers were busy excava,ing bitches,
and constructing ranparts; forts were
strengthened, and provisions and stores
placed in security. In Camargo and Mat
amoras the plaeas we're strongly fortified,
aud artillery was placed at the angles of
the streets, while the little huts or jacales
which abound in the outskirts of all Mex
lean towns, and which might afford shell
ter to the auani guards of an enemy, were
made to contribute TO the amusemtnts of
the soldiers by furnishing materials for
rather extensive bonfres. AT Sa'illo the
proximity of the commander in chief in
fused more confidence in the minds of our
troops i; but a, Monterey, which, from its
isolated position, and the smaIIness Of the
garrison left to protect il, was considered
especially insecure, the anxiety of the
Americans was very great. and their
watchfulnes> proportonately increased
The commissary's and qnar,ermaster'
stores, were removed into the citadel. and
all the troops were withdrawn from their
quarters in town, and placed within the
same fertilization. That work was
strengthened as much as the short time
would permit, aud the building in its CEN
tire which had been the commencement of
| an old cathedral. was converted into a
magazine. At this time there were in
Monterey about eleven hundred men. com
pri>ing the lst Ohio Regiment, the Louis
vile Legion, Prentis>'s battery, and d
Squadron of Kentucky cavalry. On Sat
urday, the Goth of February, Gen. Mar.
shall, then in command, received an order
to start Immediately to Gen. Taylor's as.
sistance. OF course this circumstance
created great excitement. 1t had for some
time been rumored that Santa Anna was
about making forward movement from
San Louis Potosi, but SO rapid was hi,
maneuvres, that this was the first certain
or even reliable information we had re
ceived of his approach. On the afternoon
of,he day above mentioned, Gen. Marshal
commenced his march, taking with hin
Premises artillery and the squadron o
Kentucky cavalry. This left at Monte
rey only the Ohio Regiment and the Louis
vile Legion, which, being stationed in tn,
citadel, the city was left almost entirel,
deserted. Nor is this mere rhetorical
figure, for the Mexicans had abandoned
the place, as if it were plague stricken,an
the thirty or forty Americans who re
manned enjoyed the largest liberty, il
roaming through the silent and desolat'
streets, and peering with curious eye int
empty houses. The anxiety and painful
suspense of this small party may be i'm
agined; but it cannot be described. The,
could occasionally see bodies of Mexica
lancers, probably belonging to Urea
predatory bands, prowling about on th
surrounding hills, and apparently eyein
the city as if they deemed it already i
their power. Fearful every moment G
surprise, a constant watch was kept, an
the sIammng Of door, which would re
sound from one end of the desola,e city t
the other, would frequently assemble a
the population in the plaza to avail. III
attack of their unseen and imaginary foe
As last resort in case of extremt,
they converted the house Of one Mr. Mo
rel. Louis ianian, into kind of fortres.
in which were placed number of mu:
, kets and other warlike implements. A
we said before, Gen. Marshall set out o
, , the Goth. He marched as far as the pa:
0: Los Muer!o, or the Rinconada, on SUI
, day, the Dist, where, in obedience to a
,, order from Gen. Taylor, he halted durin
! Monday, and on Tuesday recommence
his march, arriving at Saltillo ON Wedne
, day morning, the day after the glor'o,
battle Of the 23d. In the mean time Il