Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-08-17
MISCELLANEOUS.
- - - From the N. 0. Delta.
THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF OLD
= WHTTEV

The progress of Old Whitley to Washington,
has been duly noted, pretty much in the style
of the movements of distinguished pipeds.-l
His merits and qualities have formed fruitful
themes of discussions tor some of the political
0uid names. He has been subjected to as fierce
fire from the batteries of the wits of the OPP
ponents of his venerable master, as he sus-
tanned at Buena Vista, whilst standing on that
prominent knoll and snuf6ng the approach OF
the Mexicans.
! As the Delta was the first paper 10 confer
Immortality on Old Whtey-indeed we may
say, that in the Delta originated the notice
which saved him from the obscurity to which
he had been consigned, on account of sundry
sins and advancing age-we feel bound TO en-
Tighten mandkind, by giving full and anthem
| tic account of the life and services of the VEN
cradle charger, especially as other less dlstin-
tiguished actors with the glorious war with
| Mexico have already employed the highest
strains OF poets and historians in perpetuatlng
| their glory. izzfa @
The first detailed account of the battle of
Buena Vista, appeared in the Delta of March
27, 1S47. It was given to the public before
the officer who brought the news had time TO
change his travelling apparel It was in that
description, that Old Whitley made his first ap-
|
| utterly Indifferent to the periIs of his situa-
ton, there sat the old chief, on his conspicuous
white horse, peering through his spy-glass at the
long lines Of Mexican troops, that could be seen
at a long distance, on the march. The pursua-
sion of his aids could not induce him to abandon
his favorable point for observation nor to give up
his old white horse. 70 the suggestion of his
! staG IF, that Old Whitley was rather conspicuous
charger for the General-in-c chief, he replied that
the old fellow had missed the fun at Monterey, on
account of sore foot, and he was determined he
should have his share this time"
Having thus made Old Whitley immortal,
we feel bound to go further, and dsabuse the
public of prevalent error, that the sold hoss,"
like great many two legged warriors, de-
serves half the glory he has enjoyed. We
have examined into his life, and find that his
origin is ignoble, and some of his deeds have
not been inconsistent with his origin. We
dislike 10 dissipate popular fancy, pleas
ing delusion; but, as Col. Benton says, g the
truth of History must be vindicated'' The
parentage and early life of Old Whitley, like
that of Homer and Alexander's Bucephalus,
are shrouded in the MYSTERY and darkness of
antiquity. His first appearance on the stage
of action was as Circus horse of some stroll
ling equestrian company. in this position he
bore himself spectably,-and being long,
round bodied, and fiat across the back, and
possessing the merit of appearing to run very
FAST whilst he was in fact only going through
the motions, he was considered pretty good
beast for the ring. In this position he made
several successful campaigns, until, just before
the departure of the army for Corpus Christi,
he was purchased by General Taylor, who
was pleased with his color, his dociIty, and
apparent sobriety Whilst at Corpus Christi,
Old Whitley did his duty faithfully by Uucle
Sans forage, and seemed 10 be as Indifferent
| to great national concerns, as the fellow whose
| father had gone to Texas, his mother to camp
meeting, and he didn't care if corn acas six
bits bushel!
Relying upon his practiced dociity and well
balanced equanmity, the General determined
one day at Corpus Christi, to indulge in the
unwonted pride and display of a review of the
| troops, in full uniform. We believe that it
was the first and last time the General ever in
dulged in the unwonted pride and display of
review of the troops, in full uniform. We be-
| lieve that it was the first AMI last time the
General ever INDUCED this vanity. The old
coat was dragged out of its recesses, was dus-
ted and brushed up, the epauletts were fasten-
ed on, the cooked hat and plume were all put
into apple-pie order, and the white pants were
as spotless as untrodden snow. The capari-
sons of the old charger, too, were very splen-
did and beautiful, and when the old fellow was
rugged off in his toggery, it brought back his
| the saw-dust,-he pricked his ears to the roar
of the pitt and galleries. the lamps seem
ed to fit before his excited fancy. He neighed
and danced in perfect ecstacy of delight.
The review was ready. The old General
mounted, and soon found he had 10 resort 10
the unusual restraint of holding Old Whitley
in, instead of putting spurs 10 him. The troops
were all drawn up in line. The General, with
| his staff, dashed down the front. There was
the sarcastic and able Colonel Cross, the Sc
date and mild Bliss, the sharp-featured, quick
| eyed Eaton, and several other officers, all in
full uniform, forming brilliant staff. The
| troops presented arms, the drums sudden
| ly broke out into the long roll, and the trum-
| pets clangeI fearfully Old Whitley became
furious with excitement. He reared, SHE'D,
and kicked about most desperately, and at last
| finding either the General or his own feelings
too much TO bear, he gave sudden side jerk
not laid down in the cavalry tactics-and
slash away went the General, over the pun
mel, into convenient soft mound of sand
we would say mud, but that would, no doubt,
be a breach of our neutrality, and bring down
| upon US tue leFTiDIe wrath OF tue hepuOllC.-
Disentangling himself, the excited charger,
and ex-circus horse, plunged madly onward,
kicking up his heels towards the extended line
of cleaning muskets, and manifesting his con-
tempt for military glory by other and still
more reprehensible acts Madly he careered
over the sands, and never drew up until he
arrived at his well-flIed stall, where he was
found quietly munching some of Uncle Sans
fodder. The old General jumped up from his
PROSTATE position, and stammered out few
CALCULATIONS of more significance at Corpus
Christi than they might have been within the
sanctified atmosphere of Washington City.
! For that deed of treachery and atrocity, Old
Whitley was condemned to long and inglo-
rious, but to him, not improbable, obscurity.
His sorrowing operated like that of poor Jack
Fallstaf, and pulled him up prodigiously-
Like the toad, he grew fat and solid in his ig-
noble obscnrity. When the army advanced
towards the Rio Grande, slowly. and at his
leisure, he logged quietly along in the rear in
the low company of pack mules and extra
horses. Of so little consequence was he deem.
: ed, that when General Taylor marched out oil
Fort Brown to Point Isabel, he left Old Viii.
tey behind, munching his fodder in inglorious
ease. The glories of PaIo Alto and Resaca
de la Palma were shared alone by his more
energetic companion, Old Brown So, at Mon.
terey. he was still in disgrace, and only secu