The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-04-05
A Victor in his Owning Hour.

On the 9th of Febury, 1S47; a thick
set, clumsy-looking Oldham was seen RI
ding slowly down one # the main streets
of Saltillo, Mexico. Tn appearance ofthis
venerable gentleman vas remarkably un-
soidier-like and unassming; for he was
mounted on a rough nstaug pony, and
was attended by only oe armed dragoon
guard. His short peron was nearly en-
veloPed in a dingv Town O~arcoat, and !
his feet wore olad ina pair of coarse shoes
that protruded some distance below his
trowsers. A soiled Military cap was drawn
careIessly over his ees, and a rusty sword
hung awkwardly at is side. There was
nothing in his dress mien to indicate
that he was an uncommon parsonage, but
the swarthy citizens fthe place who stood
in groups upon the pgements bowed their
heads as he passed, ad American officers
Of all ranks raised ther hats respectfully
as they galloped by Inn upon their pran-
cling Steeds.
On every side the lw groans Of wound
ed and dying soldiersfell upon his ears,
and their mangled linos were thrown out
from the hospital door almost under his
horses feet as he advnced; but still he
rode on, slowly and eedlessly, recogni-
zing neither friends mr. foes, but SEEM
ingly absorbed in his WI deep, ANXIOUS
meditations. And thi plain old man was
Gen. Zachary Taylorthe hero of Buena
Vista, the conqueror Santa Anna; and
this was his triumphl entrance into a
place whose atmosphee had been darken-
ed but one day beforeby the smoke of his
blazing guns as they rared in the distance
and shook the surrounding mountains by
their thunders!
This was the man wlose invincible cour-
age and indomitable clergy purpose had
just saved one gallant title army from de.
struction, and had roued another of foul
times its numerical strength. He had
just achieved his greatest victory, and ths
glorious tidings were speeding rapidly
across the broad Gulf, and his name was
destined to be breathed with grateful ap
plause by thousands of his admirins
countrymen-but now lie appeared uncon
scious of his future fame that awaited him
and his whole mind wasapparently labor
lug under the heavy responsibilities tha
still rest upon him, for he knew not a
what hour his bafled and enraged enemie
might pour down upon him again througl
the dark gorges of the mountains that ros
up on every side, and ov,rwhelm the rem
nant of his exhausted troops by their supe
rior numbers. Yet how honorable, hoy
elevated, how glorious was the position h
then occupied in that hostile city, far re
moved from his native land! There hi
viii was law, and his slightest mandat
exacted obedience. None doubted his patr
otism or his ability, but all his brave 70
lowers looked up to him in whom the
con6ded their safety and protection.
The fierce inhabitants of Saltillo ha
but yesterday stood out upon their hous,
tops, looking forth upon the field of battl
with shouts of exultation and defianc,
hoping soon to behold the overthrow
| their bold invader, and the total destructio
of his little band; but now they sat at the
doors with grieved, humble faces, gain
with awe and fear upon the man wLo ha
vanquished their greatest leader, and VIII
but few hours since, had swept dow
hundreds of their nearest relatives upc
the bloody field Of Buena Vista with h
terrible cannon. And now as he rot
unattended through their midst, in, his pla
dusty garb. wrapt in his own weight
thoughts, and. needless of their submissi'
looks, they seemed to regard him as son
superior being who had been sent by 9
angry Deity to punish their crimes al
avenge the wrongs they had committt
upon others.-Euta,c .4ta) Democrat.
There is not an enemy so stout as