The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15
LETTER XIII.
The Battle Of Buena Vista and its results.


Sin: We have at length authentic accounts of the
great battle fought at Buena Vista; ii is certainly
one of the most extraordinary on record, and its
consequences even more important than the
event ITSELF These are OF such magnitude that
Santa Anna never would have made his daring
movement If he had not been certain of success.
Who could have supposed that twenty thousand
men, under high state of discipline, and perfectly
provided with every thing necessary to constitute
an army, cavalry, artillery, and infantry, should
be totally defeated by two thousand i've hundred
regulars, and an equal number Of VOLUNTEERED Such
an idea certainly never entered the mind OF any
Mexican, nj least IL appears that his army is en-
tirely rganized, and II 10 doubtful whether he
will be able 10 reach San Luis with the fourth
Of those who marched from that place. But the
moral influence throughout Mexico must beincal-
culable-the Mexicans may now say as the subjects
of Montezuma said Of the Spaniards: "The gods OF
the strangers are stronger than our gods"
The reliance Of the Mexicans for the defence OF
the capital Ia destroyed and gone. Had Santa Anna
been successful against Taylor other defence Of
the capital would have been necessary; the descent
on Vera Cruz would have been at once abandoned,
and our troops recalled for the purpose of covering
our own frontier. Instead of being broken and dis
piritcd, the Mexicans every where would have risen
up in arms, and perhaps would, for the fret time,
have exhibited a national spirit-the contrary OF
this effect has been produced. IL will require pro-
digious effort and much time, 10 organize another
army; and the greater part will be conscripts,
II they can be dignfed even with that name, where
there no voluntary enlistment or fair and regu-
force, and driven, tied with ropes, 10 the places
rendezvous, like a brute beast. TO be beaten, and
broken into the trade OF war. And now from Tam
pco 10 Salto, from the Sierra Madre to the Sabine
The war 10 overall that "a necessary 10 10 consodat,
the ecnquest Of The beautiful country sossf Of the Rit
Grands.
lean readily conceive the effect Of this uinter.
rupted series Of successful military events, and ex
traordinsry battles, both on the Mexican and the
European mind. The slumbering military might
existing in republic, ready TO be called forth by
and it's secret lies in the freedom of our institu.
tons, the same which gave TO Greece and Rome
their pre-emincnce. One trait has been exhibited
in even higher degree than in Greecc-the
emulation rivalry of States; and even OF O
higher kind than that which displayed at Pla-
tea and Marathon; Kentucky has We'd with South
Carolina, and Massachusetts with Mississippi
MAY THE cBKRRHEp REMEmBRAScK LONG SERVE
TO BIND THEM TOGETHER rRATERNAL AZTEC
TIoSi The battles OF Palo Alto and Rcsaca were
decisive TO the superiority Of our arms, especial
ly Of our artillery and OF the infcrority Of the enc
my in cavalry, whose efficiency was 80 much over.
rated. At Monterey, with every advantage o.
numbers, walls, and fortresses they were literally
crushed; and then, 10 crown all, at Buena Vista
in spite of the immense disparity, and the enemy
attacking, their army annihated in the opcr
field. Can II be possible that Mexico will not nov
for peace, and accept any terms we may choose
70 dictstei ] have no doubt we shall soon hear o
Cruz, and taking the Castle of San Juan. We sbal
then hear the Mexican plenipotentiarics advancing
towards him with the olive branch, before he take
up his line OF March for the capital Of the Aztecs
Surely they will not Invite him "o revel in the hall
Of the Montezumas
II must DO admitted that Santa Anna however
detcstable his character, has displayed great mill
tary talent. He led his troops 70 battle under cir
cunstanccs which, he was well aware, would caus
them to fight with desperation. They were not onl,
filled with confidence from their immense superior
ity of numbers, but rendered desperate by hunge
and the hope Of booty, which he had promise,
them, and which supplied the want of higher mo
tivcs Of action, such inspired the superior rae
with which they had to contend. In the words o
Byron:
9Th Assyrian came down like wolf on the plain,
but the shepherd prepared 10 receive him. ant
drive him back bowling to the desert. Thcsuddcr
retreat of General Taylor from his advanced posi-
ton 10 his chosen battle ground, no doubt unex
pected, must have had the effect Of dsconccrtinf
the enemy. By thus meeting him at the edge o
the desert, he awaited himsclf, like skilful com
msnder, Of all the advantages Of circumstances
What events the war may bring FORTH II II should
continue IL IL impossible 70 forete but II 10 certain
that the series Of victories which have been thus fl
achieved by him have not been surpassed in on
military history, while that Of Buens Vista stand
unequslled ". N. BRACKENRIDGE.