Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-07-30
B:sse,ps Retreat at Buena Vista.

We have been told by one who was
there, the miull;G Of the proceeding
When tho aid on du,y, twho WIS tol,
Churchill,) gave Col. Eisseli the order to
retreat, the Indiana regiment was IN RAPID
flight, in rear of Bissell's, scattered over 4
half mile of ground, each man evidently
thinking the batRc lost and evidently Try
mo 10 save himself; and as soon as BIS
sells men should be faced about, to Tall
back, those flying men would be 'htu''
view, and The panic they were under
must naturally influence somewhat NOSE
wLo stood. Six thousand Mexican IN
Entry were pouring down upon Tins de-
voted regiment, in steady advance by col
umn in front and flank, assaling them
within point blank distance, with sleady
hail storm of iron and lead; four thousand
cavalry were coming up behind these IN
fantry, waiting for favorable moment, at
the least sign of wavering on our part, TO
charge and complete the work OF deslruc-
ton three pieces of artillery were thun-
dcring on them their death messengers OF
crane and canister, tearing through their
ranks like hail storm Of vengeance, and
,hcy seemed to stand alone, exposed to all
his concentrated attack, determined on
their annihilation.
TO the aid, Col. Bissell replied: 81 am
not ready to retreat yet" whilst his regl-
ment continued returning the fire of tse
NIeyicans. In few moments the Colo
mel ordered, "cease frjng!' shoulder
arms ~ ..drcsst" The Mexican fire was
abatcd, and then, for at leasttwo minutes
did that noble body Of men stand under a
steady. calling and raking fire of artillery
and musketry, with an overwhelming force
Of infantry and cavalry advancing upon
them, unbleaching and unwaverlng with
out firing gun.
Nota man moved, while their Colonel
eve ran along the line to see II any one
ouaiIed. About iacen 'dress! forward
march y they moved off in common time.
"Quick ,ime-march, and the regiment
rctired. under circumstances which have
never failed before in the history OF war,
in ceasing panic. The Mexlcans con-
.idcred themselves certain of victory, and
with svivas and hurrahs,' on came their
splendid cavalry, surging down in their
green and scarlet, their Plumes waving
and their lances cleaning in the sun, with
their thousand gay sreamers catching the
plistening beams as every breath oil air
fluttered them like differing leaves OF a
fairy forest, upon that apparently devoted
body of men. :,
Two hundred yards quickly passed,
Bissel's men reached the spot designed
for them to hold. The lancers were pre-
pairing for the last charge, which was to
hurl our brave fellows into ra'ine before
Them. Halt = dress! Coolly and calm
" as if no parade, did these Suckers obey
the command, whilst the thunder OF squad
ron after squadron, on the slope they had
lust left, told that the enemy was upon
them. They could not see them, but they
could hear the horses hoefs, the jingle OF
sabres, and the clatter Of lances, the insPi-
riting charge of the bugle, and the 'vlyas'
Of the men, as they rushed on to seeming
" EASY victory: and no doubt many a
heart futtered, and many an eye glanced
Involuntary around-for II was fearfuI
thing to know that an enemy IS upon your
hack but not a muscle swerved.
about facet commence firing and
volIey of musketry rolled upon those
buzzaiSg cavaliers, which silenced their
cheering and as column and rank went
down before that deadly and steady fire
as their numbers lessened, and their char
oers swerved from this serred line OF men
Who knew no defeat, their column waver-
ed, trembled as it were, slackened In
sneed. and broke in confusion. Raliying
hack in tumultuous retreat upon the enc
NV, the whole division was involved IN
incxtricable confusion, and Ill disorder Tell
the field. Thus was the tide of battle
turned ON that eventful day, and less than
half full regiment in numbers defeated
ten thousand of the flower ofSanta Anna
army; and that, too, when the army was
rushing in, flushing with victory. aad en-
couraged by the flight of one regiment
saving the credit Of our arms, and the lives
Of thousands who stood there with them
Illinois .4rgus.