Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-08-03
BuENA vrsrA-prrs OF HISTORY.

addresses, though they abound in noble tes
timonials 10 the worth of the departed hero
contain little OF nothing that is new. A few,
however, are of a different class, and EN-
body facts respecting Gen. Taylor hitherto
not generally known Among this last de-
scrption of addresses is one pronounced at
Salem, Mass, on the 18th inst, by the Hon.
c. w. Upham. 1t contains an account of the
celebrated flag of truce, which, during the
battle of Buena Vista, was sent from Santa
Anna 10 Gen. Taylor; and as this account
was derived from the lips of the late Presi-
dent, it is veracious in every respect and will
hereafter pass into history. The passage is
as follows:
"As this incident Of the battles may poss-
bly, if The secret history of the war is ever
fully revealed, be found TO shed light upon
it, will here record the facts related TO me
by Gen. Taylor himself. During the height
of the conflict flag was seen approaching.
The emergencies of the day had so stripped
him of his staff, that, having no one TO send,
he went himself TO meet it. AS the young
officer who bore it could not speak English,
nor he Spanish, the conference took place in
French. The communication was this
General Santa Anna desires to know what
General Taylor pantstn Feeling somewhat
indignant that message so apparently i'm
pertinent should have been sent at such a
moment, and regarding it as perhaps de-
vice merely to gain time bt some o,het ille-
gitmate advantage, or, at the best, as spe-
cies of trifing, he gave an answer dictated
by the feeling of the moment-"What Gen.
Taylor wants is General Santa Annals Army"
Here the conference closed, and the Mexi-
can officer withdrew. Upon moments re-
Election, he regretted that he had given an
answer, so undiplomatic, and having so much
the air OF a repartee. He called TO mind the
fact that his government had advised him
that they favored the return of Santa Anna
TO Mexico, from belief that he was disposed
to promote, and might have influence enough
with his countrymen TO effect termination
| of the war, and it occurred TO him really de-
signed 10 upon the way for negotiation, and,
perhaps, pacificaton-an object ever near
TO his heart. He rode over the fields in
search Of Gen. Wool, made known tho cir
cumslances to him, and suggested, if not too
great personal exposure, the expediency of
his carrying flag TO the Mexican lines to
ask an explanation Of the message.
To send an officer Of his rank, character
and position, would remove the iudignity, il
it should be so regarded, of his blum! and sum.
mary answer, Gen. Wool readily and gallant
ly undertook the service, and rode forth io
execute it, but the fire Of the Mexican bate
ries could not again be stopped, and no fur
ther parley took place. The next morning
when Col. Bliss was sent with flag 10 iht
Mexican Head Quarters, he was requested Il
ascertain what had been intended by the mes
sage Of the previous day, but he found tn
state of things such as 10 render it vain t
enter upon the subject The import Of tn
message remains unriddled to this day.
Santa Anna can undoubtedly solve the enig
ina"
Mr.. Upham, in the course of his address
gives numerous anecdotes, exhibiting tn
late Presidents courage and generosity. A
mong other instances Of the display Of thes
qualities on the part of the deceased her
he gives The following:
"In the conversation, from which derive
, these interesting items Of information, Gel
, eral Taylor described TO me the anxious col
sultations of the second night of the battl
His officers came to him; one after anoth
expressing decided opinion that his arm
3 was loo mnch broken 10 be brought up
t the struggle another day. He declared
a Them his belief that, dreadfully as hisfoTc
e had suffered the enemy had suffered wors,
e that retreat or any other alternative was e
o tirely out of the question, that he had ma'
d his arrangements to present, still, formid
V BILE front to the foe, and all that remained
e them was to make up their minds TO conqu
o or die together, if the assault upon the po
q lion should De TeneWeu Win the IeluIul
$ light. "But," said he, "gentlemen, it "
h not be renewed. surveyed the whole fie
v as the sun went down. and | believe we ha
/. beaten the enemy"
so When the third day dawned 1t was d
VS. covered that Santa Anna had fed from
ID ground. General Taylot instantly orderet
IS train of wagons, provided with medical
III o,het means of relief, and accompanied
d. surgeons from his own army TO follow
the track Of the Mexicahs and administer
" the wants of the wounded and disabled WHIT
n they had abandoned on their tetreat' VI
T. some ones expressing doubt whether 81
: a use of the public stores and wagons Tor
re, benefit of the enemy, would be allowed
he the Department, Taylor Gu, the difficult sh
his at once, by saying, "rhen Twill pay the b
he and TO provide for the contingency, he
rected separate account to be kept Of all I
a. was expended for the purpose
.a BissEL,s RETR EAT AT BUENA Visit
Ter We have been told by one who was th
there mnutie Of the proceeding When
aid on duty, iwho was Col. Churchilll 2