Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-09-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Illinois Argus
BIGSEL's RETREAT AT BUENA
VISTA

We have been told BY one who was there, the
minute of this proceeding. When the aid on
duty (who WAS Colonel Churohill) gave Colonel
Bissel the order TO retreat, the Indiana regiment
was in rapid flight, In rear OF Blssel's scattered
over half mile of ground, each mah evidently
thinking the battle lost and trying to save HIM
self and as soon as Bssels men should be ia.
be in full view, and of course the panic they
were under must naturally somewhat influence
those who stood. Six thousand Mexican lltan-
try were pouring down upon the devoted gegl-
ment in steady advance by column, IA front
and flank, and assailed them within point blank
distance with hail storm of iron and lead ;
four thousand cavalry We're looming up behind
these columns of infantry, waiting for tavora-
bic moment, at the least sign OF wavering on
our part, to charge, and complete the work OF
destruction three pieces OF artillery were thun-
dering on them their death messengers OF grape
and canister, tearing through their ranks like
a hail storm OF vengeance and they seemed to
stand alone, exposed to all this concentrated at
tack determined on their humiliation.
To the aid, Col. Bissel replied II am not
ready to retreat yet" whilst his regiment con-
tinued returning the fire of the Mexicans. In a
few moments the Col. ordered, 'Ecease firing !"
shoulder arms ~ "dress !" The Mexican fire
was abated, and then for at least two minutes
did that noble body of men stand under steady,
CALLING and rakng fire of artillery and musket-
~, with an overwhelming force Of infantry and
cavalry advancing upon them, unblanching and
unwayering, without firing gun.
Not man moved, while their Colonels eye
ran along the line TO see II any qualed-sA-
bout face !" "dress p forward n.arch?' they
moved off in common time. "Qulck time
march !"-and the regiment retired under cir
,,,lI .l il1,I no
history of war in causing panic. The Next
cans considered themselves certain OF victory,
and with ''vivas'' and 'hurrahs" on come their
splendid cavalry, surging down in their green
and scarlet, their plumes waving, and lances
cleaning in the sun, with their thousand gay
steamers catching beams as every breath OF air
ffuttered them like glittering leaves OF fairy
forest, upon that apparently devoted body OF
men.
Two hundred yards passed, Bissel's men
reached the spot designed for them to hold
The lancers were preparing for the last charge,
which was to hurl our brave fellows in the ra-
vine before them. "Halt !" 'sdress % Coolly
and calmly as if on parade, did those Suckers O.
hey the commands, whilst the thunder OF squad
ron after squadron on the slope they had just
could not see them, but they could hear the hor-
ses hcos, the jingle of sabres and the clatter Of
lances, the inspiring charge of the bugle and
the ''vivas' of the men, as they rushed on to
the seemingly easy victory and no doubt many
an eye glanced involuntarily around-for it is
fearfn. :hing to know that an enemy is upon
your back but not a muscle moved.
''About facet" Commence firing J" and a
volley of musketry rolled upon those huzzaing
cavaliers, which silenced their cheering and as
their numbers lessened and their charges swerv'
ed from this serried line of men who knew no
defeat, their column wavered, trembled, as it
were slackened in speed, and broke in confu-
sion. Ralying back in tumultuous retreat up
on the infantry the whole division was involved
in inextricabe confusion, and in disorder left
the field. Thus was the tide OF battle turned on
that eventful day, and less than halfa full regi
ment in numbers defeated ten thousand of the
flower of Santa Annals army; and that, too
when the enemy was rushing in flushed with
victory and encouraged by the flight Of one reg
iment, saving the credit Of our arms and the
lives CT the thousands who stood there with
them