The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-03-03

'
Buena Vista.
a correspondent of the Richmond En-
quirer thus describes the field of Buen Wis
ia, long after the sounds of the battle had
died away when the roar of cannon, the
groans of the perishing, the shouts of the
triumphant, had all ceased. and tho vulture
aud the jackal had retired frum their horri.
BILE rcpast:
81 frs, rode near the battlefield Of Bue-
ma Vista, with some half dozen officers,
one of whom was 1t Benham, TyI ograph-
ical Engineer, who shared the peris of tie
fight. lie first led US. by the long ditch
where repose the remains Of the Americans
who fell in the battle. A hundred yards
further, we came 10 the narrow pass between
the base OF high hill and the deep canons
or gullcys which The Mexicans call Angos-
turus, (the narrows,) where WIS stationed
the battery of Col. Washington. with n
small ditch on the light, in which lay two
!
hill TO the left behind some loose rocks hast
lily piled up, were posted some Illinois
troops. A deep ditch was dug across the
narrows. which are not more than thirty feet
wide, in front Of the battery.
Next wa passed up the valley, eleven hpn-
dred yards distant, TO the spot where the
discharges ol Washington's battery stopped
the onset of the host Of Mexican cavalry
that attempted charge upon his position.
A few hundred yards further, behind the
hills is where the Mexican legions concen.
ira,ed before the commencement of the ac-
lion. From the las,-named point we ascen-
ded to the pateaus, where TIE main action
took place, which, at glance, appears 10
be a vast plain, but which, in reality, is bro>
ken by many ravines, stretching down from
the mountains Here and there on The field
we passed an arm, leg, or a skull of some
MeXican, or pile of their dead, who hav-
ing lallen in battle, were hastily and sights
ly buried, and afterwards uncovered and
manglcd and scattered by beasts Of prey.
Passing further on, we looked upon the
spot beside a little bush, where Lincol
was laid 10 bleed to death and down in a
ravine, we arrived at the place where the
amiable Clay fell, fighting to the last. There
TOO, fell Harding and near by lies the Mex>
lean and his horse whom Harding slew in
his last moments.
Here is the spot where Bragg made his
memorable stand and here lies his dead
horses and out there in front is huge
pile Of dead Mexicans, whom his grape shot
cut down, and whose shrieks and groans
rose above the noise of all conflict But
tons and caps, and shoes. and fragments OF
various other cloIhing, and grape shot, and
bullets, and cartridges, and fiints, ard frag-
ments Of bombs, we met At every step.
Over The whole field, eight miles in diane
ter, numerous evidences existed that there
had been fearful struggle. AT the head
Of a ravine we reached the spot to which
Benham was sent by Gen. Tay lor, 10 recon-
noire the enemy, after one of their repul>
ses. Benham observed n crowd of Mexican
lancers about half mile distant, apparent
ly in much confusion some seeming anx~
ious to como and fight again, and some anx-
ious 10 90 the other way. In few seconds,
however cannon ball struck the ground
NJ tnhf To- nT r., ,a,,
half minute longer, and another bali
struck about the same distance on his left
Thinking the rascals might split the differ
ence AT the next fire, Benham said he speeds
lily vamposed down the ravine, TO make his
report 10 Gen. Taylor.
Then came the tug Of war" and long
and fearfuny the battle ragged. By scores
the Mexican cavalry sunk down beneath the
sweeping showers of grape and rifle shot
Well did they fight, for Mexico's beloved
qnd greatest chief was spectator Of their
struggle. And many a brave American,
too was destined 10 heave his last sigh, afar
from the home OF his childhood. The bat
lie of Buena Vista produced gap in many
a happy circle, both in Mexico and Amer
lea; vacant places were made which never
can be filed again on earth. No prisoners
were taken in The battle and The Mexicaus,
beaten, cowed and starving, retreated at
night in wild confusion, leaving their dead
and wounded to tho tender meIcies of their
victorious enemies"