The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-17
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
SATURDAY MORNING. DECEMBER IS. lass
tins HERO or BUENA VISTA.

The New York Herald, in noticing the joint
resolution offered by Col. Bissell in the House
of Representatives, thanking the gallant Gen
Wool for his services at Buena Vista, and
making provision for sword to be presented
TO him, says: THUS, it will be seen, the real
hero of one of the most desperately fought
battles during the Mexican campaign Is ike
y to be officially awarded the honor TO winch
he is so justly entitled"
We do not believe that Col Bisseli designs
or that Gen. Wool would receive tribute To
himself Mt the expense of a dead soldier
memory Gen. Taylor is In his grave, but
his il,ustr;ous deeds live in the hearts OF
grateful people, who viii guard his fame with
Jealous love from the slightest breath OF de-
traction Gen. Wool was not the real hero
of Buena Vista, and it is reckless disregard of
the truth of history snd gross injustice to the
glorious dead, to make such an assertion
The political foes of Gen. Taylor never con
descended TO such SANDER while he lived,
and, they, as well Is his political friends, will
scout il now, as n calunny upon an American
warrior. whose fame should be precious to
every American heart.
Gen. Wool is a brave and accomplished
officer, and, in the battle of Buena Vista, ex-
ecuted with skill fidelity and valor, the designs
Of his commander But the soul OF that I'M
mortal fight WAS Zachary Taylor, and Gen.
Wool will not deny it. Neither Gen Nooi,
nor any other General in the American Army,
but Rough and Ready, would have decided
to fight that battle 1t all. They would have
deemed it the part OF prudence in our army,
composed mostly of volunteers, to retift
upon Monterey, in conformity whit the ad sict
Of Gen. Scott Or, if Gen. Wool had Tough
the battle, and been the sole commander, ht
would have been inevitably routed, if not an
initiated by the swarmi1s lesions of SAINT;
Anna. TWAS not the capacity Of thepositior
for military defence which enabled the Amer
lean volunteers to roll back the heavy co
luInns of the Mexican Napoleon. 1t was tht
confidence which each and all felt in the i'll
vincibility OF Old Zach, the moral force OF hi
mighty name, and the inspiring power of hi
personal presence, which gave victory to Oul
arms. He it was who resolved not to retire
knowing that it would demoralize volunteer
TO fall back in face of IN enemy, and be rod,
out to the battlefield calmly determined Il
conquer or die, and his troops, animated b.
his unconquerable spirit, and swayed by hi
iron viii, wereresolyed to conquer or die will
him. The cry of odd Zach 5 coming chan
ged the fortunes Of the fight, which, unde
Gen. Wool, had before that moment, worn
to say the least Oft doubtful aspect Oh
the memorable field of Buena Vista, all, Will
few exceptions, were heroes but it was mo
raj fully as much as physical power, and in
fnitely more than military skill, which game,
that bloody day, and that moral power wa
welded chiefly by Zachary Taylor. But 70
the influence OF his name and presence, tn
page of history would have recorded dis
NAL defeat, and the whole subsequent cam
paign from Vera Cruz light have had q yer
different termination.
We have said thus much, not to detrac
from the reputation of Gen. Wool, brave
accomplished and patriotic soldier, but to d
justice to the merits of hero whose fam
belongs to the Nation, and whose memor,
bright with thousand deeds of valor, gem
roSity and mercy, Virginia will ever cheris
as one of her brightest and most pricele;