The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-03-02
The Anniversary of the Battle Of Buena
Vista-The Indiana Regiment.

Vsta-The Indiana Regiment.
How rapidly time flies. The events of
the Mexican War, which seem but yester-
day in our recollection, are vanishing away
in the deep vista of the past, and new
generation is rapidly coming upon the
stage Of action, who have no remembrance
of it-no knowledge about it save what
they have derived from subse quent history.
We can hardly believe that to-day is the
twelfth anniversary of the Battle of 3uena
Vista, one of the most extraordinary ac-
tions recorded in military annals. But
when we look around Us we are reminded
of the considerable lapse of time by the
ravages which he has made among the
men who are historically identified with
it. President Polk, under whose Admin
istration it occurred, VIM. L. Marcy, the
Secretary of War who urged on its prose-
cution, Zachary Taylor, its most renowned
military leader. with Generals Worth,
Smith, Colonels Duncan, Bliss and other
leaders hardly less celebrated, have paid
the debt ofnature.
The ranks Of the volunteers and privates,
that upheld the honor of their country
in distant foreign land, have been fear
fully decimated by the sword of the irwin
chile destroyer. Twelve years ago to-day !
was fought the sanguinary battle of Buena
Vista. Less than five thousand Amer.
cans nearly all volunteers, who haG seen
but little service, received the shock, and
glorioasly defeated ar army Of twenty
thousand Mexics1s, led on by the redoubt-
able Santa Anna. AS the sun rose bright
and glitteriGg that morning over the hill
tops of San Luis Potosi, and the Ameri-
cans, beheld the immense aud overwhelm-
ing numbers of their enemies, who, by q
splendid and rapid movement, that reflects
the greatest credit upon the military ge-
MUS of Santa Anna, had crossed the desert
from San Luis Potosi, by a forced march,
it was evident that the other engagements
of the war had been but child's play to
that which was so soon to commence
The American position was, indeed,
critical. The blunder which deprived
General Taylor of all his regular and ve-
teran troops, the heroes of Monterey and
Palo Alto, by sending them to Vera Cruz
with General Scott-leaving him only the
volunteers under Wool as the bulk of his
force-then appeared likely to entail
: upon the army utter ruin and destruc-
ton. 7 a#
), Santa Anna, seeing Taylor exposed ir
this manner and hastily collecting large
: force, determined to pounce upon him al
5 an eagle upon its prey, and, by SO doing
J, repress the disasters of Cerro Gordo, anG
;, save his capitol from the footsteps of th'
:, American invaders. The design was {
}, Napoleonic one, and executed with un
!, common gallaatry. Although men ant
/. horses died rapidly in that dreadful forced
Z, march across the burning deserts, withou
S water or suhiciency of food, it was stern
d Iy prosecuted with zeal which, at least
deserved success. Some shots were ex
e changed between an American outpost
under the command of Colonel Marshal
j. of the Kentucky Regiment, which was sta
d toned on an important hight, and tn
Mexicans on the evening of the 22d.
e They were the patering drops of raj
d which gave promise of the tremenduou
a shower of bullets and grape that was com
W ing. When the morning of the 23d al
IS rived, Santa Anna very kindly gave Gen
, eral Taylor, by cartel, an opportunity {
surrendering at discretion, which that ga
liant old veteran very respectfully declined
n Of the general details and incidents {
this battle we do not intend to speak, sav
to say that in no action ever fought upo
re this continent was American valor NOR
a conspicuously displayed. They were as
IL sailed by an enemy twenty thousand stron
-four to one of their own numbers
:" y the odds were apparently desperate again'
y them. They saved the day by no mil
re tary tactics and maneuvering, but by shee
al hard fighting and bulldog pertinacity an
. courage. Had it not been for these qua
tiles of old "Rough and Ready" and h
= men. that day, now so glorious in OF
le military annals, would have seen revers
t. which would have plunged our country
e, mourning, and made its recollection or
10 of sadness to all succeeding generation
While speaking of the courage and ga
lantry displayed. it is we'll enough to vii
dicate the reputation of gallant ofic,
in of our sister State of Indiana, and of Il
he regiment under his command. We a
ly lude to Colonel Bowles' regiment. Th,
c. Officer gave an order to his troops whit
was strongly understood to be- q directie
rs to fall back and retreat. In the endeavor
n rectify it, scene of disorder occurt
a. which ended in its utter fight and di
8, bandment. Colonel Bowles, unable
ey stem the torrent, seized musket al
C. fought gallantly as private in the Mi
sissippi Regiment, under Colonel Da'
he which was in the :hickest of the fight.
of We have been assured by brave ofic
al- attached to Colonel Marshall's Kentucl
ng Regiment, and who personally kno'
in about the incidents of the fight, that mu
NJ injustice has been done to Colonel Bow
in and his regiment by public opinion,