Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-05-17
Thrilling Incident at Buena yista-Death Of
Yonng Henry Clay N r.f'f
BY eEoReE LIPPARp.

IL was near the setting of the sun, when
the Man of Palo Alto, Resaea de la Palma,
and Monterey, saw the clouds come down on
the last charge of Buena Vista, that n scene
worthy Of the days of Washington closed the
day in glory. as., ~, ,.,,.. ..,,-4i.,o, llt sri-g
bo You behold that dark ravine, deep
sunken between these precipitous banls7 Here
no sunlight comes for these walls of rock
wrap the past in eternal twilight Withered
trees grow between the masses of granite, and
scattered stones make the bed of the ravine
uncertain and difficult for the tread.
Harld That cry, that rush like q mountain
torrent bursting its barriers, and quick as the
lightning flashes from darkness, the dismal
rayine is bathed in red battle light. FRONTS
northern extremity, confused band of Mex
leans, an army in itself come yelling along
the pass treading one another down as they
fly, their banners, spears, horses and men,
tossed together in inextricable confusion.
BY thousands theyrush into the shadows Of
the pass, their dark faces redeemed by the
sheeted blaze Of musketry. The cayerns of
the ravine send back the roar Of the panic
and the grey rocks are washed by their
blood. .-a .Iull
But the little band who pursues this armyl
Who are they1 You may see in their firm,
heroic ranks, the volunteer costume of Illi-
nois aud Kentucky. At their head, urging
his men with shouts, rides the gallant M Kee,
by his side young Henry Clay that broad
forehead, which reminds you of his father,
bathed in the glare as his sword quiyers on
high ere it falls to kill. There, too, o wild
figure red with his own blood and the blood
Of Mexican foes, his uniform rent in taters,
his arms barred to the shoulders, striking ter
rible blows with his good sword-Hardin Of
Illinois---comes gallantly forward. h1s isr
The small but iron band, hurl the Mexicans
from the nights into the ravine, and follow
up the chase, far down into the eternal twi-
light of that mountain pass. ..bd,fii,la {
y Lookl AS their musketry streams its
steady blaze you would think that one cease
less sheet oflightning hathed these rocks in
hamesl fgli .'iil' sa ..iaLs g o. ,ti ~
bi Over the Mexicans, man and horse hurled
/ back in mad disorder, the Americans dash on
their way never needing the overwhelming
numbers Of their foes, never needing the pal
pitating, forms beneath their feet, with bay
onet, and rife, and sword, they press steadily
on, their wei known banner streaming ever
more overhead 90 0H t.iE 90 ,,la-''. -
The howl of the dying war horse-harkl---
Does it not. chill your blood to hear it2 The
bubbling cry of the wounded man, with the
horses hoof upon his mouth, trampling his
face into hideous wreek--does it not sicken
your soul to hear it2 .Ts,4itj-'
A hundred yards or more, into the pass the
Americans have penetrated, when suddenly
young mexican, rushing back upon their
ranks seizes the fallen flag Of Anahaue, and
dashes to his death. ny ~. 20. .,,,.
To see him, Young and beardless, very
boy, rush with his country's flag with his
barred breast, upon that line of sharp steele
il was sight to stir towards into manhood,
and it shot into the Mexican hearts like an
electric flame.
Even in their panic stricken disorder, they
turned; by hundreds, they grasped their arms,
and rolled in one long wave of lance and
bayonet upon the foe. Woe to the brave
men of Illinois and Kentucky nowi Locked
in that deadly pass, a wall of infnriated Mex
leans between them and that wall Of rocks
above their heads through every aperture
among the cliffs, the blaze of muskets pour
ing a shower of bullets in their faces
wherever they turned, the long and deadly
lance pointed ut their throats-it was mo-
ment to think once Of home and die. rri
Il Those who survived that fearful moment,
tell with shuddering triumph Of the deeds Of
the three heroes--M Kee, Hardin and Clay.
MKee, you see him yonder, with his shat
tered sword dropping blood, he endeavors to
ward off the aim of those deadly lances, and
fights on his knees when he can stand no
longer, and then the combatants close over
him and you see him no more. O. d ul.
Hardin arose from heap Of slaughtered
foes, his face streaming from its hideous lance
wounds and waved q Mexican flag in triumph,
as his life blood rushes in a torrent over his
muscular form. That instant the full light Of
battle was upon his mangied face. Then
Aingine the captured flag to a brother soldier
he shouted--"Giye it to her as a memorial ol
Buena Vista My wifep II was his last
words. Upon his barea breast, the fury oi
ten lances rushed, and the horses hoofs
trampled him into the heap of dead q.
But most sad and yet most glorious Of all