Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-07
THE RATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

80 inch in Rack Republican Journals abou. the easy
conquest of the entire South, the article below VIII De
read with interest, The enemy forget, probably int
men of the same heroic daring and firm resolve are still
alive, men who will prove 70 the world tfat they eau
neither be inundated by threats overawed BY num-
hers In reviewing Csbornes Life aud Times OF Quit
man. in DeBows Review, the writer saws:
An episode NAV be here tolerated in regard to the
conduct of the celebrated Mississippi Rifles under charge
of Colonel now President Jefferson Davis On the htld
of Buena Vista The great moNement the made by
Davis is said have been without previous parallel In the
art of war; and regarded by the Duke OF Weiing'
ton AZ new and mastery. IL was subsequently MADE,
we learn on the authority of Gen Gushing, on the fields
OF the Crimea.
The ,tie had been raging some time with huclua.
ting fortunes and setting against US, when General
TAYLOR With Colonel Davis and Others arrived on the
field Several regiments (which we're subsequently al-
lied and fought brsvey) were in uIl retreat bFen,
after having his and horses completely cut up, nad
been compelled to draw off bis guns, ana Bragg, with
almost superhuman energy, sustaining the oiunt oil
the fight Many officers OF distinction had fallen CoL
Davis rode forward examine the position OF the enc
nv and concluding that the best way 10 arrest our iu
oitiyes would be make bold demonstration be re-
solved at once to attack the enemy there posted IN
force Immediately in front, supported by cavalry, ana
two divisions in reserve in his IL was resolution
bold almost rashness; but the emergency was press
inc With n handful Of Indiana volunteers, who SUI
sood by tleir brave old Colonel Bowss) AID his own
repiment he advanced az doubequick time, firing as
he advanced His own brave fellows fell fast under the
rolling muskey OF the enemy, bu' their rapid ana a'a
yoeys carried dmsy and death into the adverse RANKS
A deem ravne separated the combatants Lesping mo
II the Missssr plans soon appeared the other sde
and with shout that heard over the battle L,
they poured 10 ell dir cted fire. and rushed upon II U
enemy Their deadly aim and wild enthusiasm was irr'-
ssbe The MexicaIs fled in confusion 10 their reserves
and Davis seized the commanding pos'ion they mad &C.
cupied He next fell upon party OF cavalry ana COM
peed il TO fg with the less of their leader aud other
officers Immediately afterwards brigade OF lsncer,
600 strong approaching at galop, In oeau-
tful array with sounding Duges aud uterng pennons
IL was an appalling spectacle, but not man nnched
rom his nosirion The ue between devoted band
and eternity seemed brief indeed But conscious that
tue eve of the army upon them, Il a. the honor ti
Mississippi At stake, and knowing that II they gave
way or ridden down, our unprotected batteries IN
the rear upon which the fortunes of the day DEPENDED
would be captured each resolved 10 die IN his place
sooner than retreat
"Not the Spartan martyrs at Thermopy e-uot the
sacred battalion OF EpamiDondasnot the tenth legion
OF Juliu; C@mr-not the Old Guard OF Napoleon-eVtr
eyicced more for ude than these young volunteers IN
crisis when death seemed inevitable. They stood like
statues az frgid and noioness as marble itsslf In
messed With this extraordinary rmLess, when they hsd
anticipated panic and flight, the ancers advanced more
deliberat,ly they saw Tor the hrst time 'he DARK
shadow Of the ete that WAS impending over them CeL
Davis had thrown his into the form OF re-enering
angle (famiiiary kuosn IA the famous movement
both hlnks resting rayiles tie sn;ers coming down
on the intervening ridge. This exposed them 20 cover
ing fire. and the momsnt they came within NM range
elch man singled out bis tject and the whole head OF
the column feel deadly fire never ives delivered
aud the brilliant Grray rcoiled aud retreaEed paTazed
and dsmsyed
"shorly afterward, the Hexicals having concentrated
large force on the right for their hna attack, COLONEL
Davis ordered in that direction HIS reg ment had
been in action all day: exhausted by thirst aud fatigue
much reduced by the carnage Of the morning engage
menr ana many the rauks suffering from wounds, yet
the noble ieo, - moved at double quick time. Bowes
little tand Of Indiana volunteers sill acted With them
After marching several hundred yards, they per
ceived Mexican infantry advancing in three lines upon
Braggs battery, gLi.h, though entirely unprotected
hsld Iii. posi- ion with resolution worthy OF his fame
The pressure upon him stimulated the Msssippians -
They increased their speed and when the enemy was
within one hundred yards of the battery and conndn
of its cspu-e they took bin 10 flank and reverse and
pour d in a raking and destructive fe. This broke his
light line ard the gave way aud fed back pre-
cipita-ely Here Col Davis was severely wound;d."
After this lengthy extract in regard 10 the heroic con-
duct Of Davis shall soon pass TO the act OF Qltman
at the gates OF Mexico; but, before doing 80, we will be
rermitted monetary notice Of the behavior Of the
South Carolina regiment under the h;e OF the Mexican
enemy Those who sneer Carolina courage and viz
tues are Ia general gnoTau. OF history to be affect
ed by the record Butler left bis sick bed against med.
ic advice 70 lead the Fametos. His horse vas shot
ed Dickinson row commanded, aud taking the hig
from BePgs was himself shot down. WAS also Beggs.
Batter esumDg the command killed by the side of
Dickinson under tie flag. Dickinson fell agsiu but now
morslly wounded aud GLADDEN., placing the Tag in the
hands Of l. olard led the charg. There was no gaver-
inc ~ d'ah swtp: through the racks Sho' and shell
tai upon them. TIE storm ragged
"l tie sh)lo history" says Claiborne, here has
never ..~u more striking example 81 indifference 10
death .re ,snlt Of resolve Each man fought for
the homer ct Carolina Several companies were almost
al:,ibia,el Sane had not enough left TO bury
their I'D or bear their dead to the 1uaEcss. The
uniform. Of some Of the officers literally torn from
heir pesors tie color bereis we're shot down. but the
asr hathed ia their blood, always sex a. hey fell,
and borne To the front Pfondly il hoaied through
the tempest of death until victory, had been Won;
and then all torn snd hloodstiued it dropped over It's
own glorious dead TIE regimen; entered The battle
with 273 rank and it, and when /; over IL muster
ed l6g Is had 40 missing; dead ard wounded made
10 the deficiency. Cldes Of noble State. son' Of
sunny cline branded by their couny trait for de-
fencing the Constitution and rights from usurpation and
outrage, yet dying cheerfuly Tor tha, country in
foreign aad the word may learn that such race IN de-
fence of their homssead and iu'titutons, ne
h. !, I,,ol