Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-31
Dying Moments of Lieut.. Col.
Henry CLAW, Jr.

The battle of Buena Vista, which result
ed in the complete victory of 1000 Ameri-
can troops-principally inexperienced yolun-
teers-over 10000 Mexican soldiers, of the
regular army, will long be remembered with
pride, even by those to whom war in all its
forms is abhorrent and revolving. In spite
of unquestioned principle notwithstanding
deep-seated conviction that all war is a
madness and folly of which the world will
yet learn TO be ashamed--there is some
thing in our nature which causes the blood
to stir and the eyes to fill with sympathetic
tears, as we read of gallant self-devotion. or
call up before the fancy such a scene as the
artist has depicted with historic fidelity.
1t was on the ever-memorable 22d of Feb
ruary, that General Taylor left his camp
at Saltillo, and advanced to the position
where he bad determined to await the APP
proach of an immense Mexican force under
Santa Anna. The Mexioans advanced in
prodgious numbers, and conceiving them
selves quite secure oe victory, sent flag TO
Gen.Scott,a modest proposal for a surrender
at discretion. This was declined by the
General in a style of truly Roman sim
plicity; and our army for some reason was
deferred several hours, and was then con-
fined TO few ineffective movements, which
were soon Interrupted by the approach of
night.
On the 23d, the main battle-in which
the subject of our sketch was slain--was lost.
The Kentucky regiment, nj first stationed
on the right, was transferred to position
near the centre of the line, where il met
the fiercest of the onset After time, the
Mexicans, who had gained time by sending
a flag of truce TO ask achat Gen. TAYLOR soan-
ted obtained Temporary advantage but a
charge, in which the first Illinois regiment
and Mixes Kentuckians were foremost,
drove them back with great loss. A hot
pursuit now commenced, and our troops for
getful OF the disproportion in numbers be-
tween themselves and the enemy, pressed
on, until the Mexicans rallied in overwhelm-
ing force, and drove them back in turn. A
bloody fight took pl,ce in deep ravine ut
the foot of a bill, and M'Kee and Clay fell,
mortally wounded.
Lieut. Col. Clay was shot through the
thigh, and, being unable TO stand was taken
up and carried some distance by his men
but owing TO the steepness of the ascent the
difficulty became very great as the enemy
was pressing upon them in great numbers. |
Calm and fully himself under these dread
ful circumstances, Col. Clay, with gener.
osily which deserves to be remembered by |
the side of Sir Philip Sydney's conduct on
a similar occasion, begged his brave fellows
to leave him 10 his fate, since otherwise the |
sacrifice of the whole party was inevitable.
As they were about to comply, he gave his
pistols in charge TO one of them, with a /
message for his father, I" Tell bim," said he,
$ that ! used these to the last They were
his gift"
Here the enemy approached and the men
seeing the impossibility OF resistance, turned
and fled and looking back, beIeld their
gallant commander fighting with his sword
as he lay, while the Mexicans were stabbing
him with their bayone;s.