The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-27

{ General Taylor, although an eX-
cellent soldier, and a man Of strong
good sense in the everyday affairs
of life, bad been educated in the camp,
and knew no more of craftsmanship
or the operations Of government than
a Comanche Indian nor was he dis
tinguished for eOlloquial accomplish
ments or narrative or descriptive tai
ent Then be had a habit Of hesita-
ton in conversation that amounted
almost to a stammer He spoke in a
terse, sententious style upon subjects
with which he was familiar, and his
suggestions, especially on military
matters were marked by quick per-
ception and sound Judgment. But
be was neTer diffuse or demonstra-
tive, and wasted no words upon any
BODY.
Judge Butler, colleague in the
Senate of Mr. Calhoun. calling to
paw his respects TO the President,
begged him to describe the manner
in which the battle of Buena Vista
was fought. His brother, Pierce
Butler, commanding the Palmetto
regiment, and q very gallant officer,
fell in the battle, and the Judge was
naturally anxious TO learn the par
tieuIars of that desperate contest /
"WeIl, well, Judge, you want to know |
how the thing was done Come and I
dine with me to-day, and I'll tell you !
all / know about it."
Judge Butler was hasty, impetu- /.
Gus man, and the words flowed from /
bis mouth in a torrent whenever he /
had occasion 10 speak. He was al !
impatienee during the dinner, and
the moment they were alone he 1
brought up the subject Of the battle
Yes, yes, Judge, your brother
was brave man, and behaved like q
true soldier. But about the battle
you want to know how it was
Yes, general, il you will be so
kind | wish to learn how your
troops were disposed on the field, and
how you posted them to resist force
so overwhelming. Santa Anna must +
have outnumbered you four or FIVE
to one"
"The difference was greater than
that, | think, but we didn't stop to
count the Mexicans. | knew there
was a heavy force, and lOnged for
couple OF regiments more Of regu-
lars"
Undoubtedly" said the Judge,
-'but what was your order of battle ?"
Why, why, YOU see, Judge, We
went to fighting early in the morn
ing the first day, and we fit all day
long, losing a good many men, and
ut night it looked pretty bad" f.
"Well, what next ?"
When it got dark | rode over to
Saltillo TO look after our stores and
10 provide against q surprise
"Why did YOU go yourself, Why
not send one of your aids ?"
"You see Judge, every thing de-
pended on not having our supplies
,ut of. and | wanted to see after
.hings myself"
How was it the next morning
when you came on the field ~ in {
Iuired Judge Butler
Not much change since the night
before"
"Who was the FIRST man you luet ?"
General Wool"
And what did he say - /
"All is lost
What was your reply :"
Maybe so, general-weU see.
And upon that we went to fighting
!gain, and fit all that day, and to-
ward night it looked better" I
The Judge looking. rather blank,
sked, What next I''
well, the next morning it was
eported to NE that Santa Anna and
II his men had disappeared in the
light, and l was devlish glad TO be
id of them so"-From "Recollec-
ions of an Old Stager,n in HarPer's
Magazine for September