The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-09-12
General Taylor and the Battle of
Rnhna Vista

Buena Vista.
General Taylor, although an ex
cellent soldier, and a man of stron,
and good sense in the every day al
fairs of life, had been educated il
the camp, and knew no more O
craftsmanship or the operations O
Government than q Commanche In
dian; ror was he distinguished fol
coloquial accomplishments or nara
tive or descriptive talent. Then he
had a habit of hesitation in conver
sation that amounted to almost a
stammer. He spoke in a terse,
sententious style upon subjects with
which he was familiar, and sugges
tiOns, especially on military matters
were marked by quick perceptions
and sound Judgment. Bet he was
never dihuse or demonstrasive and
wasted no words upon anybody.
Judge Butler, colleague in the
Senate of Mr.. Calhoun, calling to
pay 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 a very gallant officer,
fell in that battle, and the Judge was
naturally anxious to learn the par
ticulars of that desperate contest.
We'll, well, Judge, you want to know
how the thing was done. Come and
dine with me to-day, and I will tell
you all | know about it"
Judge Butler was hasty, impet-
uOus man, and the words flowed
from his mouth in torrent when
ever he had occasion to speak. He
was all impatience during the din
ner,and the moment they were alone
he brought up the subject of the bat
Tie.
Yes. Yes, Judge, your brother
was brave man, and behaved like
a true soldier. But about the battle
you want to know how it was
Fought"
"Yes, General, if you will be SO
kind, wish to know how your
troops we're disposed on the field,
and bow you posted them to resist a
force so overwhelming Santa Anna
must have Outuumbered Won fOur or
five to one"
"The difference was greater than
that, l think, but we didn't stop to
count the Mexicans. l knew there
was heavy force, and longed for a
couple regiments more of regulars. ("
Undoubtedly" said the Judge,
"but what was your order Of battler'
"Why why, you see, Judge, went
to fighting early in the morning the
first day, and we fit all day long,
loosing a good many men, and at
night it looked pretty bad"
"Well, what next?'
"When il got dark rode over to
Saltillo to look after our stores and
to provide against surprise"
"Why did you goyourself?- Why
not send one Of your aids?"
"You see, Judge, everything de-
pended on not having our supplies
cut of, and / wanted to see to things
myself"
Chow was it the next morning,
when you came on the feld?' in
luired Judge Butler.
''Not much change since the night
before"
"Who was the first man you metz"
General Wool"
"And what did he say?"
"All is lost"
"What was your repIy?7
"Maybe so, General-we'll see"
And upon that We went to fighting
again, and fit all that day, and
,owards night it looked better.
The Judge, looking rather blank,
lsked, "What next?"
"Well the next morning it was re-
ported to me that Santa Anna and
Ill his men had disappeared in the
hight, and l was deyilish glad to get
id ofthem so."-Harper's WGgasjne
or September.