The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-28
A TALE or BUENA VISTA.

The sun rose in cloudless sky on that
memorable ODD of February, lighting
up the gloomy valley of Los Angosturas,
or the Narrows, as it was more common
ly called, with a rejecting brilliancy that
made the hoary peaks of the Sierra Ne
vada glitter and sparkle till the lonesome
ravines seemed alive with its refracting
rays. Hardly lonely, however, was the
usually quiet valley on this eventful
day. For eleven miles above Aqua
Nueva, and near the hacienda OF Buena
Vista, from which the subsequent battle
received it's name, were encamped some
5000 of Taylor's veterans hardy men,
every one of them, and of tried courage,
the heroes of many battles, and willing
to risk their lives anywhere their intrepid
commander would lead them.
They had taken up their present posi-
ton i'll consequence of the approach of
vastly superior body of Mexicans. The
position was a strong one, their flank
being protected by mountains which
rose abruptly on each side these, to-
gether with the ravines and gullies by
which the space between the armies was
broken, formed one of the greatest nat
ural fortresses spoken of in history.
Below them was the glittering army
of Santa Anna, consisting of not less than
%, 900 well-armed men; their gayly-col-
ored uniforms contrasting strongly with
the plain and serviceable suits of Taylors
men.
The American forces were placed so
as to secure every advantage; the road
running through the valley was swept by
their artillery; while the troops, without
exception, were in the best of spirits. 1t
was Washington's birthday, and that, of
itself, the men thought, would give sue
cess to their arms.
Early on the Odd, Santa Anna endeav-
ored to turn the American left. He was
successful the comparatively small
body of Americans could not withstand
the powerful columns of Ampudia. But,
as the Mexicans seemed on the eve of
victory, Gen. Taylor arrived with rein
forcements from Saltillo.
BY great exertions the Colonel in COM
mand rallied part of his own regiment
the Mississippi Rifes-and a part of
the Second Indiana, and by quick adj
vance drove back strong body of Mex
lean lancers. Quickly forming his men
in the shape of letter V, he awaited
their approach.
On came the Mexicans at O sweeping
gallop, their shouts and laughter as
well as their gaudy uniforms, seeming
more fit for the ballroom than the stern
realities of the battle ground. Their
careless riding, and the gay jokes they
passed among themselves, showed that
they expected an easy victory. Their
intended prey, however, manifested little
alarm; like so many statues they stood
in their places, each occupying certain
portion of the V, their arms ready for
instant use, to be sure, but otherwise
they seemed utterly unconscious of the
approach of an overwhelmingly superior
force Of the enemy.
"Poor devils |" said tail Mississippi
rifeman, in low tone, to still taller
companion; CT reckon they don't under
stand the Colonels tactics, or they
wouldn't be quite so anxious to examine
the rihemen's ""
The person addressed was a tailor
rather an extra tall-soldier. He was
clad in a cheap, coarse suit like his COM
panions, and appeared to be about 40 |
years of age. His limbs were massive,
but well-formed and shapely, made up |
rather of large bones and muscles than
of superhuous flesh; in short, he was
man who could endure a long tramp
without firing, and be ready for action
when his companions we're completely
worn out and exhausted. His face
might once have been handsome, but
now it was SCARED and scanned by con-
slant exposure to deadly warfare and no
less deadly elements. But his eyes
his eyes were what would have called
for the second look; black as midnight,
md as quick and sharp as lightning;
eyes which if once seen would never be
forgotten.
Such was Glen Atwood; a man who