The National tribune., 1882-03-11

toAOAAouo Sl3Gi1l tAiO ASSSf IL 'S NA'NNS
chapter which records the clemency and
magnanimity of our country in its treaty of
peace and reconciliation with the govern
ment and people of Mexico.
1t may be proper here to refer briefly to a
few OF the leading historical facts connected
with this brilliant achievement of our
arms.
The battle of Palo Alto was fought by
Gen. Taylor and the army under his COM
mand May s, 1886. This was the first bat
tie Of the war and the commencement of n
series of victories that stand unchalienged
and unequaled IN the annals Of any country
in modern times. From May 8, 1916, when
the battle Of Palo Alto was fought, Up to Sep
tember IA, 1S47, when the brave iegions Under
Gen. Scott entered the city and untETled
their standards in the proud capital Of the
enemy, not single defeat or reverse had
fallen upon our arms. In the brief period
Of sixteen months we had met the enemy at
Palo Alto, Resaca, Monterey and Buena
Vista in the valley of the Rio Grande, and
at Vera Cruz, Cerro GoTdo, Contreras, Churu-
busco, Mo!ino del Rey and Chepultepec on
the line from the Gulf.
These grand and glorious victories had
been won upon foreign soil, in an enemy's
country, upon fields chosen by themselves
and fortified and defended by all the arts
and appliances Of modern warfare, and
against an enemy outnumbering us more
than three to one upon every occasion.
Time Will not permit me to enter into
any lengthy review Of the thrilling events
of these grand victories. They have passed
into history, and we with confidence can
abide the judgment of mankind. 1t may
not be improper or unjust to say if we esti-
mate its results upon the enemy at the
time and upon cur own country, that the
victory Of Gen. Taylor at Buena Vista, with
his 5000 raw and undisciplined troops,
over the splendidly equipped army of Santa
Anna, numbering 10000 men, must ever be
regarded rs one OF the grahdest achievements
OF the war. Twas here that our citizen sol
diery displayed individual prowess and he
LOlSiI III liiO DitSEht1 vi ONti - 'NNA
worthy of the men who fought at Bannock-
burn and New Orleans.
The skill and rapidity with which this
formidable host was hurled upon General
Taylor by Santa Anna was perl 5 the
grandest achievement OF his checkered life.
When the Austriaus IN their camps beheld
the French legioES descending the Alps
amid snowdritt and storm, led on by one
whose name and deed were destined soon to
fill the world and before whose rising star
at Marengo and AusterIitz paled even the
glogies Of Pharsalia ard Marathon, they
could not have been more surprised than
was Gen. Taylor by the sudden and rapid
approach of Santa Anna and his army.
the plains Of ut. Tabor-with flying ban
ners and charging squadrons, and as stood
the intrepcd Kleber and his little army in
that terrible charge stood our comrades at
Buena Vista. Each man was hero. Col
umn after column of the enemy went down
before their deadly fire, and still they ral-
lied, reformed and charged again and again,
until darkness closed the scene. That night
our heroes slept upon their arms amid the
heaps of the dying and dead.
1t was q night of terrible suspense and
anxiety. Through the long, weary day they
had stood in the presence of overwhelming
forces, firm as the everlasting hills that
looked down upon them. Remembering the
T,rI I, A.
peration Of despair, and great was their joy
and triumph when daylight revealed the
fact that the enemy was then in rapid retreat
It was here that the life-blood OF Hardin,
Mckee, Clay, and Vaughn, and host of the
best sons of Kentucky was poured out as
sacred oblation to their country.
The Pilgrim to-day stands upon classic
Tabor, and, looking back through the cen
turies remembers the unearthly glory
which overshadowed its summit when the
mighty dead stood in the presence Of Him
"who spake as never man spake;" with I'M
sandaled foot and uncovered head he bows
upon the holy spot. So IL the years yet to
come, when the last hero who stood at
Buena Vista, shall have joined in the spirit
land the mighty dead who fell there, the
children of America, in their pilgrimage to
this historic field, will remember that the
ground upon which they stand is holy.
The bombardment and capture of Vera
Cruz, and the strong castle OF San Juan de
Ulloa On the 25th Of March, 1917, was the
commencement of o campaign no less bril-
liant and successful than that of Napoleon
in Italy. Since the time when Cortez led
his invincible army from the same place,
centuries before, and planted the flag of
Aragon and CASTLE upon the halls of the
Nontezumas, securing to his country, by
conquest, mighty empire on new CONT
nent, no event Of similar daring had ever
been undertaken until General Scott. with
his little army Of 1900, commenced his
march from the Gulf to tie City OF Mexico
On the 8th day Of April 1S47, the advance
corps, under General Twiggs, was directed to
move forward. On the 18th The enemy was
found strongly entrcnched upon the heights
Of Cerro Gordo. After sharp and desperate
struggle he was dislodged from his strong
position and driven back in the direction of
the capital. This army was composed of the
best fighting material OF the empire, led on
and encouraged by a 1anatical priesthood.
They were told that the American soldier