The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-02-27
Anniversaries.

cry, was born. His home was ii.
Westmorcland County, Virginia, but
it was at the historic and much loved
Mount Vernon that he passed away,
December II, 1899. The achieve
ments bound in those sixty seven
years of Washington lie arc record
ed in ever: history of tho United
States. The record Of Washington
career is, indeed, the history of early
America.
On February % aud %, 1917, was
fought the battle of Buena Vista, one
Of the decisive conflicts of the Mexi-
can War.
General Zachary Taylor was in COM
mand at Buena Vista. The position
chosen hy him WIS ut the north end
OF the valley known as Las Angostu-
ras. or the Narrows, and near the
hacienda or plantation known as
Buena Vista, from which the battle
took it's name. Tie American furccs
were disposed so as TO secure every
advantage afforded by the lay of the
land, and tho road through the pass
the key to the whole position-was
swept by artillery. The troops were
in high spirits. Il was Washington 8
birthday, and this incident was COM
mented upon as being good omen.
About noon Mexican officer brought
a note to General Taylor, in which
Santa Anna demanded the surrender
Of the American Army. This demand
was refused, but nothing definite was
accomplished that day.
During the night of the 22d, Santa
Anna REINFORCED the column under
Ampuda, and opened the battle at
daybrcak on the 23d of February by
trying to turn the American left.
This attempt was successful, but the
attack upon the center was repulsed
by the Americans.
At this moment General Taylor ar
rived upon the field from Saltillo,
bringing with him Mays Dragons,
several companies of Mississippi rifle
men, and portion Of the Arkansas
cavalry. embracing every man that
could be spared from Saltillo. 1t was
a critical moment, for the turning Of
the American left flank had neutraliz-
ed the advantage of the position.
Many Of the troops were in retreat
upon Bucna Vista, and nothing but
the courage Of the remainder could
save the day. BY great cxcrtio, 8
Colonel Jefferson Davis rallied the
greater part of his own regiment-the
Mississippi ri1es-and part of the
Second Indiana, and by sharp ad-
vance drove the enemy from his front.
This had barely been accomplished
when thousand Mexican lanccrs at
tackled him. Forming his men into
letter V, with the opening towards the
enemy, Davis ordered them to await
tie near approach of the enemy. He
had posted Sherman's battery on the
left, and the Mexicans galloped into
fire which could not b. withstood.
They fed.
While this attack was going on, the
Mexicans sent body of cavalry un-
der Torrejon to take the plantation of
Buena Vista. They were driven back
by the Kentucky and Arkansas volun-
seers, assisted by Colonel Nays Dre-
goons. Colonel Yell of the Arkansas
regiment was killed and Torrejon
wounded in the engagement.
Santa Anna now sent strong force
to the left in the effort to gain Tay-
lor's rear, and Torrejon's retreatipg
men joined their comrades. The
movement was detected By Colonel
May, who met the enemy. General
Taylor sent assistance in cavalry and
Bragg's Battery. Surrounded, the
5000 Mcxicans seemed ready to sur
render or be exterminated.. In this
emergency the white flag was raised,
and parley asked for. The Amcri-
cans ceased firing, whcreupon the
Mexican right escaped under. the flag
of truce and joined the main army, at
the base Of the mountain.
Santa Anna brought up his reserves,
aud, with $4,000 men, rushed to at
tack the Americans, who had been
fighting eight hours aud who were ou:-
numbered nearly four to one Tay-
lors only hope was to concentrate his
scattered regiments. Bragg's artillery
was tho first to arrive in re enforce
ment. Others Of tho Americans came
up rapidly. The Mexican right flank
was turned, and they broke and fed