story was believed by thousands. As will be seen by calculating the time between the march of General Worth from Saltillo, and the attack on General Taylor at Buena Vista, (when it is considered that San Luis is three hundred miles from that point,) Santa Anna did not long delay his movements. His large bodies of cavalry were despatched immediately in different directions. General Minon was sent to reconnoitre General Taylor at Saltillo; General Valencia to carry on the operations in the vicinity of Victoria, San Fernando, and Matamoras-while General Urrea was sent to play his part in the vicinity of Camargo, China and Monterey. The plan worked well; the rancheros in all parts of the valley left their homes and joined Valencia and Urrea, and so anxious were the inhabitants at and near Presidio, Rio Grande, to give a good account of themselves, that they raised funds by subscription and sent a party of traders to San Antonio, Texas, and purchased all the powder to be had in that town as early as the 30th of January. Mexican expresses were running in all parts of the country; and everything was on the " qui vive" for the great day when Santa Anna should "give the word" which would set this overwhelming machine in motion. Fifteen hundred rancheros joined Urrea in one day. The inhabitants of all classes left the principal towns where our troops were quartered; and those who had friends among the Americans besought them with tears in their eyes to leave the country, saying that they "knew their throats would be cut if they remained." A very respectable Mexican said to me, that he "was not an alarmist, but that he knew Santa Anna was advancing with an overwhelming force, and that notwithstanding he believed one American soldier to be equal to three Mexicans, yet he feared that it would be impossible for General Taylor to withstand the shock." Santa Anna's unparalleled march against San Antonio, Texas, in 1836, did not exceed the rapidity with which he moved the main body of his army from San Luis to Agua Nueva. So certain was he of victory, that he only took twelve days' provisions with him, saying to his men, "the immense granaries of the enemy are before you; you have only to go and take them." On they moved, full of life, full of hope; certain beyond a doubt that they should carry everything before them; and Santa Anna himself looked forward to the day when he would enjoy a reputation not inferior to that of Napoleon himself. Well may they have raised the shout when they found the Americans had abandoned their camp at Agua Nueva. Well may Santa Anna have said to his men (in orders) "the northern barbarians, the despoilers of your soil, the desecrators of your churches, are fleeing before you; onward! onward, and avenge your slaughtered countrymen." On they rolled like an avalanche, carrying everything before them-but what was their surprise, on arriving at the plain of Buena Vista, to behold that little "Spartan band" standing cool, firm and steady, with that old veteran, as firm as the Sierra Madre itself, at their head! What must have been his chagrin and mortification, when, after two days hard fighting, hand to hand, he found his army cut to pieces, and his enemy standing firmer than ever, ready to renew the conflict on the morrow! He, the great Napoleon of the West, who had just returned from exile, who had promised everything to Mexico and her people, found himself and his schemes thwarted at the outset. His fall was so great, and his defeat so signal, (all things considered,) that I can well account for his treating Major Bliss in the cavalier manner that he did, when on the morning of the 24th, that officer applied to him for an exchange of prisoners. His all was gone. Everything, so far as he was concerned, was lost, and that, too, by a handful of undisciplined volunteers. But it will never be forgotten that Zachary Taylor was their general. It is impossible to calculate the disaster that would have befallen us, if Gen. Taylor had not stood like a firm old oak and braved the storm as he did. Verily, everything American would have been sacrificed, and few would have been left to tell the disastrous tale." But even the bravery and firmness of General Taylor, would not have been sufficient to avert total defeat and ruin at Buena Vista, if he had not been supported by the activity, gallantry and military experience of General Wool. During one of the most critical periods of the battle previous to General Taylor's return from Saltillo, General Wool had the sole command, and throughout the remainder of the battle he was the second in command and the acting officer in directing the details of the several subordinate actions. General Taylor fully appreciated his services; and in the burst of feeling at their interview after the battle, he did him no more than simple justice. We shall notice the services of General Wool in this battle more particularly in the Appendix. The American soldiers were congratulated for their bravery in the following terms. ORDERS, (NO. II.) HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, 1. The Commanding General has the grateful task of congratulating the troops upon the brilliant success which attended their arms in the conflicts of the 22d and 23d. Confident in the immense superiority of numbers, and stimulated by the presence of a distinguished leader, the Mexican troops were yet repulsed in every effort to force our lines; and finally withdrew with immense loss from the field. 2. The General would express his obligations to the officers and men engaged, for the cordial support which they rendered throughout the action. It will be his highest pride to bring to the notice of the government, the conspicuous gallantry of particular officers and corps, whose unwavering steadiness more than once saved the fortunes of the day. He would also express his high satisfaction with the conduct of the small command left to hold Saltillo. Though not so seriously engaged as their comrades, their services were very important, and efficiently rendered. While bestowing this just tribute to the conduct of the troops, the General deeply regrets to say, that there were not a few exceptions. He trusts that those who fled ingloriously to Buena Vista, and even to Saltillo, will seek an opportunity to retrieve their reputation, and to emulate the bravery of their comrades, who bore the brunt of the battle, and sustained against fearful odds the honor of the flag. The exultation of success is checked by the heavy sacrifice of life which it has cost, embracing many officers of high rank and rare merit. While the sympathies of a grateful country will be given to the bereaved families and friends of those who nobly fell, their illustrious example will remain for the benefit and admiration of the army. By, order of Major General Taylor. W. W. S. BLISS, Assist. Adjt. Gen. We now take leave of the bloody field of Buena Vista. Long will it be remembered in the annals of nations. Future generations will dwell with mingled emotions on its scenes of glory and suffering. The imagination will dwell upon its impetuous charges, its terrible repulses, the shouts of victory and the groans of the wounded; the rejoicing of the conquerors, the terrified flight of the vanquished, and the mournful scenes of that field of carnage, where the priest administers consolation to the dying, while the callous camp follower plunders the dead. |