Chapter XIV: Letter 13: The battle of Buena Vista, and its results

APRIL, 1847.

SIR: We have at length authentic accounts of the great battle
fought at Buena Vista; it is certainly one of the most
extraordinary on record, and its consequences are even more
important than the event itself. These are of such magnitude,
that Santa Anna never would have made his daring movement if he
had not been certain of success. Who could have supposed that
twenty thousand men, under a high state of discipline, and
perfectly provided with every thing necessary to constitute an
army, cavalry, artillery, and infantry, should be totally
defeated by two thousand five hundred regulars, and an equal
number of volunteers? Such an idea certainly never entered the
mind of any Mexican, at least. It appears that his army is
entirely disorganized, and it is doubtful, whether he will ever
be able to reach San Louis with the fourth of those who marched
from that place. But the moral influence throughout Mexico must
be incalculable—the Mexicans may now say as the subjects of
Montezuma said of the Spaniards: “the gods of the strangers are
stronger than our gods.”

The reliance of the Mexicans for the defence of the Capital is
destroyed and gone. Had Santa Anna been successful against
Taylor, no other defence of the Capital would have been
necessary; the descent on Vera Cruz would have been at once
abandoned, and our troops recalled for the purpose of covering
our own frontier. Instead of being broken and dispirited, the
Mexicans every where, would have risen up in arms, and, perhaps,
would for the first time, have exhibited a national spirit—the
contrary of this effect has been produced. It will require a
prodigious effort, and much time, to organize another army; and
the greater part will be new conscripts, if they can be
dignified even with that name, where there is no voluntary
enlistment, or fair and regular draft, but where the poor
peasant is seized by force, and driven, tied with ropes, to the
places of rendezvous, like a brute beast, to be beaten, and
broken into the trade of war. And now from Tampico to Saltillo,
from the Sierra Madre to the Sabine, the war is over—_all that
is necessary is to consolidate the conquest of the beautiful
country west of the Rio Grande_.

I can readily conceive the effect of this uninterrupted series
of successful military events, and extraordinary battles, both
on the Mexican and the European mind. The slumbering military
might existing in our republic, ready to be called forth by
events, must strike Europeans with amazement; and its secret
lies in the freedom of our institutions, the same which gave to
Greece and Rome their pre-eminence. One trait has been
exhibited, in even a higher degree, than in Greece—the emulation
or rivalry of States; and even of a higher kind than that which
was displayed at Platea and Marathon; Kentucky has vied with
South Carolina, and Massachusetts with Mississippi—MAY THE
CHERISHED REMEMBRANCE, LONG SERVE TO BIND THEM TOGETHER IN
FRATERNAL AFFECTION! The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca, were
decisive as to the superiority of our arms, especially of our
artillery, and of the inferiority of the enemy in cavalry, whose
efficiency was so much overrated. At Monterey, with every
advantage of numbers, walls, and fortresses, they were literally
crushed; and then, to crown all, at Buena Vista, in spite of the
immense disparity, and the enemy attacking, their army was
annihilated in the open field. Can it be possible that Mexico
will not now sue for peace, and accept any terms we may choose
to dictate? I have no doubt we shall soon hear of General Scott
making good his landing at Vera Cruz, and taking the Castle of
San Juan. We shall then hear of Mexican plenipotentiaries
advancing towards him with the olive branch, before he takes up
his line of march for the capital of the Astecs. Surely they
will not invite him, “to revel in the halls of the Montezumas.”

It must be admitted, that Santa Anna, however detestable his
character, has displayed great military talent. He led his
troops to battle under circumstances, he was well aware, would
cause them to fight with desperation. They were not only filled
with confidence from their immense superiority of numbers, but
rendered desperate by hunger and the hope of booty, which he had
promised them, and which supplied the want of higher motives of
action, such as inspired the superior race with which they had
to contend. In the words of Byron:

“Th’Assyrian came down like a wolf on the plain,”

but the shepherd was prepared to receive him, and drive him back
howling to the desert. The sudden retreat of General Taylor from
his advanced position to his chosen battle ground, no doubt
unexpected, must have had the effect of disconcerting the enemy.
By thus meeting him at the edge of the desert, he availed
himself, like a skilful commander, of all the advantages of
circumstances. What events the war may bring forth, if it should
continue, it is impossible to foretell, but it is certain, that
the series of victories which have been thus far achieved by
him, have not been surpassed in our military history, while that
of Buena Vista, stands unequalled.

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