History of the United States from the earliest discovery of America to the end of 1902 . ed one of themost sanguinary but brilliant battles of thewar, that of Buena Vista. Taylor, learningthat a Mexican force was advancing underSanta Anna, at least double, the 5,200 lefthim after the requisition upon him whichGeneral Scott had just made, drew back tothe strong position of Buena Vista, southof Saltillo. Here Santa Anna, havingthrough an intercepted despatch learned ofTaylors weakness, ferociously fell uponhim with a force 12,000 strong. On rightand centre, by dint of good tactics andbull-dog fi
History of the United States from the earliest discovery of America to the end of 1902 . ed one of themost sanguinary but brilliant battles of thewar, that of Buena Vista. Taylor, learningthat a Mexican force was advancing underSanta Anna, at least double, the 5,200 lefthim after the requisition upon him whichGeneral Scott had just made, drew back tothe strong position of Buena Vista, southof Saltillo. Here Santa Anna, havingthrough an intercepted despatch learned ofTaylors weakness, ferociously fell uponhim with a force 12,000 strong. On rightand centre, by dint of good tactics andbull-dog fighting, Taylor held his own andmore, but the foe succeeded at first inpartly turning and pushing back his Mexican commander bade Taylor sur-render, but was refused, whence the sayingthat Old Rough and Ready, as theycalled Taylor, was whipped but didntknow it. To check the flanking movement he sent 1847] THE MEXICAN WAR 189 forward two regiments of infantry, wellsupported by dragoons and artillery, whocharged the advancing mass, broke theMexicans column, and sent them fleeing. General Winfield Scott. in confusion. This saved the day. TheAmerican loss was 746, including severalofficers, among them Lieutenant-ColonelClay, son of the Kentucky statesman. Col-onel Jefferson Davis, one day to be Presi-dent of the Southern Confederacy, caused 190 SLAVERY CONTROVERSY [1847 during this conflict great havoc in the ene-mys ranks with his Mississippi Annas loss was 2,000. General Winfield Scott had meantimebeen ordered to Mexico as chief in com-mand. Taylor was a Whig, and the Whigswhispered that his martial deeds were mak-ing the democratic cabinet dread him as apresidential candidate. But Scott was aWhig, too, and if there was anything inthe surmise, his victorious march must havegiven Polks political household additionalfood for reflection. Scotts plan was toreduce Vera Cruz, and thence march tothe Mexican capital, two hundred milesaway, by the quickest route. Ver
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