He foresaw all, planned all, and performed all, and his foresight remedied the mistakes which the mental inactivity of Taylor caused him to commit. First, the army was three weeks at Agua Nueva before Gen. Taylor ascertained that a battle could not be fought there safely, and became convinced of what Wool saw at a glance sixty days previously, viz., that Angostura was the point to fight. When concluded upon retreating in face of the enemy, he left Wool with the raw troops to meet the Mexicans, and took all the veterans with him to Saltillo. For what reason he went to Saltillo, has never been explained. He says himself, generally "to look after its defences." But Wool had put it in a state of defence thirty days previously; and Gen. Taylor in those visits made no change in those arrangements of Wool; but Minon was repulsed by Webster on the instructions issued by Wool to Major Warren. If there had been defences to look after, it was not the business of the Commander-in-chief to leave a battle field to look after them-he should have sent another. When he returned, he found the troops in line of battle. He pronounced "the position very strong." And all that he did, was to order McKee's Kentuckians two miles to the right, to a position where it was impossible for the enemy to attack. He did so, because he did not know what Wool knew, viz., that the nature of the ground rendered a force there useless. It was for the same reason that he remained so long at Agua Nueva, viz., that he had neglected to reconnoitre. Thus he marched 500 men ten miles for no other purpose than to weaken Wool's line of battle. The efficiency of the best troops was immensely weakened by their long, useless marches. He again returned on the 23d, only to save the Mexican column from the blows of Wool, by sending Crittenden with a flag—giving the enemy great advantage. At the final onset he was absent from the field, when the battle was saved only by the foresight of Wool. Twice the battle of Wool was marred by the inopportune orders of Taylor, involving great loss of American life.

As we have seen, on General Wool devolved the duty of creating the army which won that victory. Volunteers submit to military restraint with but a bad grace; and Wool, who imposed those restraints, was the object of dislike to the troops until they became soldiers; he was then the object of their admiration. No man, without the iron nerve of a Jackson or a Wool, would have borne up so long against this feeling.

They were at Buena Vista surrounded by an army of twenty-four thousand of the best disciplined, the most numerously officered, and the most veteran army ever raised in Mexico. Ten thousand of them, with Ampudia, had been under fire at Monterey, and there were officers and men who had fought against old Spain, and made civil war their pastime for twenty-five years. What would have been the fate of our brave and devoted little army, if discipline had been neglected? Probably in one hour they would have been thrown into confusion, and then, if the sanguinary design of the Suwarrow of Mexico had been carried out, seconded by his licensed assassins, the infuriated lancers-and his Cossacks, the rancheros-who were placed as additional outposts to cut off every straggler, and were all thirsting for blood and plunder,-not one man of our heroic band would have survived to tell the tale of horror.

It is not surprising, therefore, that we find not only a change of opinion as to the absolute necessity of discipline, but an outpouring of grateful admiration towards General Wool, for his steady determination in enforcing

it, and his admirable example in directing it to the best advantage on the
field of battle. He had known battle fields before. But the volunteers,
with the exception of one regiment, had never been under fire. He knew
that his sole dependence in the hour of trial would be from that self-con-
fiding bravery which discipline alone inspires. Accordingly he had, from
the moment his army was concentrated at San Antonio, in the latter part
of August, until (after accomplishing a march of 900 miles) he presented
them in front of Saltillo, on the alarm of General Worth in the latter part
of December, and thence up to the very day of battle, directed the whole
energies of a long military life to make his column not only the proudest
model of an army in all its appointments, equipments and supplies, but
the best in its discipline and military deportment. In this he did succeed,
but it cost him his popularity with many of the volunteers. The temper
Jackson encountered at New-Orleans before victory, 'was expressed prior to
the battle of Buena Vista. They had dreamed not of the hardships of drill
and subordination, of order and discipline, but of the romances of military
marches and encampments; and consequently, as the Saltillo Picket
Guard in its plain style says: "No General ever had so many curses for

so few offences." But now, how changed is the language of the volunteers:
"I take back,” says one of them in an Arkansas paper, "all I have said
against General Wool." "Little as his column liked him before the
battle," says another, "they all now admit that he is a splendid general."
'General Wool," says a third, (Telegraph & Review, Alton, April 9,
1,847,) "behaved most gallantly, and has earned all the country can do
for him, besides the respect, esteem and admiration of his brigade, who,
before the battle, had a long account of what they considered petty an-
noyances, treasured against him.”

We would offer the following extracts from the reports of General
Taylor and other officers, relative to General Wool at Buena Vista :-

Extract from the first Report of General Taylor, dated February 24, 1847.

'I may be permitted here, however, to acknowledge my great obligations to Brigadier General Wool, the second in command, to whom I feel particularly indebted for his services on this occasion."

Again, in General Taylor's detailed report of the battle, dated March 6, 1847, he says:

"To Brigadier General Wool my obligations are especially due. The high
state of discipline and instruction of several of the volunteer regiments was
attained under his command; and to his vigilance and arduous services before the
action, and his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our success is
justly to be attributed. During most of the engagement he was in immediate com-
mand of the troops thrown back on our left flank. I beg leave to recommend
him to the favorable notice of the Government."

The following is an extract from the account given of the battle, by
Major Coffee, one of General Taylor's staff:-

"General Wool led the main body in person, and was seen every where rally-
ing and encouraging the volunteers." "The details of the battle were confided
to General Wool, who nobly justified the confidence of his commander and
brother veteran by the most active, zealous, efficient, and gallant conduct.
Throughout the whole action he was constantly engaged in the disposition of our
forces, and in rallying them to the onset. It is a miracle that he escaped the
thick flying balls which thinned the ranks he was marshalling. There was but
one complaint made against him, and that was, that he exposed himself too
much."

The following is a copy of a letter from General Lane to General Wool, on leaving the country :

BUENA VISTA, MEXICO, May 20, 1847. "DEAR GENERAL,-In a few days we are to take up the line of march homewards, and from my understanding of the law I am soon to be discharged, and I greatly hope that the cause that gave rise to my appointment may soon cease to exist. A speedy and honorable peace with this country is much desired by every American citizen.

"But, my dear general, I cannot think of parting with you without expressing my high opinion of your great worth as a military man. During the whole time that I have been under your command, I have found you prompt, faithful, and vigilant in the discharge of your duty; looking alone to the good of the service, and the honor and glory of your country.

"A strict disciplinarian, you have discharged your duty with ability, and an impartiality worthy a great man. Your exertions, as second in command, at the great and glorious battle of Buena Vista, moving to and fro in every part of the field, watching the movements of the enemy, exposed to danger almost every moment of the day, ordering and disposing of our forces in the best manner, to meet and repulse the enemy-by your exertions, coolness, and courage in gaining this victory, you have won laurels and a fame that will endure as long as the traces of American history shall exist.

"Hoping that you may live long to enjoy the thanks of a grateful people, I remain, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

(Sd.)

JOSEPH LANE, Brig. Gen."

The Illinois Volunteers wrote to General Wool, as follows:

"BRAZOS SANTIAGO, June 23, 1847. BRIG. GEN. WOOL,-The officers and soldiers of the 1st regiment Illinois volunteers, on the eve of leaving Mexico for their homes, would do violence to their own feelings, did they not tender to their immediate commanding general a testimonial of their regard. Upon entering the service a year since, they were not prepared to appreciate the importance of discipline and drill, and consequently complained of them as onerous and unnecessary,-complaints were loud and

many.

"Their judgment convinced, these feelings have undergone a change, and they now thank you for your untiring exertions to make them useful to their country, and a credit to the state.

"Whatever, sir, of service, we may have done our common country, or whatever of honor we may have done the state of Illinois, to General J. E. Wool is due the credit. You, Sir, brought your column into the field well provided for and disciplined, and fought them well when you got them there; and should our country ever again need our services in the field, it would be our proudest wish to again meet the enemy under the command of one, in whose energy, watchfulness and courage, we, and the whole army, have the most unlimited confidence. "With the best wishes for your future fame and happiness, on the part of the regiment, we beg leave to subscribe ourselves your friends.

(Sd.)

W. WEATHERFORD,

Col. 1st Reg't Illinois Vol's. W. B. WARREN,

Lieut. Colonel.

and forty company and staff officers."

In relation to General Wool's conduct in the battle of Buena Vista, Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Roane, of the Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry, says, in his report

"On the morning of the 23d, the position of my command was designated by our gallant general himself, to whose cool and heroic courage, military judgment and commanding genius, I would add my humble testimony.'

Major A. F. Morrison, of the Illinois Volunteers, in a letter to his Excellency, Governor Whitcomb, relating to the battle of Buena Vista, says, that

"General Wool was next in command, and most diligently and valiantly attended to every department of the engagement. He is a brave and competent officer, and merits the gratitude of his countrymen for his services on this great occasion."

Captain Pike, a friend of General Taylor, in his sketch of the battle,

says,

"General Wool has gained great credit. He made all the dispositions for the battle. He was cool, calm, and composed, and exhibited the most quiet and unpretending bravery."

Carleton, in his work on the battle of Buena Vista, says,

"Wherever the fury of the battle was greatest, there was General Wool, riding from point to point, encouraging and stimulating the men to still greater exertions."

General Wool, in his report of the battle, says,

"I cannot close my report without expressing, officially and formally, as I have heretofore done personally, to the Major General commanding, the feelings of gratitude I have for the confidence and extreme consideration which have marked all his acts towards me, which has given me additional motives for exertion, and increased zeal in the execution of the responsible duties with which I have been charged."

In a letter to the Hon. John A. Dix, General Wool speaks of General Taylor, as follows:

"Of all the men I have ever seen in battle, he appeared the most calm. His cool and determined bravery, sound mind and judgment, which never forsakes him, even in the most critical moments, will ever command my admiration. His brilliant achievements from Palo Alto to the termination, at Buena Vista, will be appreciated by a magnanimous and generous people."

Letters of the same import, and some perhaps stronger, were written to the Hon. Francis Baylies, Daniel Webster, John Bell, William C. Rives, Lewis Cass, Joshua A. Spencer, General O. Clark, of New-York, and many others; and in no letter, public or private, touching General Taylor's conduct, has General Wool ever said less.

Colonel Jefferson Davis acknowledges the receipt of a similar letter, to General Gibson, in the following terms :

"SALTILLO, 25th March, 1847. "MY DEAR GENERAL,-I have just read with great pleasure the copy of your letter to General Gibson, which you did me the honor to send me this morning.

"It shall be preserved for the use permitted, and be assured, under circumstances requiring, that it will give me great pleasure thus to apply it.

In these times of petty jealousy and ignoble strife for public approbation, it is quite refreshing to see one so prominent in the scenes you describe, forgetting himself to sustain and commend his commander.

“With assurances of my regard,

I am, cordially, yours,
(Sd.)

JEFF. DAVIS."

In looking back at the results of Wool's march, the moral influence of it was immense as Taylor advanced on his line of operations, the people

deserted their homes, flocked to the mountains, and became guerillas, with which the country swarmed, becoming daily more formidable. The advance of Wool, holding his men in admirable discipline, calmed the fears of the people. They soon found that the Americans committed no outrage, paid for what they had, protected them from the Indians, and introduced strict justice into the courts. General Wool ascertained also, that the guerillas remained under arms through fear. He promptly proclaimed amnesty to those who were peaceable. The consequence was, an immediate return of the people to their houses, and the guerilla chiefs found themselves without supporters. This was "conquering a peace."

He pacificated the country on Taylor's flank, and gave an example which stamps with infamy and incapacity the operations of Wellington in the Peninsula; whose ability manifested itself in brutal conduct and abusive speech. Having relieved Taylor from fears of the rising of the people on his flank and rear, Wool appeared in front with an efficient column, without the aid of which, Taylor must have retreated, when Scott drew from him the regular troops. The volunteers, who had made the loudest complaints against Wool for what they thought harsh discipline, expressed to him personally their deep regrets for their conduct, and offered to follow him the world over.

It may be remarked, that notwithstanding the many attacks which have been made upon Gen. Wool gratuitously by the friends of Gen. Taylor, that Gen. Wool, with great magnanimity, has never replied, directly or indirectly, or in any degree detracted from the merits of the Commander-inChief.

The unscrupulous zeal of many of Gen. Taylor's friends, have induced them from time to time to attack Gen. Wool, seemingly from fear that the merits of that officer should interfere with their claims on behalf of Gen. Taylor. It has been matter of surprise in some quarters, that no reply has ever been made to those slanders. But Gen. Wool seems uniformly to have resisted the desire of his friends to see justice done him in that respect. Content with having well served his country, he would not condescend to defend his own claims from mercenary detractors. He was too magnanimous to ever interfere with the civil triumphs of a brother officer. Gen. Wool having been promoted to the rank of Brevet Major-General for distinguished and gallant conduct at Buena Vista, continued in command at Saltillo until November 25, 1847, when Gen. Taylor left for the United States, and the whole command devolved upon Wool, and so continued until June 5, 1848, when the Commissioners, Sevier and Clifford, communicated to Gen. Wool official notice of the termination of the war. The army was then put in motion. The general leaving Monterey June 20, reviewed the troops at Matamoras, July 4.

Gen. Wool arrived at Brazos St. Jago, in Texas, in July; and on the 20th, visited Point Isabel, where he was received with the usual military honors. On the 26th of July, he embarked in a steamboat for New-Orleans, where he arrived on the first of August, and was visited by the gov. ernor and suite, and other distinguished citizens. On the 2d, he left for Cincinnati, where he arived on the 12th, and on the 17th reached Washington.

General Wool arrived in the city of New-York on the 18th of August, where he was received by the Citizens' Corps, commanded by Colonel Pierce, and a committee of one hundred citizens from Troy. On the