the rencounter between the two armies have been modestly told, in the dispatches of the incomparable and unconquerable General of the American forces. These dispatches in all their particulars, intense interest, astonishing developments of generalship, and success of the American Army, composed almost entirely of volunteers at this battle of Buena Vista, which will be regarded as the Battle of the war, have met the admiration and awakened the gratitude of every citizen of the Union.

And here it were just to pause, and indulge in enthusiastic commendation of the General, who, with the brave men composing his small army, withstood the overwhelming numbers of the Mexican forces, and drove back the enemy over that space of fearful vacuity of all subsistence for a famishing army, which, in its retreat, left on the waste hundreds of its perishing and famished hordes. And what a triumph was this, to the American arms! How fearful were the odds in the contending hosts against the American standard! And how gloriously self-possessed, calm, and commanding stood the American General on the field, so solemn in its results of triumph or defeat to both armies! The genius of Taylor and that fearful and sublime discharge from Bragg's artillery decided the fate of the day, and gave victory to the American Who does not feel the thrill of emotion, as he watches the varying fortunes of the field-the advance and the repulse-the charge and the retreat-the ever heavy pressure on the left wing of the American army, and the gallant manner of its support-the overwhelming masses of the Mexican soldiery pressing down the thin ranks of the American forces, and hopelessly for the final triumph of the American arms but for the flying artillery, ever present where it was most needed, and just at a moment when all seemed to be despair and all had been defeat but for its support, and when, but a moment before, it could not have left its position for the needed

arms.

spot? But it threw havoc among the crowded ranks of the enemy and opened avenues in their dense phalanxes, and finally scattered them in discomfiture, defeat, and death! And who wakes not to the enthusiasm of the moment, when he sees the whole line of the American army, in its unequal numbers, lie down on their arms at night, in its sustained positions, and rise up in the morning, ready to meet the foe and expectant of their advancing thousands? But, in the distance, he sees the retreating hosts, hastening in their necessities and defeat to recross that fearful waste, over which they had come, with floating banners and martial music, elated by the hopes of certain victory over their northern invaders and of abundant supplies from a captured encampment. Though around thee, there was a sad spectacle in the thousand dead and dying, thou incomparable leader of the American arms, yet it was a proud moment to thee and thy command, when the reality of a defeated and retreating foe met thy vision' The laurel will ever be green which emblems forth thy min tary fame; and for this last of thy fourfold victories, thy fellow citizens will award to thee the civic wreath as a testimonial of their admiration, national gratitude, and esteem.

Leaving the Army, in its glory and rest, to repose for a while, after its successive achievements, to the high honor of the American arms, it is time that I return to the BROAD PENNANT of the Home Squadron. We left the Commanderin-chief, just in possession of Tampico-Commodore Perry, in the steamer Mississippi having been dispatched to the Brazos for troops to hold possession of the town, which on the arrival of the troops was committed to their care.

SECTION XIII.

THE CUMBERLAND

HOMEWARD-BOUND.-NEW-YORK MAY-DAY

OCCURRING ON THE FIRST OF DECEMBER.

THE British mail steamer brought us, at Anton Lizardo, the first intelligence of the surrender of Tampico to the American squadron. And there was another particular of information brought by this mailer from Tampico, which delighted some, and agitated others with the alternations of hopes and fears as to the probability of their soon seeing their homes, so dearly thought of by wanderers at the moment when they feel that they are about to re-seek them after a long absence. The intelligence was, that Commodore Conner, by direction of the Department, had ordered a transfer of officers and men from the Cumberland to the Raritan, and the officers and men of the Raritan to the Cumberland. The Raritan's officers and crew were to take the Cumberland directly home, while the Cumberland's officers and crew were still to remain on this station. For some time it has been believed that the Cumberland would, ere long, go home, that she might go into dry dock for examination and repairsfears being apprehended that the copper from the ship's bottom had been chafed off while thumping on the coral reef, and perhaps, otherwise materially injured. If the copper had been much destroyed, it was believed that the sea-worms of these waters had penetrated her planks. On the day the steamers, scnooners, and frigates were about to leave on the

Tampico expedition, the anchor of the Cumberland was hove up, from which some inference, it was believed, might be made as to the effect of the worms on the ship, by examining the stock of the anchor. As the word was passed, “ All hands to up anchors," it seemed, for a moment, that the Cumberland was really herself about to make a move homeward by the way of Tampico. The chain-cable soon came in, as the capstan moved round to the music of the band and the tramp of the sailors' feet; and ere long, the anchor was up, fished, and catted. The carpenter was sent to examine it. He chipped into the stock, and behold, these mischievous borers had made their million of homes in the anchor-stock, showing, conclusively, that if the copper was off the bottom of the ship, they had also made their lodgment in her planks-all which admonished the Commodore that the frigate ought to be on her northern course, without longer lingering in these seas. But the expedition to Tampico was just ready to move, and it would soon be over, if successful, and sooner yet, perhaps, if unsuccessful. Therefore the conclusion was, that the Cumberland should retain her anchorage, and all preparation be made to get her in readiness to start on her homeward course immediately after Commodore Conner's return from Tampico. Her officers therefore were anticipating the pleasure of being conveyed back in the good ship which had brought them safe. ly out; and though there may have been a lingering apprehension on the part of some, that they might be detained on the station, yet but few apprehended such a disposition of matters, that the Cumberland's officers and men should yield their ship to the officers and crew of the Raritan, in such a wholesale way as report now declared to be the order of the Commander-in-chief. Commodore Conner still lingered at Tampico. But, ere long, a sail was descried in the offing, and continued to loom larger and larger, until the fine proportions of a beautiful frigate were lined on the horizon, at

sea; and not long after, the flag showing the number of the Raritan, was made out by the quarter-masters, flying at the truck of the noble man-of-war. Ere long, she took her an

chorage, where she had often before assumed her place, near the frigate Cumberland.

Captain Gregory came with orders, repeating the particulars of Commodore Conner's letter to Captain Forrest, by the mailer. Captain G. was to take the Cumberland home -Captain F. was to assume the command of the Raritanthe officers and crews of the two frigates to be transferredthe Raritan to remain out-the Cumberland to make her way immediately to Norfolk.

It was now believed that the orders were specific, and that none of the Cumberland's officers would be able to remain by the ship. For one, at least, I was slow to admit such a conclusion. I had been too long and too fondly dreaming of the happy return, the desired relief from this station, and confidently placed the time of such an escape as early as January of 1847, to believe that I was to be defeated in my cherished expectation.

"But how, sir, can you get off, when the order for the transfer is imperative; and there is no one here to revoke the order, or to make an exception ?"

"Laws were not made for Achilles," was the reply; "and you have read Virgil, Dr. B."

"And yet I am almost wicked enough to rejoice in your dilemma, Mr. T.," responded the good-natured and worthy assistant surgeon, "as you have been speaking so confidently of returning in the ship, as if there were no possibility of your detention. You are of the Flag, and I see not but you will have to follow the Pennant."

“And I wish that I could have had the pointing of one of the Tampico guns," said somebody, who really is almost too