1856.] Colonel BisseWs Retreat at Buena Vista. 123 



COLONEL BISSELL'S RETREAT AT BUENA VISTA. 



When speaking of " action in the tented field," and discoursing of 

 what "pertains to feats of broil and battle," it is the custom of histo- 

 rians, as the world well knows, to give all prominence to the high-ranked 

 chieftain, and accord to him all the success of strategy, and all the 

 achievements of valor. But how vain would be the bravery of him who 

 bears the haton, were there no heroes bearing bayonets ! To show the 

 force of this, and to give due honor to the brave, we record the following 

 scrap of history, detailed, originally, by one who witnessed Col. Bissell's 

 heroic charge, and not less heroic retreat. 



He says, " When the aid on duty ( Col. Churchill ), gave Col. Bissell 

 the order to retreat, the Indiana regiment was in rapid flight, in rear of 

 Bissell's, scattered over half a mile of ground, each man evidently think- 

 ing the battle lost, and trying to save himself; and, as soon as Bissell's 

 should be faced about to fall back, those flying men would be in full 

 view, and of course the panic they were under must naturally influ- 

 ence somewhat those who stood. ^Six thousand Mexican infantry were 

 pouring down upon the devoted regiment, in steady advance by column, 

 in front and flank, assailing them, within point-blank distance, with 

 a steady hail-storm of iron and lead ; four thousand cavalry were loom- 

 ing up behind these columns of infantry, waiting for a favorable moment, 

 at the least sign of wavering on our part, to charge, and complete 

 the work of destruction ; three pieces of artillery were thundering on 

 them their death-messengers of grape and canister, tearing through their 

 ranks like a hail-storm of vengeance ; and they seemed to stand alone, 

 exposed to all this concentrated attack, determined on their own anni- 

 hilation. 



"To the aid Col. Bissell replied: 'I am not ready to retreat yet,' 

 while his regiment continued returning the fire of the Mexicans. In a few 

 moments the Colonel ordered, ' cease firing ! ' ' shoulder arms ! ' ' dress ! ' 

 The fire was abated ; and then, for at least two minutes, did that noble 

 body of men s^and under a steady galling and raking fire of Mexican 

 artillery and musketry, with an overwhelming force of infantry and 

 cavalry advancing upon them, unblenching, and unwavering, without 

 firing a gun. 



" Not a man moved, while their Colonel's eye ran along the line to 

 see if any one quailed ! * About face ! ' ' dress ! ' ' forward, march ! ' 



