fought. Buena Vista was one of the decisive battles of the world, as events turned out, for in many respects it was THE battle of the Mexican war which gave us auriferous California, and determined the whole future of this continent. The reader may ask what has this to do with KEARNY? This much he narrowly escaped at this time the fate which befell the unfortunate RICHEY; and had a similar and impending cast of the lasso encircled his throat with the same successful aim, there would have been an end of this biography and of one destined to fill a prominent place in the gallery of American Generals, Patriots, and Heroes. On his arrival at Vera Cruz, the splendid condition of KEARNY'S company he was promoted to a Captaincy in December, 1846coupled with the fact that its commander had formerly been his aid-de-camp, induced the general-in-chief to constitute it his body-guard. This connection with headquarters prevented KEARNY from participating in any of the cavalry engagements which occurred between our Dragoons and the Mexican horse, which attempted to harass our army and hinder the progress of the siege. When the city surrendered, KEARNY escorted his victorious chief on his triumphal entry, and he used to dwell with exultation on the superb appearance of his men and horses in that ovation, due to the scientific generalship of Scorr. He said that his men felt as much pride in the matter as himself, and were up the greater part of the previous night furbishing their arms and accoutrements and cleaning their horses, so that the latter "shone like glass bottles" when paraded the next morning. KEARNY was always exceedingly partial to iron greys, and no horses in the world look better than those of this color when in high condition and properly groomed. On the advance from Vera Cruz, KEARNY was always with General SCOTT, and saw little or no fighting. That he profited by the lessons in strategy taught by that superlative commander, at the expense of the enemy, the future proved. NAPOLEON held TURENNE in the highest esteem as a finished general, and this campaign was carried on in the highest style of TURENNE. After the battle of Cerro Gordo he was detached in pursuit, and it was reported at the time that he came near capturing SANTA Anna. The writer recollects perfectly KEARNY'S account of one chase and its incidents; but it may have occurred on one or another |