Audio
Sheet music for "The Battle of Buena Vista" by Charles Grobe. The lithograph print cover cartouche includes a decorative display of American flags, eagles, two correctly uniformed U. S. Army musicians (a drummer and a fifer), muskets, bayonets, drum, bugles, cannons, mortar, cannon balls, swords, cockade, shako, and wagon wheel -- all intertwined with acanthus leaves and other vegetation. The programmatic "Descriptive Fantasy" by Charles Grobe contains musical allusions to incidents in the actual battle of Buena Vista and the lyrics reference General Taylor's role at Buena Vista. It first describes him breaking camp at Agua Nueva and taking a strong position at Buena Vista as Mexican troops approach. As Santa Anna demands a surrender under a flag of truce, the American troops refuse, stating"General Zachary Taylor never surrenders." Next the lyrics reference battlefield manoeuvers and artillery officers Sherman and Bragg, and how their cannon and the return fire of the Mexican troops produce devastating casualties, ultimately leading to an American victory. The lyrics end after recalling those soldiers that died during the battle. [Catalog Notes: "Webb"--Colophon. "Op. 101." Plate no. 2067.]
