Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-24
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.
GENERAL TAYLoRs DETAILED REPORT
HrAbauARrERs Amy OF occvrArIoS,


the engagement OF Buena Snta tine repuse of the Mexican
army, and the reoccuIalon Of this position.
The information which reached of the advance and con-
cenaon of heavy Mexican force in my front had assumed
sach probable form In induce special examination far
beyond the reach OF pckets ascertain
small party OF Texan SPIES under Major McCuoch Dispatch
ell to the Hacienda of Encanacion, thirty miles from this
the San Luis Poosi had reported cavalry force
unknown strength at that place On the Goth OF February
strong reconnaissance under Lieut. Col May dspac
10 the Hacienda of Heconda, while Major McCulloch made
another examination OF Encarnacon The results Of these
expeditions left doubt that the enemy in large force
Encarnacon under the orders OF General Anna aud
that he meditaled forward movement and attack upon
position. ..-",
As the camp of Aqua Nueva could be turned on either
flank, and the enemy force greatly superior
own, particularly in the OF cavalry, determined after
much considerations to take position about eleven miles
rear aud there await the attack. The army broke up its
camp and marched the 2ls encampng the new
position little in front of the Hacienda Of Buena Vista With
small force proceeded Sallo make some necessary
arrangements for the defence of the town. leaving Brig Gen
Wool in the immediate command of the troops.
Before those arrangements completed the morning
of the ed advised that the enemy sight, ad
vancins. Upon reaching the ground il found that his
cavalry advance front, having marched from En-
carnacon we have since learned at O'Clock the day
previous and driving mounted force left Aqua Nueva
the removal of public Our troops were In
position, occupying line of remarkable strength The road
this point becomes dele, the valley Oh its right
being rendered quite impraccabc for artillery by system Of
deep and impossible guies while the left succession of
rugged ridges and PERCEPTIONS extends back towards
the which bounds the valley The features of the
ground such nearly to parayze the artillery and
vay of the enemy while his infantry could derive all the
advantage of its numerical superiority In this position we
prepared to receive him Capt Washingtons battery Gath
artillery posted to command the road while the LIST and
I'd Illinois regiments under Colonies Hardin and Bsse each
eight companies, Ito the latter Of which attached Capt
Corners company of Texas volunteers and the I'd Ken
uky under Col McKee, occupied the the ridges on
the lett and IN rear The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments
of cavalry, commanded by Coils Yell and H. Marshall occu-
pied the extreme left the base of the mountain while
Indiana Brigade under Brgader General Lane Composed
the ID and 81 regiments under Coils Bowles and Lane the
Mississippi renen under Col Davis the squadons of the
st ard I'd Dragons under Capt Seen ami Lieut. COL May
and the light batteries Of Caps Sherman and Bragg Sd
ullery, held in At o'clock received from
General Santa Anna 10 surrender discretion
which, with copy OF my reply, have already Transmitted
The ene still foebore his attack, evidently waiting for
the arrival of his columns which could be distinctly seen
by our look outs they approached the field demonstra-
made his left caused detach the I'd Kentucky
regiment and section of artillery right in which posi-.
ton they bvouacked for the night In the mean time the
Mexican light troops had engaged the extreme left
Composed of parts the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry dis
mounted, and rifle battalion from the Indiana brigade under
Major German, the whole commanded by Col Marshal0 and
kept up sharp fire. climbing the mountain side and appa
reny endeavorng to gain flank Three pieces of Capt
Washngtons battery had been detached the left and were
supported by the I'd lndaga regiment An occasional shell
thrown by the enemy part our line but with
out effect The kirmshing of the light troops kept up
with tring loss part till dark, when became con
WINGED that serious attack would be made before the
ing and returned with the Mississippi regiment squadron
of ID Dragons Salo. The troops bivouacked wthou,
fires, and laid upon their body of cavalry some
1880 strong, had been visible all day in Of the town.
having entered the valley through pass of the
CITY, This cavalry, commanded by Gen Mnon had evident
y been thrown break harass our retreat
and perhaps make attempt against the practca
ble The city occupied by four excellent companies of
Illinois volunteers under Major Warren of the lst regiment
field. which commanded of
gansoned by Capt Webser's company, LIST artillery and
armed with two 24pound howtzers, while the train and
headquarte camp guarded by two companies Mississippi
emen under Capt Rogers and field piece commanded BY
Capt Shower Sd artillery. Having made these dispositions
for the protection of the rear proceeded the morning
the 23d Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other avail
able troops The action had commenced before arrival
the field.
During the evening and night Of the 22d the enemy had
thrown body Of light troops the mountain side with the
purpose Of oufankng left ami here that The
ton of the I'D commenced early hour Our rhemen
under Colonel Marshall who had been reinforced by three
companies under Major Trail I'd Illinois Volunteers main
tanned their ground handsomely against greatly superior
force holding themselves under and using their weapons
with deadly effect About O'clock strong demonstration
made against the Of position, heavy column
moving along the road This force dispersed by
rapid we'll shots Captain Washngons
battery. In the time the enemy concentrating
large force of infantry and cavalry under Of the ridges
with the obvious intention of forcing left which post
ed extensive plateau The ID Indiana and the % Ill
regiments formed this Of line the former
ing three pieces OF light artillery, under the orders Of Captain
O'Brien-Bngader General Lane being in the immediate
command In order to bring his within effective range
General Lane ordered the artillery and I'd Indiana regiment
forward. The artillery advanced within musket range Of
heavy body Of Mexican infantry and served against it
with great effect bat without bsng able 10 check its advance.
The infantry ordered TO its support had fallen back dsor
der being exposed well the battery only
fire OF small from the front, but alsD a murderous
fire of grape and canister from Mexican battery on the
left. Captain Brien found impossible 10 retain his posi-
ton without support, but only able withdraw Of his
pieces all the horses aud cannoners Of the third piece being
killed disabled The I'd Indiana regiment which had f
the action except handful Of men, who, under Galan,
Col BowIes, joined the Mississippi regiment and did good SER
vice. and those ugves wbo later period day. assisted
in defendng the and depot Buena Vista This portion
OF line having given way, and the enemy appearing in
overwhelming force against left fank the light troops
which had rendered such good service the mountains
compelled to Withdraw which they did, for the part
good order. Many however, not rallied until they
reached the depot at Buena Vista, the defence OF which
they afterwards contributed.
Colonel Bissers regiment, cd Illinois, which had been
joined by section Of Captain Shemans battery, had be-
completely outanked, and compelled TO fall back
being entirely unsupported The enemy now pouring
Of infantry and cavalry along the base Of the noun.
tain cur LETT aud gaining great force AT
this moment arrived upon the field. The Mississippi reui.
men bad been directed TO the lift before reaching the posi-.
ton and Immediately into action against the Mexican
infantry which had turned flank The I'd Kentucky re.
gmcn and section Of artillery under Captain Bragg had
previously been ordered from the right TO reinforce our left
and arrived at a most 0pportune moment That regiment,