Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-22
Lcuer from Major MORRISON.

DEAR Sir After one Of the most desperate and
sanguinary battles. Of this or any other age find
myself sufficiently composed to undertake to give you
a sketch Of its details.
On or about tie Sd or 4th Of Feb, Gen. Taylor with
all his forces, amounting TO about 500 fighting men,
advanced from Saltllo, on the San Luis Potosi road
to small Hacienda. called Aqua Nneva, New Wa
ter,) where he encamped and remained until Sunday,
the 2lst February, on which day, al IL O'Clock, be
commenced a rerograde movement towards Saltillo,
and retreated Ia miles to Buena Vista. pronounced
Z" IYagno Eresta,'') He there encampcd pass be-
tween the mountains where the only road is between
an abrupt bill, extending to the mountains the
south, aud row Of ravines on the north, extending
across the valley TO the mountains on the same side
Here he threw up short stone embankment so as to
reduce the pass to mere wagon road way On Mon
day morning at about seven O'Clock, our pckets an
nounced the approach Of the Mexican army, CON-
manded by Santa Anna in person, and accompanied
by Gen. Ampuda, consisting of 70 600 or 81 600
men, well armed and equipped, and provided with
large train OF artillery, from TO "a Founders They
drew up and formed for battle at distance some two
or three miles FROM lines, and Gen. Santa Anna
sent forward flag of truce demanding a surrender
of our army, promising to treat Us with becoming
clemency, stating his numbers to amount to 20, GOO
men, and giving one hour for consideration and
swer Gen. Taylor promptly returned for answer
that he cared for the of his army, he, lay
Tor, had an army that vas able 10 swhIp- II; but II
Santa Anna saw fit surrender to him, he would be
treated in proper manner. These ceremonies being
over at 10 minutes before O'clock r. NJ, the Mex
lean batteries opened the conflict by discharge Of
bOmbs which was promptly returned by our light ar
tillery. After exchange Of six shots, the Mexi-
can columns began to advance, and after short time
gained an important position The mountain side,
on the south Of the pass The u. S. army post
ed in detached portions in surh manner as best to
subserve the intentions Of our Generals Four rifle
companies of the Indiana brigade. under the command
of Major German, ordered to intercept the pro-
gress OF the Mexieans who were attempting TO cross
the mountain ranges to pass our left flank. These
companies very actively assembled the mountain and
lay behind ridge. The MexIeans opened very
brisk and continued FIRE upon them, which lasted un-
tai dark The rifemen commanded by Capts. Walk
err Suss, Dunn, and Osborn, lay close, and two of
the companies only were enabled to shoot when the
enemy advanced the brow of the ridge which they
did do with very considerable effect, killing many of
the Mexicans. Our rihemen had only two or three
slightly wounded Thus ended the operations of the
FIRST day, and both armies lay upon their upon
the field. through cold and Indictment night At the
early dawn, the contest renewed on the mountain
side and when the light rendered it possible to make
accurate observation, it discovered that the Mex
lean force had been reinforced, that not less than
600 of them the hill side above forces,
where and when they poured fourth incessant VOL
ley of mrsketry upon lines below, and upon the
rifemen Who had again attempted to prevent their
Il
also erected battery near the base Of the same
mountain, and their cavalry and ancers were moving
in immense column, endeavorng to force pas
sage towards Salto, on our left flank. The second
Indiana regiment commanded by COL Bowles, and
led by Gen. Joseph Lane IN person. was formed as
to be in front Of the advancing column. The second
Illinois, Col Hardin, was next, and the Kentucky,
COL Mckee, came in to the support Of the others,
checking the column of the enemy. The Kentucky
cavalry, COL Humphrey Marshall, and the Arkansas
cavalry, Col. Yell, were in the mountain gorge at
tempting to aid the riiemen in opposing the hanking
column of the enemy. Here the whole line became
holly engaged, and a most deadly vigorous, and gal
liant conflict, of at least three hours, ragged between
the contendng hosts the artillery both sides play
ing during the whole time upon the contending
After the contest had fairly opened, the Misss-
sppi regiment of rIHemeD commanded by Col. Davis,
marched into the engagement, at most critical mo-
ment, and ardcntly engaged the Mexican column. So
very numerous were the forces of the Mexicans and
obstinately and effectively did they and
fight that it required all the bravery Skill and devo-
ton of our brave men 10 Withstand them. Our off,
GERS most calamity, heroicaly, and gloriOusly, led
their men to the charge and to the lannon's mouth.
and the fatgued and exposed volunteers gallant
y gave twenty full rounds of musketry being at the
same time under a most destructive and CALLING fire
of cannon and crap shot, which enfladed their ranks
from left TO right add which was also met by the
cross fire of the Mexican infantry. At the time that
the Mississippi regiment to the attack, the pres
sure upon the left wing Of the second regiment Of In.
diana volunteers great that part of the line
was compelled to give way, and some of them re-
treated IN disorder, but it was after they had stood
their ground equal to any veterans, for three hours
and after regiment upon regiment of fresh troops had
been brought TO bear and charge upon them. Many
of them devotedIy paid the forfeit of their lives
the price Of their bravery, and those who fell back
only did SO when further resistance seemed unavail-
| ing. part of the Arkansas squadron of horse, who
had dismounted, and fought valantly foot, were
also compelled to retreat from the line, but they had
nobly stood for long tlme posed every chance
of death, before they wavered in the least. Here
was most important iuncture in the affairs of the
day. and here the prowess of American arms, sus-
tanned by American hearts and nerves. was shown to
be superior all the force Of NUMBERS the discipline
OF regular veterans and the ferOci,y Of the savage
and nercenary hordes who vigorously pressed up
on our comparatively small army. The gallant Mis-
sissppians most molly led their way to the hottest Of
the fight; and at this period Joined by many OF
the second regiment of lndlanans who had been
forced separate from their comrades The third
regiment of Indiana volunteers commanded by Col.
j. II. Lane, now for the first time allowed to
participate in the action having been previously sta-
toned near the right wing, where 1t supposed
the enemy would make a desperate effort to force
passage should that point be, by any means, weak
ened. The third most galantly moved the support
Of the Mississippians, and participated in an open
field light for several hours doing fine execution, but
suffering quite severe loss. The whole army now
became generally engaged at various points. The
Kentucky cavalry most heroicay charging the Ian
GERS, cavalry and infantry Of the enemy suffered
yerely, but bravely maintaining the charges and
checking the enemy. The regular dragons -under
Col. May fought in every direction where their SER
vices were needed, and too much praise cannot be
given to the active and aborous exertions of the diff
i ferent companies of artillery who were necessarily