Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-06
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
+ From the .Ncw Orleans Atlas, March 90
Rattle OF RucMa Vista.

hattie Oh ktuenG vEStS.
Further details furnished bv Major Coffee 800
.imsrieans IN The Battle, aud 10000 MtT,-
cars-THe Killed and WoinEsd-Gensras
Taylor, Woct, Churchill, ETC., etc.
Last evening we had an interview with Ma
lor Coffee, OF The paymaster's department, Just
arrived in New OrleanstIom Monterey, and VINO
was present al the engagement oil General, lav-
lor with Santa Anna on the 22d and 23d OF FEB
ruary-and by this gentleman we are very po-
liiely favored with additional particulars OF great
interest
There is little doubt, from The statement oil
Santa Anna himselftransmilled 10 General lay
lor when he asked the surrender OF The latter, and
from The reports OF the Mexicans themselves, that
The force OF the enemy exceeded twenty thoh-
sand, and that large proportion were elfc'eh'
and we'll appointed troops. ;.
The force of General Taylor amounted 10
forty-seven hundred men-nol more IMAM thiiiy-
FIVE hundred OF whom were actually engaged In
battle.
II is Difficult, 10 estimate the precise loss Of The
Mexicans in killed and wounded-nor is II pro-
bahle ,ha, it will be ascertained with entire accu-
racy hy The enemy himself as great numbers de-
serted or abandoned The ranks 10 seek for subsst-
ence in the adjoining country. The loss, now
ever, was very greal--amounting certainly 10
three thousand.
The American loss in killed and wounded was
about seven hundred, and OF This number aoou'
tour hundred and fitly were killed.
Much of The arrangements OF the oa'tie, anu
of lis conduct were conhded oy zen. iay'u' w
Gen. Wool and eallanIly did the latter pear
himself. His skill, bravery and noble daring
throughout The day, on the 23d Feb, attracted Inc
attention and admiration OF the whole army, ana
all Joined in praise of his judgment and valor.-
The veteran Col Churchill, who was upon The
field shared actively in the dangers and trials oil
the conflict, having during the day several horses
shot under him. Gen. Taylor was, as all &C
counts have represented him 10 have been al Re-
SAGA de la Palma and al Monterey, perfectly coo
and self-posse5sed, keeping his eye seaoiiy at
rected TO every portion OF the ballle nein. l ns
scene between these veterans, Taylor, wool ana
Churchill, on The morning OF the 24th, was, we
are told, peculiarly impressive and affectinS-ex-
changing congratulations upon The triumph OF inc
American arms against such fearful odds, and
al The same time deeply affected al The loss OF tae
many alIant spirits who had fallen in The conflict.
The frs, attack made BY our troops on the
morning Of the 23d, led by Gen. Lane, was met
by the enemy with great hrmness and bravery:
and with such fearful ODDS in their favor that VIC
tory Tor the moment seemed doubtiul-but The
skilful management and the destructive effect Of
our artillery, supported by bodies Of fresh troops
soon changed The fortunes OF the day. The lodi
ana volunteers who bore the brunt OF the tlrst al
lack, aud who received a terrible repulse which
compelled them TO tall back were subsequenllyral.
lied after little breathing time, and were engaged
in the latter part OF the day in the hottest CT The
conflict, and fought, as our informant expresses
it, with the desperation of devils.
Ofthe Mississippi regiment, composed OF about
four hundred men, ninety were either kiiieo or
wounded-one- fourth Col. Jefferson Davis was
shot IN the foot by musket-ball, which passed
through it. His wound, although bad one, IS
not considered dangerous; the only fear being
that modification might ensue.
From the Ne,c Orleans D ia.l
MONTEREY, Mexico, March3, l847.
Dear Sir-l have no doub, OF the dissolution
OF Santa Annals army, morally and physically !;
and there will be no more fighting in this region,
If there be anywhere
Just,welve hours after had sent you my Sc
cond express with Mexican, giving him my
best horse aud $50 10 go TO Camargo, we receiv-
ed from abore intelligence from General Taylors
army.
General Santa Anna is really 10 be pi,ied-his
men are a wrelched set. He had twice during
the batle 10 iuierpose his lancers 10 prevent de-
sertion, and they shot down some 50 al each time,
before he could prevent The flight OF his infantry
This information comes from prisoners, VINO de-
SGTteQ
Taylor's camp. They report hist Santa Anna
is destitute OF all kinds oil provisions, aud that h'
cannot keep them together.
Santa Anna anticipated an easy victory. Ills
army was told that the Americans had an aoun-
dance OF provisions and lots OF money, and that
:hey must enter Sallillo on the day OF the battle,
and take their supper at our expense. This IS
from reports Of prisoners taken-ofhcers as well
as priVa,es.
Santa Anna led send message 10 Gen. Tay-
Tor asking him 10 surrender, stating that he ray
lori wa, weak and that he (Sanla Anna) had
2pilQQ ms9. and should certainly take him, Gen.
that he would have an hour to consider of the
generous offer Of Santa Anna. Gen. Tayisr
told the messenger TO thank Santa Anna ior ms
generosity, but that he could not think OF taxing
the courtesy of Gen. Santa Anna SO far as 10 de-
tain him an hour, SO that he had better come at
once! This Is given 10 me by person who says
that he was present and heard il.
send you an extract of letter from an officer
who distinguished himself on that glorious field
which is rendered thrice glorions from The dispa-
rity Of force and the peculiar circumstances IN
der which This memorable battle has been fought
Do with this as you may think proper: you
will receive al the same time this arrives TWO
sets Of dispatches the official accounts OF The
battle, forwarded by Capt. Crittenden, and sun
dry letters and dispatches in charge of Major
Co6ee-so you need nol expect any more Of The
battle from me- | consider this battle as an
event that must terminate The war! So brilliant,
50 unexpected, so signal in all its incidents and
influences! Truly your friend,
JOHN B. BUTLER,
PaymasIer, U. s. A.
MONTEREY, Mexico, March 4, ls47.
Extract Of ettsr dated salo, Mexico, March l, '47
sour scouts bring in word that Santa Anna
has gone Tor good and that his whole infantry
hav8 been dispersed There is no doubt OF IT.
We shall not see him again on this line. We