Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-29

rendered such qood service on the monniain, were
compelled TO withdraw, which they did. for the
most pan, ia good order. Many, however, wefs
not rallied until they reached the depot at Buenu
VISTA to the defence Of which they afterwards con.
lrbn,cd.
Colonel Dissers regiment. cd Illinois, which
had been joined by o section Of Captain Shermnn's
battery. bad become completely on,nankeJ. and was
compelled TO fall back, being entirely unsupp0r-
ted. The cnemywas now pouring masses OF iniafi-
Try and cavalfy Siong the base Of the mountain on
cur left, aud was gaining our rear "a great force.
AT this moment arrived upon the held. The Mis-. I
sissippi regiment had been directed to the len be-
fore reaching the position, aud Immediately came
into action against the Mexican infantry which had
turned our flank The ID Kentucky regimen, |
aud section OF artillery under Captain Bragg. had
previously been ordered from the Tightto reinforce
our left, and arrived at Almost oppof,une moments
That regiment, and portion Of the LIST lllinois,
under Col. Hardin, gallaniy drove the enemy, and
recovered portion Of The ground we had lost
The batteries Of Cupts. Sherman aud Bragg were
in position on the plateau and did much execution,
not only in front. but particularly upon the masses
which had gained our rear. Discovering that the |
enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi re-
giment the 30 Indiana regiment, under Col. Lane.
despatched TO strengthen that part Of our line,
which formed a cro,chet perpendicular 10 the FIRST
line OF battle. AT the same time Lieut.. kburn,
WIN piecc VI OHpt pIaHB soaNetl inae uhe~so's'
support the infantry there engaged The action
was for long time warmly sustained al that point
the enemy making several attempts both with IN
fnntry and cavalry against our line. and being AZ
ways repulsed with heavy loss. had placed all
the regular cavalry and Capt Pixies squadron OF
Arkansas horse under the orders Of Brcvet Lieut.
Col May, with directions TO hold in check the
enemy's column still advancing TO the rear along
the base OF the mountain, which done IN con-
junction with the Kentucky aud Arkansas cavalry
under Colonies Marshall aud Veil In the mean
time left which still strongly threatened by
a superior ioree, was further strengthened by the
detachment Of Capt. Bragg's and portion Of Capt.
Sherman's batteries. TO that quarter. The concen-
tration Of artillery FIRE upon the masses OF the enc
my along the base Of the mountain, and The de-
ternned resistance offered by the regiments
opposed TO them, bad created confusion IN their
ranks, and some OF the corps attempted TO effect
retreat upon their main line Of battle.
The squadron Of the LIST dragons. under Lieut..
Rucket, was now ordered up the deep rayine which
these refreshing corps were endeavorng 10 cross in
order TO charge aud dispense them The squadron
proceeded TO the point Indicated but could MOI &C,
eomplish the object, being exposed 10 heavy FIRE
from the battery established TO cover the retreat Of
ihose corps. While the squndsoa vas detached on
thus service, lar body Of the eseny was observed
TO concentrate our extreme lef. apparently with
The view Of making descent upon the hacienda oil
Buena Vista, where train and baggage were de-
posted. Lieut.. Col. May ordered TO the sup
port OF that Point, with Two pieces oil Capt. Sher-
mans battery under Lieut. Reynolds. Ia the mean
time the scattered forces the hacienda. CON-
posed IN part OF Majors Trail aud Germans COM
mands, had been to some extent organized under
the advice Of Major Munroe chief OF artillery. Nth
the assistance OF Major Morrison, volunteer staff,
and were posted 10 defend the position. Before
our cavalry had reached the hacienda, that Of the
enemy had made its attack, having bean handsome.
ly met by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry un-
der Coils Marshall and Yell. The Mexican col
umn Immediately divided, one portion sweeping by
the depot, where il received destrueIVe 6Te rom
the force which had collected there, aad then gain
ing the mountain opposite, under FIRE from Lieut.
Reynolds section, the remaining portion regalnng
the base OF the mountain our left. la the
charge at Buena Vista, Col. Yell cell gallaniy al
the head OF his regiments we also lost Adj't Vau-
CHAN, Of the Kentucky cavalry--a young officer Of
much promise. Lieut.. Col. May. who had been
rejoiued by the squadron ofthe Is. dragons and by
portions Of the Arkansas and Indiana troops under
Lieut.. Col. Roane and Maj. German. now approach
ed the base Of The mountain, holding an check the
right flank Of the enemy. upon whose masses,
crowded in the narrow gorgcs and rasines. our ar
tillery was doing fearfol execution.
The position Of that portion Of the Mexican army
which had gained our rear was now very critical,
aud it seemed doubtful whether i, could regain the
main body. Al this moment received from Gen.
Santa Anna message bya staff officer, desiring
TO know what wanted !? Immediately despatch
ed Brig Gen. Wool 10 the Mexican general-in-
chief and sent orders 10 cease firing. Upon reach-
ing the Mexican lines, Gen. Wool could not
! the enemy TO their fire, and accordingly re-
turned without having m interview. The extreme
right Of the enemy continued is retreat along the
base of the mountain. and finally in spite OF all
efforts. effected junction with the remainder Of
the army. w at
During the day. the cavalry Of General Minon
had ascended the elevated plain above Satlo, and
occupied the road from the city 10 the field Of bat
Z lie. where they intercepted several Of our men-
Approaching the town, they were fred upon by
Capt. Webster from the redoubt occupied by his
/ company and then moved OF towards The eastern
side Of the valley, aud obiquely towards Buena
Vista. Al this time Capt Shower moved rapidly
forward with his piece, supported by a-Giscellane-
Gus command Of mounted volunteers, and fred sew
efal shots at the cavalry with great effect. They
driven into the rayines which lead 10 ihR low
er valley, closely pursued by Capt Shower. who
was further supported by piece Of Capt. Web.
ster's battery under Lieut.. Donaldson, which had
advanced from the redoubt, supported by Capt
Wheeler's company Of Illinois volunteers. The
enemy made one or two efforts TO charge The artl-
ery, hut was finally driven back in a confused mass
aud did not again appear upon the plain.
4 la the meantime, the firing had partially ceased
upon the principal field. The enemy seemed 10
con6ne his efforts 10 the protection Of his artillery
and had left the plateau for a moment. when l
was recalled thlther by very heavy muskeiry fire.
On regaining that position, discovered that our
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