Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-04-15

PIoYeu 10 DC FuSe TO ascertain where Gen. TayloTs
position was for after the return of the Mexican Of
hcer to his own ranks, the whole Mexican battery
seemed to open upon Gen. Taylors position, and the
balls flew over and about him like hail. Utterly in
dliferent TO the pers of his situation there sat the old
chief, his conspicuous white horse peering through
his spygass at the long lines of Mexican troops that
could be seen at great distance on the march. The
persuasion OF his aids could not induce him to aban
don his favorable point for observation, give up
his old white horse. To the suggestion of his staff
that Old Whitley was rather too conspicuous charg-
er for the commander he replied that the old fellow
had missed the fun at Monterey account of sore
foot and he was determined he should have his share
this time"
At sunrise on the 22d February the battle begun in
earnest. The Mexcans drawn out in immense
numbers. The dark columns of infantry extended as
far the eye could reach, and the cavalry seemed to
cover the whole view with their interminable lines-
At intervals between the infantry and cavalry, their
big guns strongly protected by large artillery force
kept up an lncessant cannonade against our lines
Their forces were in motion. Our artillery was
thrown forward to meet them, protected by the vol
unteers. Gen. Wool led the main body in person, and
was seen everywhere rallyng and encouraging the
volunteers. The two armies engaged in
hot conflict The broken nature of the ground divided
the forces SO that instead of one general engagement
the regiments were compelled in great measure to
fight on their own hook. Our officers were always in
the advance, leading their troops-hence the great
mortality among them-n this general melee, one of
our small regiments of 400 men, would be attacked by
whole Mexican brigade of several thousands Thus
the Kentucky infantry was attacked at the foot of
hill In deep ravne, by an immense force of the en-
envy. A large number of the officers were killed here
among them was Colonel Melee, who fell badly
wounded and was Immediately despatched by the en-
envy, who pierced him with their bayonets as he lay
on the ground. Lieut.. COL Clay shot through the
thigh, and being unable to walk, taken up and
carried some distance by some of his men, but owing
to the seepness of the HILL the men finding it very diff
tlcult to carry him, and the enemy in great numbers
pressing upon them, the gallant Lieut.. Colonel begged
them to leave him and take care Of themselves For
ced to leave him on the field, the last that of
this noble young officer he lying on his back,
fighting with his sword the enemy who were stnbbing
him with their bayonets. The veteran Capt VIM. s.
Willis, of the same regiment at the head Of his
pany, with three stawart who fought at his side
badly wounded, but still continued the fight IN
til he was overcome with the loss of blood.
In the meantime, the Indiana brigade, who were
drawn out and ordered to charge the enemy were
seized with panic, and displaying some hesitation,
Assistant Adutant Gen Lincoln rushed to their 'front.'
and while upbraiding them for their cowardice, was
shot, several balls passing through his body In just
ice to this Brigade it should be stated that they sub
sequenty rallied, and fully redeemed their reputation
by the most gallant and effective fighting.
Col. Hardin led the lIlinoisions in very handsome
style, ami the sturdy " suckers" fought like ions.--
Their intrepid Colonel fell wounded, and experienced
the fate of Colonel Mckee and Clay, and was killed
by the enemy-not however, before he had killed one
of the cowardly mscreants with pistol, which he fir
ed while lying on the ground.
Col. Yell led, the foremost man, a charge of his
mounted volunteers against large body of ancers,
and was killed by q lance, which entered his mouth
and tore off one side of his face
The Missssippans, the heroes of Monterey, after
doing hard duty skirmishers, were ordered into line
to receive charge of cavalry which they did with
their rifles, delivering at the time most destruc-
tive fire among the crowded columns ofcavay. The
enemy were completely repulsed The gallant com
nander of this gallant regiments COL Jefferson Davis,
was badly wounded, escopette ball having entered
his foot and passed out of his leg. lie was, however,
doing well when last heard from. The chvurous
Col. McClong was prevented from doing his share Of
the brave deeds of this brilliant fight by the gevous
wound received at the battle of Monterey, which still
confines him to his bed, and from which it is feared
by his best friends he will never recover.
Col. Humphrey Marshals splendid regiment Of
Kentucky cavalry were impatient for opportunity of
showing their mee and avengng the capture of their
brethren, then in the hands of the enemy. They were
favored with the desired opportunity the approach
OF force of more than 1000 anCers and hussars, who
CALAMITY charged them The Kentuckians stood their
ground with immovabe stcalineSs, and receiving the
enemy with fire from their carbincs, charged in the
most gallant style through the column the right
and wheeling fell their left, dispensing and killing
great many of them. like ch1rge was made by
Col. May, at the head of squadron of dragoons and
one of Arkansas cavalry, against large body of the
enemy's cavalry, with like results.
During the engagement on the right, Santa Anna,
seeing that Gen. Taylo's force not well protect
ed on the left flank, sent large force Of cavalry a
round that point, and outhankng Taylor, succeeded in
throwing 1000 men into his rear. But Gen. Taylor
Immediately sent Capt. Bragg with his artillery, a
ganst this force, who succeeded in cutting them off
from the main body.
THE particulars Of the interview Of Lieut. Critten-
den with Santa Anna, are given in another place.
The old General-in- Chief remained at his original
and much exposed position, experimenting the battle
and narrowly watching its events An escopette ball
passed through his overcoatthat same old brown so
familiar to all the officers and men who have been I'M
der his command, and which has seen several cam
paigns in Florida, in Texas, and Mexico.
On the night of the 2?d, both armies drew off from
the field of battle. Our men were engaged all night
IN bringing in the wounded and taking OF them
the Mexcans as we'll as their own men. There were,
however, but few of our men found on the field wound
ed They were, to use Santa Annals significant
words, in his despatch, all Dead" the cowardy mis-
creants having killed every man whom they overlook
wounded and helpless on the field. With like turpt-
ude and treachery, they left their dead unbured
and their wounded uLcared for on the field where they
fell The latter were carried to Saltllo In own
wagons the former were buredby the Acade under
the orders of Gen. Taylor.
A number of officers were taken prisoners, and an
exchange was effected, by which all our men who are
now in their hands were released Cassius M. Clay's
party are understood to be in the city of Mexico.
AS an instance of the desperation with which both
armies fought Mr. Crittenden, who acted Gen, Tay
lors aid throughout the fight when asked whether the
Mexicans had taken three pieces Of ordnance from US,
as Santa Anna reported, replied in the affirmative and
said that the guns not given up till every man al
them was shot down and every horse killed near them
and moreover that in bearing them off, the Mexicans
suffered loss of some six hundred men. They in
terfered mady between the retreatlng guns and ou
men seeking to regain them. These guns par
of Capt Washington's battery under the command Of
Lieut. O'Brien Lieut.. O'Brieu was wounded before
his guns were taken, and when reporting his loss tc
Cen Taylor was complimented for his bravery-it wa
no fault of his. Capt. Washington was in onothe
aFtL GoIl Cd