Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-08
THE ARKANSAS TROOPS AT BuENA VISTA.

The ARKANSAS TROOPS AT BUENA VISTA.
As controversy has already sprung up respecting the
conduct Of portion Of the Arkansas volunteers al the battle
of Buena Vista, think it than just TO let mem
Der Of that corps ecite, in his way, deeds on the oc-
referred to. The opportunity to do so is afforded by
the annexed from letter which appears in the last
Arkansas Stale Democrat" published at Little Rock into
which paper is transferred from the " Gazette Of the same
place. The letter is dated
"BUEsA YIsrA, FEBRUARY rs. Is47.
position assigned regiment at the north base
Of tho mountain The battle upon the heights had com
menced with the break of dayhe enemy above and the
volunteers lower down, Bayones and guns gteed among
the rocks and strawberries shower Of silver was falling
The enemys number increased till the whole mountain was
in roar and covered with smoke. They swept down in
thousands and the few defenders gave way and took another
position lower down.
Soon after, the main body OF the appeared com
ing Immediately position. One of The Indiana reg
mens ordered TO our support but after standing heavy
fire for time gave way and left alone. We were or
dered 10 fall back and take position across deep rayne
We did but the result that had abandon also
for threatened with charge from the lancers in the
midst Of shower OF balls from and muskets As
commenced falling back the lancers did make
charge and repulsed them and drove them back the
Mexican infantry.
sHere COL Yell gave an unfortunate order He dis
mounted billiards. squadron fight in ravne till aid could
come from the right flank Of army The Mexican nial-
try advancing and pouring shower of bullets down the
ravine. We being taken prisoners After firing
round So which checked the advance of the enemy we
started for horses. They all killed gone but two
three Some of reganed and Joined the regiment
"We then took stand about hundred yards from the
ranch of the Bucna Vista The Kentucky cavalry, under
Col MARsHALL forgot to mention, had shared the day with
us, bad had BEEN When the stand the ranch
made both regiments could not have counted than
three hundred and fifty the rest had all been scattered
by horses getting away throwing them, being killed under
them.
The lances about two thousand strong bore down upon
eyelled fired
upon them. They sprung the fire and charged them
They separated in divisions LETT and the other
right We pressed those the left and the work OF
death raging If balls and lances, sabres smoke and
DUST shoutng groaning, and dying compose glory,
in the midst Of it. Not word spokenit was all fight
ing. Here Col Yell fell, and Capt PoRTER-and poor
JOHN PELHAM, the beloved Of our regiment. +.
ssThe Mexcans tumbed every side. saw them struck
down with sabres and trampled beneath horses feet
them beg with upted hands for mercy but it was
membered that those very hands had driven their ances into
the hearts of countymen They scaered part fled
back the Mexican infantry the other got deep
guIley and through the gap Of mountain the right and
seen that day. piece of ordnance gave them
a few farewell halls as they went.
During this time the other volunteers were IN the midst
Of the fight the right flank When returned TO the
field after the Of the ance the aspect Of things bright
ened in favor The Mexicans charged up within sixty
yards of 6pounde and the Mississippi regiment; another
moment fire burst forth from men, and the enemy fell
like wheat before gust Of wind.
sThe Illinois volunteers were in the midst of glory
Never did hear such a oil lady may sweep
her fingers along the pianos keys for the muske and strike
the strings every second for the cannons and
me idea Of the firing might be conveyed.
"Co HARDIN was killed in charge. He the bravest
Of tho brave COL CLAY, and several other gallant officers,
also fell
ssrhe fight lasted till night II had been of hours
duration, of two hours, but from to sun had ragged
and during every moment Of that tme bullets cannon balls,
bombs and bayonets had been acting their deathwok
every side Historians will record bloodie and glo
victory than Montercyhan any, perhaps, this continent
has witnessed.
"The loss of our regiment is sixteen killed. good many
wounded, but few of them MORALLY There who
will remember Buena Vista with regret for their cowardy
conduct few from all our companies when fell back
from position the base of the mountain, imagined that
the battle lost and off and took shelter in Saltlo,
telling those there who defend the city most appalling
tales Of Santa Annals victory When they heard the tide had
turned they back he most of them) and loud in
their Of their vaor Men fed to Satlo that
thought brave, and fought that thought were
wavsring
"Coi YELL was fearless to recklessness Capt PORTER
able to draw his sword in action, having suffered some
time with rheumatism II does good to tell the world Of
many Of regiment who fought Buena VISTA There
DEsHA and the SEARcIs brothers, of Captain Porers
company who stood and fought danger wherever offered
only attack two but long the battle lasted
they the field And must do justice TO Col ROAM,
whom hate politician much any earth He
with u.s. encouraging and managing affairs with
skill thought he did possess He shone upon this battle
field in better light than him. He seemed 10
fight for glory, and combined with duty he stood calm and
cheered the when remen shot down either
side of him and when il the charge at the ranch,
his sabre fell about like streak Of lightning the Mexcans
and their blood is upon He led and did not choose
safety side for himself and there is of that does
feel that he honored State by his gallant bearing
Buena Vista.
.sA the officers of our regiment with cxcep-
TONS passed the fiery ordeal that is all that fought any
PIKEs squadron attached COL Mars dragons, and
did FIRE gun during the day. Those whom, is said
aered and off town, belonged the rife companies
II is thought that the Of all those that fled Salto
will be published in the Washington papers.