Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-21
THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA>.
Correspondence OF the N. o. Tropic
Camp at Buena Vista, Feb, pa, II

intelligence having reached Gen. Taylor, at ms
camp the hll,overloozing Salnllo from the south
that Santa Anna whose presence in our vicinity had
been reported for several days, was advancing upon
our main body, stationed near the rancho San Juan
de Buena Vista, about miles from Saltillo. The
General Immediately moved forward with Mays
squadron of Dragons, Shermans and Bragg batter
les of artillery, and the Mississippi regiment OF ri
helnen, under Col Davis and arrived at the position
he had selected for awaiting the attack of the
my about IL o'clock. The time and the place, the
hour and the man, seemed to promise glorious eel
ebration OF the day 1t was the 22nd February,
the anniversary of that day which the God OF
Battles gave TO ieeedom its noblest champion, to
patriotism its purest model, TO Anne RIGA preserv-
err and to the world the nearest realization of hui
man percction-for panegyric sinks before the name
of Washington.
The morning was bright and beautiful. Not
cloud iloated athwart the armament dimmed the
azure OF the sky and the flood of golden radience
which gilded the mountain tops and poured over
the valleys wrought light and shade into thousand
fantastic forms. A soft breeze swept down from
mountain, rolling into graceful unduatons the BAN
ner of the Republic, which was proudly streaming
from the flag staff of the fort, and from the towers
and battlements of Saltillo. The omens we re all
in our favor.
In the choice OF his positions Gen. Taylor had ex-
hibted the same comprehensive sagacity and mas
terly coup aeit, which characterized his DISPOSE
ton at kesaca de Ia Palma, and which crowned tri-
umphantly all his operations amid the blazing lines
oil Monterey. The mountains rise either side
OF irregular and broken valley about three miles
In width dotted with hills and ridges and scar
red over with long and winding rayines. The main
road lies along the course of an arroyo the bed of
which is now so deep to form an almost mpasa-
bic barrier while the other side is bounded by PEE
oil
ard the mountains, separated by broad gullies until
they mlngle into at the base of the principal
range. On the right of the narrowest point OF the
red road a battalion of the LIST Illinois Regiment
under 1t Col Weatherlord, was stationed in small
trench, extending to the natural raVine, while on
the opposite height, the main body or the regiment
under CT Hardin, was posted, WITH single piece
OF artillery from Capt. Washingtons battery The
post of honor on the extreme right was assigned
TO Braggs artillery his left supported by the I'd reg
lment OF Kentucky foot under Col. Mckee the lett
Hank OF winch rested upon the arroyo. Washing
ton battery occupied position Immediately in
front OF the narrow point OF the road way in rear
oiWhich and somewhat to the left on another height
the I'd illinois Regiment under Col Bssel, was pos
ted Next on the left, the lndianna brigade under
ten. Lane was deployed while on the extreme left
the kentucky Cavalry under Col Marshal occupied
position directly under the trowning SUBMITS of
the mountains. The two squadrons of the LIST and
"a Dragons, and the Arkansas cavalry under Col
yell, were posted in rear, ready for any service
which the exigences OF the day might require.
lhese dispositions had been made for some time
when the enemy was seen advancing in the distance
and the clouds Of dust which rolled IN before him
gave satisfactory evidence that his numbers were
not unworthy the trial OF strength upon which we
were about to enter. lie arrived upon his position
N immense masses, and with force sniEcietlv nu-
nlerouS TO have commenced his attac,, at once but
had ne been as confident Of success as it subsequent
~ appeared he was sollcltous for our safety The
hrst evidence directly afforded US Of the presence of
Santa Anna, white flag which was dimlv
seen fiutterlng in the breeze and anon Surgeon
General Lindenbergh. of the Mexican Army, arriy-
eu' bearing beautiful emblem of benevolent bra
v'mo ana christian charity. 1t was mssive from
Santa Anna, suggested by consideration for our per
sonai comfort which has placed us under lasting
obligations, proposing to Gen. Taylor terms orun-
conditional surrender, promising good treatment
assuring us that his forces amounted to upwards O,
2D,oUO men, that our de eat was inevitable and that
10 spare the eiiuson OF blood his propositions should
he complied with. Strange to say the. American
General showed the greatest ingratitude eyinced
no appreciation whatever OF Santa Annals kindness
and informed him that whether his force amounted
70 10000 or $4,000 it was equally matter of in
difference the terms of adjustment must be arrang
ed by gnpowder
The messenger returned to his employer, and we
waited in silence to hear the roar of his artillery
Hours moved by without any movements on his
part, and it appeared thatthe Mexican commander,
gneved at cur Stubbornness was almost disnosed
10 retrace hs steps as il determined TO have no fur
ther intercourse " tn slth ngr ltetul aulacitv. At
lehSlh ne mustered resolution 10 open a mortar
throwing several shells into our camp without exc
cuton. While this was going on. Can't. S,ee,e of
TIE LIST Dragons with single man started towards
a hll on winch the Mexican General seemed To he
stationed with his staff but before he COMPLETED his
ascent The party vanished and when he reached the
top ne oiSco' cred that two regiments had thrown
themselves INTO squares TO resist his charge The
capt ms gravity Was overcome By this opposition,
and he returned
just before dark number of SAINT, ipno's ;,
fshtry had succeeded in gaining position. HIGH I'D
the moantalns on Our left, from which they could
make NOISE without exposing themselves to much
danger, and at distance OF thee hundred wards
opened most Tremendous fire upon Col Marshals
regiment. This was returned BY two of his CON,
pSnles, which were dismounted and detached for the
purpose as soon as they could arrive within a
helShoorly range. The ssurmishing continued un.
VI "'ef DARK WIN no result TO us, save the wound
ing OF three men very slightly.
During the night Mexican prisoner was taken
VINO reported Santa Anna's forces as consisting al
fifteen pieces of artillery, including some 24-poun
ders, SIX thousand cavalry, aud fifteen thousand in
iantry, thus confirming the statement of his sumo
Tor.
The firing Of our extreme left which ceased
soon after sunset, on the ped, was renewed on IN,
morning of the 33d, al an early hour. This wa,
also accompanies by quick discharges of artiller,
from the same quarter, the Aiexicas having estab
ilshed l2-pounder during the night on point a
tae base of the mountain. which commanded any no
elt'on which could be taken by us To counterac
lhe effect Of lhs piece IL O rien LII artlller W.