The Arkansas banner., 1847-04-21
Camp 7ayloy, MexieO,
 March 3d, 4. D., fSi7


 Ssldom has t fallen to my lot to record aI more disagreeable fac. than the one which ] now undertake. yet these things must or should be done.
 The pride of Arkansas, the mainstay of this regiment, and your friend, is TO more. Col. YELL is amongst the dead. His body sleeps upon the plains of Buena Vista, where il fell, whilst his spirit has gone up to heavens high court, io receive the reward due to brave and noble soul.
 Before this reaches you, you will have heatd of the battle of the 22nd and 23rd of February last, and of the death of Col. Yell. The particulars of these disastrous, terrible, yet proud days, will pass over for the want |of time and space to narrate. The victory gained upon this occasion, taking every thing into consideration, the great disparity of |numbcrs--the Mexieaas having on the field |tweniy-two thousand, whilst our number all hold did not exceed four thousand eight hun |dred--all these things being properly weigh led, the victory is one of the most brilliant |on the annals of warfare.
 The actual fight lasted twelve hours, not calculating the evening of the 22d. The loss on our side being great, 25O killed, wound- led, 470, and the loss on the side of the ene- |my most terrific, their dead not being less than two thousand, and the wounded and missing being four thousand more. So you will see from tweuty-two thousand brought, I've started Sania Anna back, the way he came |minns six thousand men, thousand more than we began the fight with.
 Our regiment sustained itself most gailau- ly, leaving twenty-five dead on the ground and woundiug forty more out of the eight companies that were in the fight, two com
 panies, Capts. Pike and Preston, jr, being detached from the regiment were not in the batiie at any time either on the 22d or 23d Amongst the number left dead oil that hard fought field, was some of our best and bray. est officers and men, will name those with whom you are acquainted. Col. Yell, Capt Pc. ter and John Pelham, all these fell while
 making charge in conjunction with the
 Kentucky cavalry upon about three thous. and Mexican lancers, our number being foul hundred.
 Col. Yell, from the opening of the fight to his melancholy though glorious death, bore himself in peculiar manner. He was brave, this we all knew, and desperate when it was necessary. Yet we all thought him prudent land SO he was. But on this occasion he !seemed to forget all his former prudence land where ever the battle ragged hottest there he led his men. Wherever death in his mosi rapid strides marched, there was he confron-  |of death flew thckest and the bristling lances 'of their terrible horse gleamed most bright and fearless, there he spurred on his steed Now laying one prostrate with. ball from his pistols, and then charging with sabre in hand until he fell wounded in six places, all however in the front and two ghastly wounds lupon that brow that was still serene, though 'mululated and stark in death.
 In few words he died like soldier, an Iohcer, and an American patriot Capt. Por- ter died as he should, fighting to the last both he and his Colonel far ill advance oi their men, cheering them on to victory, and leading the way.
 A short time after these were gathered home to their reward, John Pelham fell - Poor boy, he had soul magnanimous be- yond his years. fife was young, but the very 'personification of all that was brave and no- ,blc, and speak the truth when say he was more regret,d than any one who fell that day. Every body knew John Pelham, and Ia know him was to love him. His horse fell down with him, and he was left foot.
 saw him, and was in the act of taking him up behind me when he was killed. He saw the loernen in time to turn and receive their lance m bosom that never harbored other than generous emotions.
 We had many other good fellows killed on the 23d. Josh. Daaley was not killed but three times badly wounded, and when un. horsed, wounded with ball, cut with sabre, and pierced by lance, he jerked Mexican horseman to the ground, and with his own lance, pinned him to the earth; thus des- patching him, and saving his own life; he staggered of few steps and fell, where he was found bleeding and taken care of after the fight.
 We took prisoners enough to redeem Maj. BorlaBd, and all our men tha. were taken with him. They will be shipped a, Vera Cruz, and sent home, and may be there be- fore this rnaehes yan