The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-29
Brig. Gen. Wool.
CAMP SAN JUAN DE BuENA VISTA,


Apreeabv 10 instructions from Brigader General Wool
20 report the positions OF the several companies OF the is
Illinois volunteers during the battle OF Buena VISTA fough
on the 22d and 23t February lSl7, have the honor &c
report. -
Captain Morgans company (A) and Captain Prem
tss's company () had been detached forming part OF
the garrison of Sallo, under the command OF hla]o
Warren, and were in that place during the engagement
The remaining eight companies encamped IN rear o.
the pass the evening OF the 2ist and during that nlgh
they threw up embankment on the right OF the road a
the pass On the morning of the 22d Captain Crows
company (F) and Captain Wyatt's company under the
command of Lieutenant Colonel Weatherord, were or
dered to occupy and complete the ditch in the valley and
the remaining six companies, under the command OF Io
Hardin erected slight breastwork on the null. Inc
regiment remained in this position during the day and
night OF the 22d On the morning OF the 23d immediate
ly after the first heavy charge OF infantry Colonel Har-
din led four companies from the hill on TO the plateau
Captain Montsomery's company. CID Captain Labrskies
company CD Captain Richardson's company, (E,) and
Captain Smiths company, (B.) With these he moved up
and supported the Kentucky infantry, on the right AS
he advanced, the enemy opened IRE upon our right
flank, from the second ravine beyond the pass Colonel
Hardin wheeled his command to the right and ordered
charge bayonets, and routed the enemy from hs posi-
ton and drove him across the ravne and the next hill,
killing and wounding large number After passing the
aforementioned ravne, Colonel Hardin found his com.
mand detached from the other regiments engaged and
turning, he passed across to the rayne on the lett OF
Braggs battery, and was ordered to support IT. lie re
manned in this position for two hours; during which
time the colonel ordered up Captain Movers company,
tk) who. with Captain Fry's company, Co had been
m, Braggs and part OF Washngtons batteries were
moving up the ridge toward the mountain, Captain
Chiffon rode up and told Colonel Hardin that he was or
dered 70 the right 10 make charge; TO hurry, OF
he would be too late; that the Dragons then
moving up Tor charge Col H. IS command filed right
by the heads of companies passed through the batteries
and came INTO line the right. AT that moment the
head OF heavy column of Mexican infantry appeared
and opened atfemendous fire Col ii. took shelter
der the bank OF the ravine on the right and moved
up to the head of the ravine, and opened a fire or
the Mexican column. Up to this time he had not lost
single man killed The result OF that last unfortunate
charge the general already knows When that part OF
the comnand again reached the beastwork on the hill
companies i, G., and,C were led by Lieut. Col Weather
ford To the head of the ravne on the left of the hill In
CONJUNCTION with one of the Indiana regiments, they
cuped that ground during the remainder OF the day
night Companies and came up from Saitlio during
the night of the 23d and were posted near companies
c, and G.
During the whole time engaged, both officers and mel
behaved IN the most gallant manner. Col lfafdh ma
distinguished himself during the day tor his fearless am
eager bearing. Capt. Zabriske also behaved ana dle
like soldier and Lieut. Houghon defended himself L
the last against the crowd of ancers around him. Ines
three officers all fell in the last charge of the day 70
the names of the officers who distinguished themselves
the general is referred to the roster.
| would beg leave further TO report the operations o
Captain Washngons battery, so far it acted in con
junction with the LIST Illinois volunteers.
On The evening of the 22d an embankment thrown
ND between the ditch dug by the LIST Illinois volunteer
and the hill, and five pieces oil Captain Washington
,vere paced behind it, so 10 command the road, sup
norte3 on the right BY companies and q, occupying tn,
ditch On the morning OF the 23d heavy column pre-
scented itself moving from the Mexican lines and ma