The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-26
OFFICIAL.
From Cen. Tayios'. Array.

Continual from yesterdays "tason-)
cAsr Al Acra Nvsva, NIss'se.
March ,, i-F7
SIR: By your direction have The hone, 70 fef"n ~,
operatons with one piece Of artillery in'n TIE esfist
OF light company c. "a artillery, at and near >stio "N
the I'D and a3d February, lsiI.
On the morning of the 2li was left al NE camp neAi
Saltllo with one piece of artillery 60 lounet ~ ss~'~
in protecting the camp Two companies OF hiA~as-lr
rifemen were left in camp for rs defence pufuaF ne
afternoon the wagons were so placed a. 10 iufn bsi,
cade for part OF the camp, the front beng pfofeiei "
my gun and the two companies OF rfemen Win cross
fire in front from the fort
lions to watch the motions OF large b0iy 81 the enc
mvs cavalry in the plain below Saliillo and they came
up upon the plain above the city and attack The camp 10
s'defend il to the last extremity"
Soon after the general left for the lines beyond baena
Vista discovered small parties OF the enemy coming af
from the lower plain, AMI cmbng high into The mountains
the left OF the road evidently To overlook the upper
plain and battlefield
About noon a great dust was seen in the direction oi
Buena Vista, and soon after considerable number oi
mounted volunteers rushing along the road When
they came into camp they reported themselves as BELONGING
10 the Arkansas cavalry and every effort made BY the
gallant officers of the Mississippi remen stop them.
but with little effect These mounted soon
followed BY number of runaway volunteer infantry
Just at this time two heavy squalrons 81 the enemy
ancers upon the plain at the foot OF the mountain
and above Arspas Mills They advanced rapidly towards
the road and halted it, to be Just out of the
reach of my gun and those at the fort fired two shots
but without effect In this position they picked up few
straggers AS the runaways from the army reported
force routed, and believing should have TO make q
desperate stand to defend the camp, deemed II imPoss
bic, at that moment, to attack them the open PLAIN
had my gun ready horses hamessed, &c, 10 make a
dash at the first favorable moment
watched with glass, IRON an elevated position and
that troops all routed, and that from the
direction in which our cannon were hrng that every
thing going well in our lines The ookouts in the
mountains had evidently communicated by signals with
the enemy in the plain below the city; for, early the
afternoon the whole body of the enemys cavalry mosi
ly lancers) came upon the plain In one vast column
l.ttoI hah ND tho aHr
near the road Captain Webster from the fort fired some
shells at them, but without effect the distance too
great
After remaining short time in this position they
wheeled into line and moved off towards the mountain
and obliquely towards Buena Vista saw this the
time to attack them, believing that | could drive them
from the plain, else bring them down charge upon
position, wherel knew perfectly wei, with two com,
panes OF remen to support me- we could beat them on
and then rout them. Thus my first Intention was to ad
vance rapidly upon them and fire. and retire to camp if
they attempted a charge with their whole force
Accordingly advanced at a rapid gallon, with SIM
two thousand cavalry, mostly lancers By the time
was within striking distance the whole column was IN
motion towards the, lower. plain. ! halted and fired
several shots at the flank OF the lumn. again ad
vanced upon them, halted and fired few rounds in rapid
succession producing some confusion, at least, IN their
ranks, About this time large crowd Of stragglers
teamsters, &C., something like hundred had gathered
about my gun, mounted in all sorts Of style, and armed
with swords, with PISTOLS some with
muskets rifles, doubled-barreled guns, SC, and all
yelling tremendously, but without any order olgani
cation
again advanced and fired several rounds, when dis
covered that Captain Webster had started piece my
support. About this time found was getting rather
far from camp retreat if the enemy made rapid
charge, thus placing myself and command in imminent
danger unless observed great caution. 1 discovered
that the head of the enemys column far advanced
along the foot of the mountains and in consequence OF
the many ravnes, could not readily come TO the assis
lance of the again advanced with confidence, be-
lievng could easily keep off the of the column
When within good range OF the foot of the mountain,
nearly all the 5 had passed into the and
Jingle hOrseman in front watching movements
suspected at that there was large force drawn
up under cover of the hill TO charge upon my gun the
moment should come upon the hill thus being within
Two three hundred yards of them | advanced alone
At full gallop several hundred yards when suddenly
ready for the charge. gaoped back, moved my piece
TO the right to commanding position, and fired single
shot into them when they all fled. Just at this mo-
ment by some accident the pole OF the Timber was
broken. Immediately caused the timber of the caisson
TO supply its place. The men, with most commendabe
activity replaced it with spare pole from the caisson
mill above Arspas Mills, where grand sight burst upon
my view. The whole column was winding its way
along the foot Of the mountain and through the ravines
more than half the column being range of my gun
galloped back to bring it up, placed it in position and
fired rapidly into their crowded ranks producing con-
was faced the by fours, and began back
brisky with the evident intention of charging when
shot into their ranks sent them of to the eftabou
they reach, evidently doing them much damage
Owing TO the deep ravines which they passed
could follow them no further but felt very much graft
fed that had been able TO drive them from the plain
During the latter part of the firing, the howitzer under
Lieutenant Donaldson did serious execution, could
see shells bursting IN and near their ranks.
Thus having followed the enemy over an open plain
for three miles from which he compelled to re-
lire, | lesurely returned to camp
In conclusion, beg to say that am deeply indebted to
men for the active manner in which they discharged
their duties about the piece and with truth say that
have never men exhibit spirit and energy on
any occasion. Respectfully submitted,
w. H. SHOWER, lst Lieut.. Sd Art
To Captain B. BRAGG,
Comdg light comp. c, Sd Art
DRAGooN CAMP, Near Aqua Nueva Mexico0
March 3, ls47.
MAJOR In compliance with your directions have
the honor submit the following report of the services
hy nd in affn of md