Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-04-15
Speaking of the engagement on the 22nd, the

Delta says
The broken nature Of the ground divided the for
ces SO that instead of general engagement, the
regiments were compelled in great measure t
fight on their own hook, Our officers were always
in the advance, leading their troops-hence the
grea; mortality among them. In this general melee
one OF our small regiments. of 400 men, would be
attacked by a whole Mexican brigade Of several
thousand Thus the Kentucky infantry was at
tackled at the foot of hill, in deep ravne by an
immense force of the enemy.
"A large number of the officers were killed here
among them was Col. Mckee, who fell badly
wounded, and was Immediately despatched by the
enemy, who pierced him with their bayonets as he
lay on the ground. Lieut.. Col Clay was shot
through the thigh, and being unable to walk, was
taken up and carried some distance by some of his
inca, but owing TO the steepness of the hill the men
FINDING 1t very difficult to carry him. and the enemy
III great numbers pressing upon them, the gallant
Lieut.. Colonel begged them TO leave him on the
held. The last that was Of this noble young Of
hcer, he was lying his back, fighting with his
sword tic enemy who were stabbing him with their
bayonets
The veteran Capt. WIN. S. Willis, of the same
regiment, at the head of his company, with three
stalwart sons who fought at his side, was badly
wounded, but still continued the fight, until he
was overcome with the loss of blood. In the mean
ordered to charge the enemy, were seized with
panic, and displayed some hesitation. Assistant
Adj. Gen. Lincoln rushed to their 'front.' and whilst
upbrading them for their cowardice, was shot, Sc
vera balls passing through his body. In Justice to
this brigade it should be stated that they subse-
quently rallied, and fully redeemed their reputation
by the most gallant and effective fighting
Col. Hardin led the Illinosians in very hand
some style, and the sturdy suckers fought like
lions. Their intrepid Colonel fell wounded. and
experienced the fate of Colonels Mckee and Clay,
and was killed by the encmy--not however before
he had killed one of the cowardly miscreants with
pistol, which he fired whilst lying on the ground
Col. Yell led, the foremost man, a charge of his
mounted volunteers against large body of lancers,
and was killed by lance, which entered his mouth
and tore off one side of his face.
The Mississippi ms, the heroes of Monterey, after
doing hard duty as skirmshers, were ordered into
line to receive charge of cavalry, which they did
with their rifles delivering at the same time most
destructive fire among the crowded columns of ca
valry. The enemy We're completely repulsed.
The distinguished commander of this gallant reoi
ment Colonel Jefferson Davis, was badly wound
cd, an escopette ball having entered his foot and
passed out OF his leg. He was, however, doing
well when last heard from. The chvalrous Lieut.
Col. McClung was prevented from doing his share
OF the brave deeds Of this brilliant fight by the grev
Gus wound received at the battle of Monterey which
sill confines him to his bed and from which it is
much feared by his best friends he will never recover
Col. Humphrey Marshall's splendid regiment of
Kentucky Cavalry were impatient for an opportuni-
" OF showing their mettle, and avenging the cap
ture OF their BRETHREN then in the hands of the enc
my. They were soon favored with the desired OBJ
Portunty, by the approach Of a force of more than
2uOO Lancers and Hussars, who CALAMITY charged
them. The kentuckians stood their ground with
imlnovable steadiness, and receiving the enemy
with fire from their carbines, charged in the most
gallant style through the column on the right, and
wheeling, fell on their left, dispensing and killing
great many Of them. A like charge was made
by Col May, at the head of squadron of Dragons,
and one of Arkansas Cavalry, against n large BODY
of the enemy's Cavalry, with like results.
As 10 the flags Santa Anna boasts of having ia
ken, they are very probably mere company mark
ers, which were dropped on the field and picked up
by the valiant MeXicans. His Exceency of the
War Department, TO whom Santa Anna has sent
these trophies, will no doubt be sorely disappointed
In the sze texture, and beauty of these standards
Mexican pride is easily satisfied when such feeble
mementos OF their proweSs and valor as these con-
sole them for so inglorious defeat.
All the officers our side lin this hard -foupht
battle, distinguished themselves. The details of
the battle confided to Gen Wool. who nobly
justified the confidence of his commander and bro.
therveteran, by the most active, jealous eficien:
and gallant conduct Throughout the whole action
he was constantly engaged in the disposition of onr
forces, and i'll rallying them to the onset 1t was
miracle that he escaped the thick flying balls which
thnned the ranks he was marshalling. There was
but one complaint made against him and that was
that lie exposed himself too much BRIG. General
Lane, also, showed himself to he brave and capa-
BILE officer. Although wounded early in the action
he kept his horse until it closed and never for a
moment left his post.
The New Orleans Picayune relates the following
incident, which occurred at the Battle of Buena
Vista
The KENTUCKY REGrMENr-At a very criti-
cal point OF the battle on the 23d, when it became
necessary to sustain one Of our columns, which was
staggering under charge made by the Mexcans
IN overwhelming numbers. Gen TAYLOR DESPATCHED
Mr.. Crlttenden TO order Col. Mckee, of the I'd
Kentucky Regiment, to bring his men into imme-
date action. Mr. Crit;enden found the rerment
men and officers eager for the fray, delivered the
order and rode back 10 the General by whose side
IT was his duty to keep. The Kentuckans moved
forward In gallant style. led by Mckee and CLAW.
Doth oil whom, alas fell in subsequent part of the
uay. IL so happened that before reaching a posi-
ton from which they could deliver an effective fire
the regiment had to cross a valley which was bro.
ken up by ravines and masses of stone Whilst
crossing this valley the heads only Of the men could
be seen from the point which Gen. Taylor and Mr.
Crlttenden occupled--and these were bobbng III
and down and crosswlse in such confusion as to i'm
press both with the idea that the regiment had fall
en- into disorder. The Mexcaus were annoying
mem AT the same moment by fire, which helped
TO confirm the opinion OF the General that the Ken
tuckIans were thrown into distnay.
1t was one Of those decisive crises which Occur
IN every contested field, when the issue of the day
depended tor the time being, upon the gallantry Of
a particular corps
Gen. Taylor, who, as before said could only SC,