Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-14

BY the Mexicans in over xhelming numbers,
Gen. Taylor despatched Mr.. Crittenden to order
Col. NC. Kee, of the I'd Kentucky regiment to
bring his men into immediate action. Mr..
Critseaden found the regiment men and officer $
eager for the fray, delivered the order and rode
back to the general, by whose side it was his
duty TO keep The Kentucklans moved for
ward in gallant style, led by Mckee and Clay,
both Of whom alas. fell in subsequent part of
the day. 1t SO happened that before reaching
position from which they could deliver an ef-
fectiye fire, the regiment had to cross valley
which was broken 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.. Crittenden occu-
pied, and these were bobbing up and down and
crosswise in such confusion as to impress both
with the idea that the regiment had fallen into
disorder. The Mexicans were annoying them
at the same moment by fire, which helped to-
confirm the opinion of the general that the Ken
tuckans were thrown into dismay.
1t was one of those decisive crises which
occur in every contested field when the issue of
the day depended, for the time being, upon the
gallantry of a particular corps.
Gen. Taylor who, as before said, could only
see the heads of the troops, and misled by their
motions in getting across gullies and going "a
round rocks and other distractions, into the be-
lief that they were about to falte turned to Mr.
Crittenden, (who is a Kentuckian,) and with a
countenance icatlng deep modification, for
the General is a Kentuckian too and an eye fierce
with emotion, exclaimed: "Mr. Crittenden,this
will not do-thls is not the way for Kentuckians
to behave themselves when called upon TO
make good battle--t will not answer sir:
and with this he clenched his fist and knit his
brow and set his teeth hard together. Mr.. Crit
tenden who was mistaken by the same indca-
tions that deceived the General, could scarcely
make reply from very chagrin and shame. In
few moments, however the Kentuckians had
crossed the uneaven places and were seen as
cending the slope of the valley, shoulder to
shoulder, and with the firm and regular step of
veterans ola hundred fields.
On they moved until they reached the crest
Of the hill where they met the enemy before
the flush Of temporary advantage had subsi-
aed. Here they delivered their fire by compa-
MES with such regularity and deadly aim that
the dicimated phaanx of Mexico gave way
and retreated precipitately. As the Kentuck-
ians emerged from the valley of the countenance
Of the old general, who regarding them with
the intensest, gradually relaxed the bitterness
of its expression. A glow ofpride supplanted
the deep modification which fixed its muscles.
and enthusiasm qualified the fierce glances of
his eye. Forward they moved under the riv-
eted gaze, whose feelings became more and
more wrought mp as they approached the scene
of carnage. When they opened their fire the
old general could no longer restrain his admira-
ton, but broke forth with loud huzza. Hur-
rah for old Kentuck," he ex claimed, talking as
it were to himself and rising in his saddle
"That's the way to do it; give it to them," and
II a., Il l., H. L.
as he said it.
Having got rid of this exutation of State
pride he went about looking after other parts Of
the field.
The Kentuckians that day did their duty as
others did. They paid toll in travelling the
high road to glory, as the following list OF kill
ed and ounded shows:
We omit the list of killed and wounded in
the Kentucky corps. Of the Kentucky Cavalry
] commissioned, 8 non-commissioned officers,
and 25 pr;vates were killed; and commits
stoned, 2 non-commissioned officers, and TWEEN
ty-six privates were wounded. A total of 90
killed and 80 wounded. In the second Ken
tncky Infantry killed Col. Mckee, 1t. Col.
Clay, and AZ non-commissioned officers and
privates; wounded 81, missing /. Total lO2.
Total Kentucklant killed and wounned at Bu-
ena Vista, 1884,
1t. Col. Henry Clay.-We learn that this
gallant officer, in charge upon the Mexicans
at the battle of Buena Vista, was shot through
the legs so as to be unable to stand. Some of
his men took him up, and, although hard pressed
by the Mexcans, attempted to carry him outot
danger. Regardless of himself, he called ~ IN
them to leave him and save themselves. They
bore him to bank of considerable height, and
while they were attempting to raise him to the
top of it, cannon ball struck him,and shattered
his hip. He then commanded them to leave
him, and they did so. Shortly afterwards, they
looked back, and 10! he had raised himself half
up, and, sword in hand, was defending himself
against score of foes. A moment more, and
Mexican lance pierced his gallant bosom, aad
his hearts blood sealed his devotion to his
country.
As we have before said, the fighting on the
23d Of February was confined principally to
canonading and skirmishing with light troops.
The bloody business was done on the 23d,
which was opened by an attack from our side
under the direction Of Gen. Wool. A portion
ofthe advance was shaken by overwhelming
numbers, but was supported by Gen. Taylor
who brought forward the reserve, and decided
the day by restless charge.
An eye witness-one who was near Gen.
Taylor's person all the time with the exception
of those intervals during which he was carry
ing his orders over the feld-informs us that
not a man, with the exception above noticed,
of the Americans lines waved for an instant
while facing the most CALLING fire and receiviog
the repeated charges of the enemy, which, it is
but candor to say, were conducted with spirit
and address.
As an instance of the desperation with which
both armies fought. Mr.. Crttenden, who acted
rs Gen. Taylor's aid throughout the fight when
asked whether the Mexicans had taken three
pieces of ordnance from us, as Santa Anna re-
ported. replied in the Affirmative : and said that
the guns we're not given up till every man at
them was shot down and every horse killed
near them: and, moreover, that in bearing them
off the Mexicans suffered a loss of some six
hundred men.
They interfered madIy between the retreat
inn, gums and our men seeking to regain them,
These Guns were a part of Capt Washngton's