The Arkansas banner., 1847-04-07
corrc,poa,l.aoe q tae cot,a,erelal Times.


 MATAMoRAs, March 6, lSi7.
 GExrLRMEN-The Whnevlle arrived last evening from Camargo, which place she Jeff the 18th, ai II, A. M. There is no direct account from any officer in our gallant army al Saltillo, but there are various rumors and accounts from Monterey, and Mexican sour ces. have seen leuer that may be relied on, from Camargo, which says, Maj. Coffee, of the pay department. and Lieut.. Crittenden, of the army, were at Seralyo, and expected at Camargo. on the l4th. A steamer was ready and waiting io bring them down the river and they may be expected here to-mor- row with the official accounts, and will pro ceed to your cay as rapidly as possible.
 From sometime in February 10 the 18th inst. there was much excitement in this region. It was ascertaifed, that the whole Mexican population this side of the noun sains was in state of excitement and com motion. All communication with the upper posts, occupied by our army, was inlerrup- ted, and there were daily expectations of an attack at this place, the mouth of the Rio Grande, and elsewhere. The military were on tie gHi eire, and every citizen was en- rolled and armed. So intense was the feel ing, and so great the anxiety, that Col. Tay- Tor finally engaged Mexican to go to Mon terey. The man left here on the morning of the 4th inst, went direct course through the country 10 Monterey, and returned on the night of tine 12th, with letters, but near ly the same news had reached here on the 9th
 From all the accounts received, i. appears that after Santa Anna issued his proclama- ton at San Luis Poiosi, which you have seen, he pressed on, with his whole army, 10 attack Gen. Taylor. From the despatches taken from Lieut.. Ritchie, he was informed of the whole plan of the campaign, and knew what was the number and character of the troops withdrawn by Gen. Scott from Gen. Taylor He collected 1000 mules to pack a supply of water across the arid region between San Luis and Saltillo, fer the use of the Mexican army; and in other respects. made every arrangement in his power to as- sure success in his attack, and 10 cut off our retreat in the event of it.
 The action commenced on the 22d, about 3 ?. m., between the column commanded by Gen. Wool and the Mexican forces, and con- tinued until night. Both armies camped on the field, and the fight was resumed the next day. My information Is not accurate enough to enable me to go into detailed statement of the movements The Mexican account IS that their cavalry charged on Gen. " ool and his troops gave way, and on our side Is, that Gen. Wool was ordered 10 advance to bring on the fight, and having succeeded, he with drew 10 ihe position selected by Gen. Tay- Tor, and thus brought the Mexicans within the reach of our batteries of artillery, that moved them down by hundreds.
 This IS most probable. Gen. Taylor had selected Buena Vista as his battle, ground, and all his operations of course, were so di- rected as to bring his adversaries to his po- siiion. Military men say his selection was admirable.
 Our force was about i've thousand men some say I.j00. The Mexican force was ahout 20,0O0 or 2l.000 Our army was mostly volunteers, but the material for fight was of the best kind, and all knew the hope of retreat was desparate. The loss on ouI side Is stated in my letter ot the l2th inst. and, from subsequent information, It IS not undsr-esiimated. l. Is now stated that the Mexican loss was 1000 killed and wounded and l,700 prisoners. General Ampudla. Or ,ego, and Meiia, the Mexlcans say, are kill ed General Santa Anna IS wounded in the arm and hip; General Salas, the author ol the revolution that put down Paredes, IS a prisoner, as is Col. Moreno, the Adiutant or ! Inspector General of the army It Is aiso said tha, Gen. Minon IS killed, besides many I other officers, II t..i~ be true, the Mexirans must have fought well, and our loss in off. ceFs proves the desparaie character of the : fight on our side. The lis, of the killed ana i wounded sent you IS correct statement,-- 1 l. is feared the wound of Col. Jefferson Da- vis, first Mississippi regiment, IS mortal. 1 hope not.
 ! The most authentic accounts are from Pay. master Butler, q, Monterey. He managed te | get two expresses through to CaDargo, by i Mexicans By his last express he says, on l the 4th inst, all was quiet at Headquarters Santa Anna, with his beaten forces, was a 1 Agua Nueya, about twenty miles from Sal. tilIo, and manifested no disposition to renew 1 the attack; his troops were dispensing, anC suffering for lack of provisions.
 On the 7lh inst, Major Giddings, of thC Ohio volunteers, was OH his way ilom Mon terey to Cainargo, with about 100 men ana , field pieces, escortag train of about 3ot wagons, going Tor supplies He was attack cd, shor. distance beyond Seralvo, by heavy cavalry force. commanded by General Urea. After some sharp firing, the enemy were repalsed and pursued into Seralvo, frou which place they were dislodged, and oul forces took possession of the town, and DC. cur.ed ths honsss-Rot, however. wlthou loss. The Mexican lances first charged tn, head of the train; ,hen divided, and attacked ] i. about she centre. killing some teamsters and ffightnlng away many more. Ton car imagine the kind of protection 400 men, or foot, could give 10 line of 900 wagons. in a narrow road, attacked by eayalay. The MexieanS sncceedetI in kiilincy some l(l ov ,