The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-22
THE UNION.
OFFICIAL.

i III IL
OFFICIAL.
From Con- rayior's Army.
We are indebted to the War Office for the following
dispatches which were received last evening from the
camp at Monterey They relate principally 10 the de-
tails of the memorable battle OF Buena Vista The fol-
lowing is the last letter received from the general
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey April 2lst, 1917.
SIR Since my despatch of April llth Major Cheval-
lie has reached this place with part of his command
the remainder being detached with train now on ITS
way up via China. Agreeably to my orders, Major
Chevallie has explored the country between China and
Montemorelos, and has ascertained satisfactorily that
General Urea has left that region and has probably re-
crossed the mountains, The communications are now
infested only by bands of robbers which very nume
rous in the country Our escorts can thus be reduced
much below the strength which 1t has hitherto been ne
learn that Col Doniphan is probably by this time at
parras, on his way from chihuahua TO Salto, having
anticipated my orders to march on the latter place
/ You will perceive from my orders that we have re-
ceived authentic intelligence OF the TALL OF Vera CRUZ
Our latest date from the city Of Mexico is March Sst
on which day General Santa Anna issued address or
appeal to the Mexican people do not ncose it, pre-
sumng that will reach you much sooner BY Vera Cruz
| or 1amplco.
1t is represented by person who has Just arrived from
San Luis that not than one,ha OF General Santa
Annals original force saved IN the retreat after the
battle of Buena Vista, and that his march is indicated by
the dead strewed along the road for go leagues Nearly
all the troops have been withdrawn from San Luis and
the adjacent positions.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major General U. S. A. Commanding
The ADJuTANT GENERAL of the Army Washington ID. G.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey, April 18th, 1917.
SIR: respectfully transmit herewith the minor reports
of the battle OF Buena VISTA with accompanying docu
al, of,
airy the road hence TO Camargo-all for file in your
office
also transmit, in several packages the proceedings of
court OF Inquiry called at Aqua Nueva, March 4h. at
the request OF Capt OBen, assistant quarermaster and
the proceedings OF three general mara of which
Major Now Brevet Lieut. COLI Craig, ordnance depart
ment, Col. Roane, Arkansas cavalry, and Lient Col
Weller, LIST Ohio regiment, presidents RESPECTIVELY
am Slr very respectfully your ohsds en- servant
Major General U, S, A. Commanding.
The ADJuTANT GENERAL OF the Army, Washington, DC.
HEADQUARTERS CAMP TAYLOR, Aqua NuEvA,
20 miles south OF Salhlo, Mexico,
March 4, 1917.
MAJOR: Agreeably to the orders from the commanding
general have the honor TO report that the ult
the troops at Aqua Nueva broke up their encampnent,
and, preceded by the supply and baggage an marched
for Buena Vista and Salto, except Col les regiment
of Arkansas volunteers which remained 10 look out for
the enemy reported to be advancing Aqua Nueva
great force and to guard pablo stores left at the
hacienda until transportation could be obtained TO carry
them TO Buena Vista.
On the arrival of the commanding general Encanta
da, he directed that Col Mckees regiment ID Kentucky
volunteers, and section of Capt Washiugons battery,
be kept at that place to give support to Col Yen case
he shonld be driven in by the enemy. Between Encan
tada and Buena VISTA called the pass, Col Hardns eg
ment LIST Illinois volunteers stationed The rest of
my command encanlped the hacienda of Buena
Vista. The major general commanding, accompanied by
Lieut. Col Mays squadron, (2nd dragoons,l Capt Sher
mans and Braggs batteries, sd artillery and the Mis-
sissippi regiment commanded by Col Davis proceeded
Sal
Minon with cavalry torce reported to be 5000 strong
AS many wagons could be obtained were ordered 10
turn forthwith to Aqua Nuevaand bring oil what
ed of the stores at that place
In the course of the evening" agreeaby TO the instruc
tons OF the commanding general transmitted from Sat
To- Col Marshal with his regiment and the Isl dragoons
ordered to Aqua Nueva TO reinforce Col Yell, who
was directed,n he should be attacked to destroy
svehng at that place he eoqa not BRING OIL and to re-
with the section OF artillery, was directed TO JON Col
Yell his retreat and the whole TO fall back TO Buena
Vista, should the enemy pursue them TO that place. Be
fore leaving Aqua Nueya Col Yels pickets Were drv
en- in by the advanced parties OF the Meyicans He then
retired with the endorsements, under the command OF
Col Marshall, after destroying small quantity of corn
yet remaining at the hacienda and leaving few wagons
(which had been prerpately abandoned by their team
sers
Col Hardins regiment before daylight on the morning
OF the 22d
At S o'clock a m, on the 2ad, received notice that
the Mexican army was at Aqua Nueva, and ordered
section OF Capt Washingons artillery TO move forward
and Join Col Hardin Shortly afterwards repaired TO
that position where it had been determined TO give battle
to the enemy. During the previous night, agreeably to
my orders Col Hardn's regiment had thrown up par
apet the height, on the left OF the road, and had
dug small ditch, and made parapet extending from the
road around the edge of the gully, the right of the
road They were then directed TO dig ditch and make
parapet across the road for the protection of Captain
Washingons artillery, leaving narrow passage next to
the hill which to be closed up by running into il two
wagons loaded with stone.
About o'clock our pckets, stationed the Encanta-
do, 81 miles distant, discovered the enems advancing
Word Immediately despatched to the commanding
general at Salhllo; and ordered the troops at Buena
Vista forthwith to be brought forward
Captain WashiEgton's battery posted across the
road protected lis left BY commanding ennence and
on its right BY deep gulies The I'd Kentucky infantry
commanded by Col. McKee, stationed on a hill i'm
medatey in OF Washngon's battery. The six com
panies OF lst Illinois regiment, commanded BY Cox Har
din, took post on the the LETT, and
panes under Lieut. Col Weatherford, occupied the
breastwork on the right of Washingtons battery The
I'd Illinois regiment stationed on the left of the Ken
lucky regiment. The Indiana brigade, commanded by
Brig Gen. Lane was posted ridge Immediately in
rear of the front line, and Capt STEMS squadron in
serve, in rear OF the Indiana brigade. The Kentucky
regiment of cavalry, under the command of Col Mar
shall and the Arkansas regiment under the command OF
Col Yell, were stationed to the left of the second line
wards the mountains. Shortly afterwards the rifle com
panies OF these two regiments dismouned and.
with the cavalry companies OF the Kentucky regiment
and battalion of riemen from the Indiana brigade, un-
der Maj German, under the command OF Col Marshall,
were ordered to take post the extreme left and at the
loot OF the mountains
These dispositions approved by the general
commanding, who had returned from SaItllo bring
inpyy Col MAYS suuanron Of