The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-07


Translation of letter from officer Of rank a. me
army, (leriiten IN Spanish) dated Camp Agud Nueva
Merico March 8, ls47.
My FRIEND: feel strong inclination to write you an
account of our last feat of against Mexco III lne
language of the country though not well versed IN IT.
But it Seems in character You will have heard the
news of our last battle with the Mexicansthe fresi
dent the generalinchief All this seems to me 10 pe
vet dream A week ago, our camp here was broken
up rather hastily for position nearer to Sallo (our ae
pot,) and more defensible; The reuograde movement
was made with hearts somewhat depressed Hwas pru-
dent and strictly military; but it was new thing to us
TO turn our backs the enemy Before, they had only
seen face to face. However, the troops had bind
confidence in their general and struck their tents at Aqua
Nueva in the hope that victory would yet be ours This
movement was made the 2ls February, On the next
day, Qhe 22d,l-the birth day of Washngton-Santa
Anna presented himself in our front. At sunset we
heard his bugles; he had many and the ar reso9nded
with his martial music. On this day. about noon Santa
Anna sent letter to our general IN winch ne sad that
position surrounded by 10000 Mexican troops,
and called upon him to surrender without delay The
general answered. that the number OF his forces was
matter of Indifference to him that he was there to hight,
$4,000 soldiers The ground at Buena Vista is formed
for battle -hed-partculary for few against many
The mountains are half league from the road, which
runs at the foot of three four spurs OF elevated plain
filling up the interval These spurs some two hundred
feet high and very steep On the other side OF the road
there are gueys, very deep and almost impossible t9
man horse. One of these gulleys-the deepest and
wdestand one of the spurs approach so near as almost
touch The space between is barely sufficient for the
road. Behind this strait is hill. Captain Washngtons
battery was stationed in this strait and regiment OF
volunteers held the adjoining heights and the hill IN the
The other batteries and the rest of the troops were
near the plain above. The sides OF the mountain
next the plain full of deep and long guleys On the
evening of the 22d the enemy threw into the midst o.
these guleys several regiments OF his tuslleers One
regiment of volunteers were sent there to oppose
him. The fire between the two parties was very brisk
until night though rather inefficient The enemy made
no movement during the night; but early next morning
both camps were under arms The enemy had two OBJ
| IA he onHn fha
once broken, assuring him the day; but after two
three assaults with most powerful columns, which Were
driven back by Washingtons terrible fire, he abandoned
that point Our right flank was protected by the deel
gulleys The preceding day we had sent cavalry and ar
lery there by low road, which we had made Tor TIT
purpose. This flank, probably for those reasons, wa
flank was the principal point OF attack and on success
there the enemy founded his hopes. The high plain wa
bordered both sides by deep gueys difficult to cavalry
and almost impossible to wheels These gulleys exen
from the foot of the mountains up to the road We ha
early in the morning three pieces OF artillery upon TIN
plain. supported by volunteers These pieces, deaehe
the evening BEFORE belonged to Washingtons battery
When the enemy appeared passing the guey on his side
this battery opened with good effect; but the supporting
infantry gave way, and we lost that part q the plan
The Mexican columns were quickly seen dehlIng roun
the base of the mountain towards our rear; ana before
was possible reform the line, they had three or lou
thousand cavalry and infantry IN the rear OF our lei
flank threatening the rancho by, where were pose
our wagons, provisions, and ammunition Our enori
directed to protect depot and to cut OH TN
force oil the enemy, mus
furious and ferocous assault made by their lancer
upon the rancho, and repulsed. Afterwards, the OBJ
ject of the enemy seemed to be 10 leave this posi-
) ton, and to join their friends. Our object was
prevent the junction For considerable time on
hopes were fatterng, but were disappointed by tw
obsaces-frst white flag from Santa Anna, whic
stopped our fire for while; and Immediately aite
lie opened battery of pieces of twice the callbre
ours, sweeping the whole plain. Our troops were drive
from the plain and we thought the battle lost But agai
our artillery stopped the torrent Eight pieces were ser
upon the plain anew, and in short time this place {
mourning and of blood remained in our possession In
enemy then collected his forces, leaving his deae
wounded and prisoners and returned to his camp packe
up his baggage, and reiterated at dark This we as
cerianed the next morning He remained one da
here, and then, in much haste and disorder, went 0
to San Luis We pursued him the second day, and yes
terday sent forward detachment far Encarnacor
twelve leagues distant Nothing there but wounded
Santa Anna is doubtless at San Luis, and his force
following as fast they STILL it seems to me
dream that should have vanqushed this powerful
army, enough to have eaten While fighting, rain an
hail fell frequently upon heads The thunder OF on
arms the cause of this without doubt Our canno
fired upwards of two thousand and fifty shots-enough
make good the theory OF Espy. Adeu.
very skillful 1t is said his horse kill under hi
when he led charge against the centre OF our position
We found the bodies of two colonies on the field, bot
killed by cannon shot. large portion of their dea
were killed in the way. Almost all our wounde
were shot by escopeas. Gen. Taylors coat was pierce
four times.