The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-19

About O'Clock strong demonstration was made against
the centre of our position heavy column moving along
the road This force dispersed by a few rapid
and well dected shots from Captain Washngtons bait
terry In the meantime the enemy concentrating a
large force of infantry and cavalry under cover OF the
ridges, with the obvious intention OF forcing our left
which posted an extensive plateau The I'd
Indiana and I'd Illinois regiments formed this part OF our
line the former covering three pieces of light artillery,
under the orders OF Captain OBrien-Bfgader General
Lane being in the immediate command In order to bring
his within effective range, General Lane ordered the
artillery and I'd lndisna regiment forward The artillery
advanced within musket range OF heavy body OF MeX-
can infantry, and served against with great effect,
but without being able to check It's advance, The inan-
try ordered 10 its support had fallen back disorder being
exposed well the battery, not only TO severe FIRE
of small arms from the front, but also to murderous
cross FIRE OF grape and canister from Mexican battery
tain his position without support but was only able 70
withdraw two of his pieces, all the horses and can
noneers of the third piece being killed disabled The
I'd Indiana regiment which had fallen back as stated,
could be rallied and took further part in the
ton, except handful OF men, who under It's gallant
Colonel Bowles Joined the Mississippi regiment and did
good service, and those fugves who at later period in
the day. assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena
Vista This portion OF our line having given way, and
the enemy appearing In overwhelming force against our
left flank the light troops which had rendered such good
service on the mountain, were compelled TO withdraw,
which they did for the most part IN good order Many
Buena Vista, TO the defence OF which they afterwards
contributed.
Colonel Bsse's regiment ed Ilinos,) which had
been Joined BY section of Captain Shemans battery,
had become completely outanked and was compelled to
fall back, being entirely unsupported The enemy was
now pouring of infantry and cavalry along the
base of the mountain our left and was gaming our
rear in great force AT this moment | arrived upon the
field The Mississippi regiment had been directed 10 the
left before reaching the position and Immediately came
into action against the Mexican infantry which had
turned our flank The 2d Kentucky regiment and
section Of artillery under Captain Bragg had
previously been ordered from the right 10 rein
force our left and arrived at a most opponune mo-
ment. That regiment, and portion OF the ST Illinois
under Col Hardin, galantlS drove the enemy and recov
cred portion of the ground we had lost The batteries
OF Captains Sherman and Bragg In position on the
plateau, and did much execution, not only IN 'front.' but
particularly upon the which had gained our rear
Discovering that the enemy heavily pressing upon
the Mississippi regiment, the third lnlana regiment
under Col Lane, despatched 10 strengthen that part
first line of battle. At the same time Lieut. kiburn,
with piece of Capt Bragss battery directed to sup
port the infantry there engaged The acton was for
long time warmly sustained at that pont-the enemy
making several efforts both with infantry and cavalry
against line, and being always repused with hea-
Wy loss had placed all the regular cavalry and Capt
Pixies squadron of Arkansas horse under the orders OF
Brevet Lieut. Col May with directions 10 hold In check
the enemys column still advancing TO the along the
base of The mountain, which done in conjunction
with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under Coils
Marshall and Yell In the meantime our LETT, which
still strongly threatened by superior forces was further
strengthened by the detachment of Capt Bagg's and
portion OF Capt Shemans batteries 10 that quarter The
concentration of artillery fire upon the masses OF the enc
my along the base of the mountain, and the determined
4
had created confusion in their ranks, and some OF the
corps attempted effect retreat upon their main line of
Rucker, ordered up the deep ravne which these
retreaing corps endeavoring TO order
charge and dsperse them. The squadron proceeded
the point indicated but could accomplish the object
being exposed 20 heavy fire from battery established
to cover the retreat OF those corps While the squadron
detached this service large body of the enemy
was observed to concentrate our extreme left, APP
parenty with the view of making descent upon the ha
cienda of Buena Vista, where train and baggage
deposited Lieut. Col May was ordered 10 the sup
port OF that point, with pieces OF Capt Saemans
battery under Lieut.. Reynolds. In the meantime the
scattered forces the hacienda composed in part of
Majors Trail and Gounan's commands, had been 10
extent organized under the advice of Major Munroe,
chief of artillery with the assistance OF Major Morri-
son. volunteer staff and were posted to defend the posi-
ton Before cavalry had reached the hacienda that
OF the enemy had made It's attack having been hand
soey by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under
Coils. Marshall and Yell. The Mexican column mmedi-
aely divided one portion sweeping by the depot where
received destructive fire from the force which had collect
ed there, and then gaining the mountain opposite, under
fire from Lieut. Reynolds section the remaining portion
regaining the base OF the mountain our left In the
charge at Buena Vista, Col Yell fell CALAMITY at the
head OF his regiments we also lost Adj Vaughan, OF the
Kentucky cavalry young officer of much promise.
Lieut. Col May, who had been rejoned by the squadron
of the Isl dragons and by portions OF the Arkansas and In
diana troops under Lieut. Col. Roane ana Maj German,
now approached the base of the mountain holding in
check the right flank of the enemy upon whose masses
crowded in the gorges and ravines artillery
was doing fearful execution.
which had gained our rear was now very critical and il
seemed doubtful whether IT could regain the main body
Al this moment received from Gen. Santa Anna
sage by staff officer desiring to know what wanted?
| Immediately despatched Brig. Gen Wool the Mex-
can general-lnchlef, and sent orders tn firing
Upon reaching the Mexican lines. Gen Wool could not
cause the enemy to their fire, and accordingly
turned without having interview The extreme right
of the enemy continued its retreat along the base OF the
mountain, and finally, in spite OF all efforts effected
junction with the remainder OF the army
During the day, the cavalry of Gen Nlnon had ascend
ed the elevated plain above Salto, and occupied the
road from the city the field of battle where they inter-
were fired upon by Capt Webster from the redoubt
cupied by his company and then moved off towards the
eastern side of the valley, and oblquey towards Buena
Vista At this time, Capt Shower moved rapidly forward
with his piece supported by miscellaneous command OF
mounted volunteers and fired several shots the cavalry
which lead to the lower valley, closely pursued by Capt
Shower, who further supported by piece OF Capt
Websers battery, under Lieut. Donaldson, which had
advanced from the redoub supported by Capt Wheeers
company Illinois volunteers. The enemy made one or
two efforts TO charge the artillery, but finally driven
back in confused mass and did not again appear upon
the plain.
In the meantime, the firing had partially ceased upon
the principal field. The enemy seemed to conhne his eff
forts to the protection of his artillery and had left the
plateau for moment when recalled hither by
very heavy musketry fire On regainng that position dis
covered that infantry illinois and ID kentucky had
engaged greatly superior force of the enemyevideny
his reserves-and that they had been overwhelmed by
numbers. The moment most critical Capt OBrien,
with two pieces had sustained this heavy charge to the
last and finally Obliged to leave his guns on the
feldhis infantry support being entirely routed Cap
tain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left
dered at once into battery. Without any infantry TO
Al.