Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-04-17
From the NJ o. Della. eth al.
Description Of the Battle of
Buena Vista.

We had the pleasure Of an inter-
view Yesterday, with Major Coffee. Of
the Army, who bro't over Gen. Tay-
Tors dispatches. This gallant officer
l. son Of the distinguished General
who fought so bravcly onthe plains of
IChalmctte, and in various other battles
by the side of the illustrious Jackson
1acted rs the aid Of Gen. Taylor, in the
bloody battle of Bnena Vista. We
are indebted to him for many particu-
lars of the hard fought battle.
Gen. Taylor had fallen in love, at
frs, sight, with the position at which
he finally made his stand-at Buena
Vista. His movement towars Aqua
Nueva was only ,use to decoy the
enemy into the field which he had Sc
llected as his battle ground. As soon
M'Culough's men, who were invalua-.
BILE as scouts, informed him of Santa
Annals approach to Aqua Nusva, Gen.
Taylor quietly broke up his camp, and
returned back to his first love Buena
Vista. This position was admirably
chosen. 1t was at the foot of noun
tain, or rather two mountains, between
which ran the road through a long val
Hey. On his right there was a deep
ravine, which protected the flank more
ffcctually than half dozen regiments
could have done. The left Of General
Taylor's line rested on the base Of a
mountain. The road in the centre
was cntrenched and defended by n
strong battery. In front. the ground
was broken into hills and
deep ravines- well adapted TO the
mode Of fighting suited 10 our volun.
ltcers, and by its peculiarities supply
ling the disadvantages Of great infe-
riority Of numbers.
On the 2l,t the enemy were deserted
approaching over the distant hills. At
their appearance the Volunteers raised
: n great shout, and gave three tremen-
, dous cheers. Their engineers and Of
J ficers were seen flying over the fold,
and dragging their cannon about to
} get them in position; but the nature Of
the ground did moi favor the underta-
: king, and it was late in the day be-
fore the big guns began to open.
The enemy had with them thirty
two cannon, mostly Of large calibre.--
} Their fire, though kept up very brisk
ly, and apparently well manned, did so
little execution in our ranks that it
was not considered necessary to re-
turn their fire. Our cannon were
therefore silent the whole Of the 2lst.
Eight or ten killed and wounded was
THE extent Of the casualties sustained
by our army on the 2lst. During the
day an officer approached our lincsb bear.
ing flag Of truce, and requested TO be
shown to Gen. Taylor. The brave
old man was sitting quietly on his old
white charger, with his leg over the
pommel Of the saddle, watching the
movements Of the enemy, when the
Mexican officer was presented. In a
very courteous and afisble manner the
officer stated that che had been sent
by his Excelencv Gen. Santa Anna,
to his Exccllency General Taylor, to
inquire 10 the most respectful manner,
what he lGen. Taylor was waiting
Ifor?.' From the silence Of Gen. Tay-
lor's batteries, and the quiet manner
in which he received Santa Anna's ter
rifle cannonsding, the Mexican suppos-
ed he was asking very pertinent ques-
ton, 10 which, however, old Rough
and Ready gave very pertinent re-
ply, that "he was only waiting tor
Santa Annato surrender" The Mex.
Eican returned hastily TO bis lines
This message proved to be ruse to
ascertain where Gen. Tsylor's posi-
ton, for after the return Of the Mexi-
can to his own ranks, the whole bat
itery seemed to open on General 'Tay-
Ior's position, and the bale few over
and about him like hail. Utterly in
different to the perils Of his situation,
there sat the Old chief, on his con-
spicuous white horse, peering through
his spy.glass at The long line OF Mexi-
can troop. that could BE- seen at a great
distance on the march. The pcrsua-
sion of his aids could not induce him
10 abandon his favorable point Of OBJ
scrvation, nor give up his old white
horse. To the observation OF his stsfi
tia, old Witty was rather too conspic-
nous charger for the commander, he
replied, '.tbat the old fellow had miss
ed tine fun at Monterey, on account Of
n sore foot, and ne was determined he
Shouts have Las share this time"