Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-04-17

DISPATCHES FROM GEN. TAYLOR. ,
"HEADQuARrERs ARMY or Occur ALTON, }
Camp on the field OF battle, Buena Vista,
D. ' 1'.'' Mexico, February "a, 1S47.
Sir: have the honor to report that, having
become assured on the goth inst. that the enemy
had assembled in very heavy force at Encarna
cion, thirty miles in front OF Aqua Nuevs, with
the evident design Of attacking my position, |
broke up my camp at the latter place on the 21st,
and took up strong line in front OF Buena
Vista, seven miles south Of Salilo. A cavalry
force left at Aqua Nueva for the purpose Of cover
ing the removal Of supplies, was driven in du.
ring the night, and on the morning Of the 22d,
the Mexican army appeared Immediately in front
Of our position. At II o'clock, A. NJ, q flag
was SENT bearing from Gen. Santa Anna sum.
mons Of unconditional surrender. To which
Immediately returned a negative reply. The
summons and my reply are herewith enclosed
The action was commenced late in the afternoon,
between the light troops on the left flank, but
was not seriously engaged until the morning of
the 23d. when the enemy made an effort to force
the left flank OF our position. An obstinate and
sanguinary conflict was maintained, with short
intervals, throughout the day, the result being
that the enemy was completely repulsed from
our lines. An attack Of cavalry upon the rancho
OF Buena Vista, and demonstration upon the
city Of Saltillo ITSELF were likewise handsomely
repelled. Early in the night, the enemy with.
drew from his camp and fell back upon Aqua
Nueva, distance of twelve miles.
Our own force engaged at all points in this &C.
ton fell somewhat short Of 5,400 men, while
that Of the enemy, from the statement of Gener.
al Santa Anna, may be estimated at 10000
0ur oh Ill e. e..
encomium on the good conduct OF our troops. In
more detailed official report, shall .have the
satisfaction Of bringing to the notice OF the Gov.
eminent the conspicuous gallantry of particular
officers and corps. | may be permitted here,
however, 10 acknowledge my great obligations to
Brig. Gen. Wool, the second in command, to
whom feel particularly indebted for his vaua.
bio services on this occasion
Our loss has been very severe, and will not
probably fall short Of 700 men. The Mexican
loss has been immense. | shall take the earli.
est opportunity Of forwarding correct list OF the
casualties Of the day. '."
l am, sir, very respectfully, your obi serv't,
z. TAYLOR.
Maj. General U. S. A. commanding.
The Adjt. Gen. Of the Army, Washington, D. C..
[Transaton]
Summons of Santa Anna to General Taylor.
You are summoned by twenty.four thousand
men, and cannot, in any human probability,
avoid suffering rout, and being cut to pieces
with your troops; but, as you deserve considera.
ton and particular esteem, | wish to save you
from catastrophe, and for that purpose give you
this notice, in order that you may surrender at
discretion, under the assurance that you will be
treated with the consideration belonging 10 the
Mexican character, to which end you will be
granted an hours time 10 make up you- mind, to
commence from the moment my flag OF truce ar
rives in your camp.
With this view. l assure you OF my particu.
lar consideration.
God and liberty. Camp at Encantada, Feb.
22d, ls47.
To Gen. z. TAYLoR, commanding the forces
OF the U. S.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OCCUPATION,
Near Buena Vista, Feb. 22d, 1847.
SIR: In reply TO your note of this date, sum.
moning me to surrender my forces at discretion,
beg leave 10 say that decline accedng to your
request
With high respect, am sir, your obi serv't.,
z TAYLOR.
Maj. Gen. United States Army, commanding
Senior Gen. d. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,
Commander in chief, La Encanlada.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, I
SAL1ILLo, Feb. rs, l847. {
Sir: | have respectfully to report that The main
Mexican force is yet at Aqua Nueva. Our troops
hold tie positions which they have so well deen.
ded, and are prepared 10 receive the enemy,
should he venture another attack.
An arrangement has been made with Gen
Santa Anna for an exchange Of prisoners, by
which we shall receive all, or nearly ALL of those
captured from US, at different times, besides the
few taken in the action OF the 23d. Our woun
ded, as we'll as those OF the Me1icans which
have fallen into our hands, have been removed tc
this place, and are rendered comfortable.
Our loss in the recent actions, so far ss ascer
tanned. amounts to 264 killed, $50 wounded, anc
26 missing. One company Of the Kentucky
cavalry is not included in this statement, its cas-
ualties not being yet reported. respectfully en-
close list OF the commissioned officers killed
and wounded, embracing many names OF TIT
highest merit.
2. TAYLOR,
The Adjt. Gen. OF the Army, Washington, d. G
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, I
Aqua Nueva, March /, ls47. :
Sir: have the honor to report that the troop
OF my command occupied their original camp a
this place on the 9Th Of February, the last o
the Mexican army leaving on the morning of tina
day in the direction Of San Luis 1t is ascertain