The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-10


From the Army.
Letters have just been received in this city from the
camps of Generals Taylor and Wool. The headquarters
of the latter were at Bueno Vista on the 2sth January
and of the former at Aqua Nueva, eighteen miles south
of Saltillo on the It'll February
The letters from General Woops camp, state that since
the 9th January, they had had the usual nightly alarms
of the approach of the enemy and that these reports
had all come from Saltllo. The enemy was said to be
undoubtedly at Incarnation, and perhaps small parties
had been within twelve leagees Of Salto 1t was also re-
ported that considerable number OF rancheros had en-
bodied themselves and not lar off, lying in wait Tor
any small reconnotrng parties that may come IN ther
way The report had reached the camp ION the night
of the 2sh9 that party consisting OF captain READY
and men, Kentucky volunteers, were captured
on the 9th by party Of rancheros, under the following
circumstances Captain Fl. was sent out on a recon-
NOTHING party by Lieutenant Colonel Field. When
about ten or fifteen miles from their station, they stopped
at a rancho, and asked for liquor to drink. 1t was
Immediately furnished, and in abundance The men
became intoxicated and in that condition left the rancho
They afterwards captured, and, reported, with
out resistance, or gun being fired
There idea entertained at the date of writing
this letter. that the town OF Satllo, the troops at
Bueno Vista were to be attacked. 1t supposed that
some decisive measures would be taken to check the
conorng parties of the enemy.
These letters further accounts OF the capture of Maj
bOrland. appears, upon an aiarm given Oh the
approach Of the Mexicans upon Satlo, General Wool
sent Major B., with fifty men, make reconnaissance
on the San Luis Poos road, and If practicable, to go
far as the Incarnation, about fyfve miles from Saltl
TO- for the purpose of ascertaning whether not the
envy had advanced to that place, and to return mmed
ately, and report the result of his observations He
left on the 18th nst and arrived at the Incarnation the
morning. but found troops there, they having
left the morning before Instead of returning ordered
the major took the liberty Of hang, and sent express
to COL Yell, for reinforcement COL T. on receiving
the majors application sent request to Gen. Wool for
permission to CO. with his whole reg meat, to join the
major, and to go far Solado The application
sent by General Wool Major General Butler who
fused it, but General Wool word, by the bearer, that
he would the general in few moments Shortly af
ter, General Wool sent the refusal to COL Yell An in
tevew then took place between the two generals when
Gen w. proposed immediate recall of Major Borland.
General Butler said was unnecessary to send the ORDER
he Immediately going to see Col. Yell, and, if ne
cessary, he would give the order
II appears that Major Borland was joined by Major
Gaines and Capt Clays companies, about thirty thirty
five strong who ordered by General Butler TO make
reconnaissance in the direction They decided at
TO continue their reconnaissance as far Soda
do The result of which the surprise and capture of
the whole party by about five hundred Mexican cavalry,
commanded by Gen. Minon. 1t is reported they were
surprised early in the morning, whilst asleep, with
pckets sentinels to guard against surprise. Col Yell
afterwards sent with part OF his regiment on the
Potos road ascertain the truth of the report with in
suctons to be cautious hut proceeding to the lncar
nacon, he found troops; yet he received information
of the approach of General Mnon with 1900 cavalry
which he retired TO the camp Every precauton was sub
sequeny taken to have active reconnaissance all
the roads by which the enemy could approach AS these
fortunate had been the direct result of want
of vigilance and dsobedence of ORDERS il is hoped that
they may provea lesson to our troops.
Gen Taylor had changed his headquarters from Mon
terey Aqua Nueva eighteen miles south of Saltlo,
where he arrived the 9Th instant bringing forward in
the first instance Lieut. Col Mays squadron of dragons,
two batteries (Shemans and Braggs) and the regimen,
of Mississippi rihemen. He subsequently Joined by
the Kentucky and Indiana regiments, and other troops
expected from Salto. 1t seemed to be understood
that General Taylor determined to hold both Salto
and Aqua Nueva in its front II supposed that the
scarcity OF water and supplies for long distance in front
would compel the enemy either to risk engagement
in the field, to hold himself aoof from troops.
No intelligence had been received from the interior
recent authentic than has been hitherto communicated
But the impression is that there considerable force
in 'front.' it supposed to be likely that any serious
demonstration would be made in that direction. The
population of Salo fast returning to the city, and
was hoped that under the judcious management of
Major Warren, discreet officer of the Illinois voun
teers who commands in the town, the people may
main quietly in their houses
Lists have been received in Washington OF the men be-
longing to the Kentucky mounted volunteers who had
been captured at Incarnation amounting TO 49, and also
those of the Arkansas regiment captured at the same place.
amounting also to 49,