The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-20

By this Iovement my first plans and dispositions found
ed expected resistance, were rendered ~
] still did not despair of successful result ioi hau III
anticipation directed Gen Minon, with ms caVa3 pils
ade 200 strong occupy on the morning OF 'e zSa
the hacienda Of Buena Vista distant ~, march
or al least make diversion that would give ume ipl
the army to come up therefore continued my march
without losing more time than would allow the soulers
m drink water on the road The light brigade came wIhn
sight of the enemy's guard and ordered then 70
charge in conjunction with the hussar regiment nau
reason TO believe the enemy maxi ing precpaie re-
treat as they left several articles the road such as
carts forge implements, extra wheels, and other lhngs
which gathered while marching IN consequence o,
the different reports received ordered the cavalry 10
advance thought would be able to reach tnelr rear
guard and placed myself at the head of those troops
On arriving at place called Angostura iounu III, Inc
road from the pass OF Phones to Salhlo runs between
two chains of mountains, which form that pass and those
that hacienda and approach each other again at Angoslu
a where the road to the right AT this place mere
is succession OF ridges which run out toward tne ne
Of our route and at right angles with It, and between
them are ravnes which form the drains OF the mountains
the right They are more or less passa9 lt ou aud an VI
difficult The ene% position Was bsna cower sa bu
ravnes that impossible even ior nlah.Iy anu a
battery of four pieces being planted on the highest point
His bsaons Were formed h 0n inc IN o Dart Of the
road between hills; and TO my view their forces
appeared be about 5000 men, with twenty peces out
the prisoners taken from them report twenysx pieces,
and upwards of 5000 combatants:
reconnoitred the position and situation OF The enemy
and ordered the director of engineers Cen Don lgnaclo
de Mora Villamil to do the same Alter asceflahns
the force of the INVADER was necessary either 70 await
the infantry, to take position, or to night as mght seem
most advisable, AT this interval observed ina a. .he
enemy had neglected to occupy height on his eit ank
and without losing moment, ordered Gen Anpudia $
light brigade to take possession of and hold at every
cost AS the brigades came up i9mea ame, IN ts Two
being another emnence between our two positions the
first division of infantry under the command OF zen
directed that Gen Mora Vaml in conjunction with
the commanding general of artillery, Don Antonio 20
roma should find position for battery OF l6-Pounders
to be sustained by the regiment OF engineers Two other
batteries, Of 70 and s-pounders located by me;
The cavalry, commanded by Gen Juvera, were placed
on the right of and on our lett ilank ne re-
flank aforesaid was height which ordered the battalion
of Leon to occupy The general PARK was III 'he real
covered by the brigade OF Gen Anaaae, anu s
The making of these dispositions as may De SUPPOSE
occupied tme for the troops arrived at ther posi-
tons after march OF more than twenty Leagues u was
therefore, not an hour for combat, and the army lay on
its arms The enemy however, soon as he perceived
that we had occupied the height that thanked his lett
and our right detached two battalions to dlsodge us,
which led to warm engagement that lasted all the after
noon and till after dark, when he was epused with loss
of four hundred according to the report OF he prs
oners Ours much less we had the advantage OF
the ground a. -
had changed his previous dispositions and was rea
DIV to receive US observed but one difference winch
was that on his right and some distance from his posi-
ton he had formed two bodies of infantry with battery
Of four pieces, as if with the intent OF threatening our
left flank but at once believed this to be mere de-
monstraon for he would never have lett IN ms rear me
difficult ground which gave strength to that position be-
ing the web of impossible ravines before referred to- l.
therefore gave no attention to this disposition OF his
forces and resolved to move mine by the right With
this intention advanced the divisions OF Gen ombard-
nj and Gen Pacheco in that direction l ordered Gen
Don Manuel Mcheltorena to plant the battery OF eight
Founders on right flank to rake obquey the en-
emys line and to remain with the stan, OF which he was
with the light brigade should charge by left flank
the enenys right and that Gen Mora Villaml should
form column OF attack, composed OF the OF en-
gineers the 18th battalion, the flo de Mer,eo, and the
companies of Pueba and Iampico, commanded by Col
Don Santiago Blanco. At the same time directed Gen.
tweve-pounders in a more commanding position while
the third division remained in reserve, under Breyet Gen.
Don Jose Maria Ortega.
So soon as the enemy perceived movements, he
commenced the action at all points, attacked our troops
with nepdty, and maintained the conflict with great
vgor Our men received them with proper energy On
wing back and following up the assalants. AT this time
my horse disabled by grape shot, and was some
time before | could mount another. AS the enemy had
Welded ground, | ordered the cavalry to advance and
charge, Which was done with vgor. Suitable orders
had been sent to the generals of division and brigade,
among the rest to Gen. Don Angel Guzman but though
the officers and troops acted with great resolution it was
impossible to the difficulties of the ground
and after struggle which did thom honor they were
obliged TO fall back to their positions After various al
The battle, which commenced at seven in the morning,
was prolonged for many hours, loss every moment
accumuating Many officers and soldiers had already
been killed, and number OF commanders, and dlstin
gushed officers wounded, among whom were Gen. l.om
bardini Lieutenant Coones Brito, Gaoso, and others:
Among the slain Lieut. Colonies Asonos, Bera, and
other mertorious officers whose loss the country will
ever lament The enemy maintained his ground with
the utmost obstinacy nsomuch that of our troops
altered their attacks and many OF the raw recruits
dispersed This, however, ought to exalt the merit of
those whose intrepidty was never paalyzed and may
also be cited show how hetey contested the action
Things were in this situation when concluded to make
the final effort With this view ordered that battery
column OF attack then posted left flank where it
had object OF operation should be transferred to our
right and there be Joined by the of the llth
regiment the battalion of Leon and the reserves, all
under the command of Brevet General Don Francisco Pc
rez executed this in person. and afterwards sent for
Gen Mora Vllaml, and made him acquainted with my
final dispositions had already directed Generals Perez
and Pacheco each with his command, to be prepared for
an extreme struggle and had ordered the battery of
spounders advance and take the enemys line in flank
ed with animated vigor with fire so heavy and rapid
as to cause adiratOn but the Americans could not
tain themselves They driven back and overcome,
with the loss of three pieces OF cannon and as many
stands of colors sent two OF the latter to the govern
ment with nv last despatch The other, which then
omitted to notice. will be presented to the honorable
Congress OF the State of San Luis Poos as testimonial
of the amys gratitude for the patriotic services they had
rendered. and the generous sacrifices they had made for
its benefit We moreover captured travelling Jorge
Our cavalry, which bravely executed the order TO
charge reached the enemys rearmost positions; but,
owing to the nature o the ground and the fatigue OF the
men and horses did not think prudent to attempt dis
lodging them from those. The battle closed at six in the
evening our troops being then formed the ground
,,h;c ybc had occuped effort would