New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-05-07
Buena Vista.

The following letter which We copy from the
National InteLigencer. appeared originally in an
Arkansas paper and was written by psrticipa-
tor in the bloody action Of Buena Vista
Much surprise has been expressed az the trifing
losses our forces have met in all the battles with
the Mexicans, compared with the losses sustained
by the enemy. One explanation this letter affords
The Mexicans tumbled on every side. saw
them struck down with sabres and trsmpled be.
meath or horses feet / sar them beg rlA uplift-
Cd haads for mercy, but il was remembered that
those very hands had driven their lances into the
hearts Of our countrynen. And not only in the
heat and fury Of battle was no quarter given, but
even in their fight the Mexcans were moved
down by hundreds But such is the privilege Of
war-a privilege sanctioned by custom, and even
euogised by persons by nature not OF cruel tenn
permanent
BuESA VISTA, Feb. . IS47.
The position assigned our regiment was at the
north base of the mountain The battle upon the highs
had commenced with the break OF day-the enemy above
and the volunteers lower down. Bsyonets and gurs
qered among the rocks snd shruooeries As shower
Of silver was falling The enemys number increased
an the whole mountain was 10 roar and covered with
smoke. They swept down in thousands, and the few
defenders gave way and took position lower down
r.
coming Immediately 10 our position Oue of the Indiana
regiments ordered 20 our support out alter stand
ing heavy FIRE for time it gave way and lett us alone
We were ordered 70 tall back and take position across
deep ravine. We did SO, but the result was that We
had 10 abandon talso for we were threatened with
charge from the sncers in the midst oil sshower OF balls
from cannon and muskets. As soon as we commenced
falling back the lsncers did make cnarse and we re
pulsed them and drove them BACK 10 the Mexican IN
iantry.
Here Col Yell gave an unfortunate order. he dis
mounted billiards. squadron 10 hgnt IN raVine M ala
could come from the right nank Of our army The Mex
lean infantry advancing and pouring shower OF
bullets down the raylne. We were near being taken
prisoners. Alter firing round or so which checked
the advance OF the enemy we started for our horses
They all killed or gone but two or three some OF
us regsined ours and joined the regiment
We then took stand about two hundred yards from
the rancho Of the Buena Vista. The Kentucky Cavalry
under Col Marshall forgot 10 mention, had shared the
day with bad Il had been. When the stand at the
rancho made both regiments could not have count
ed than three hundred and fifty men the rest had
all been scattered by horses getting away, throwing
them or being killed under them.
The lancers about two thousand strong bore down
upon US At about one hundred yards distance We lev
eed and fired upon them. They sprung AZ the fire and
We charged them They separated in two divisions,
on our LETT aud the other our right. We pressed
those the left and the work OF death was raging II
balls and lsnces sabres, smoke snd dust shouting gua
ing and dying compose glory We were IN the midst oil
it, Not word was spoken-it was all fighting. Here
Col. Yell fell and Capt Porter-snd poor John Pelham,
The beloved of our Regiment
The Mexicans tumbled on every side ssw them
struck down with sabres aud trampled beneath our
horses feet ] saw them beg with uplited hands Tor
mercy. but 1t remembered that those very hands
had driven their Ances into the hearts OF our country
men They scattered part hed back 10 the MeXi-
can infantry the other got across deep guley. and
through the gap OF a mountain ON the right and were
seen no that day piece Of ordnance gave them
a few farewell balls As they went
During this time the other volunteers were IN the
midst Of the ght the right aank When we returned
10 the field the OF the ancers the aspect OF
things frightened in favor. The MeNicsns charged
up within sixty yards of FOUNDER aud the Mississippi
regiment in another moment fire burst forth from our
men and the enemy fell Ike wheat before gust Of
wind.
THE Illinois volunteers were In the midst Of glory
Never did hear such Of guns. lady may
sweep her fingers along the pianos keys for the mus
and strike the bass strings every second tor the
AND Il seems 10 me an idea OF the nrng might
be- conveyed.
Col Hardin was killed In a charge. He was the
bravest Of the brave Col Clay and several other gal
liant officers also fell
The fight lasted ull night. IL had not been OF an
hours duration or OF Two hours but from sun 10 sun II
had ragged and during every moment Of that time bull
lets cannon bss bombs and bsyonets hsd been acting
In their death work on every side Hiitorans VIII re-
cord blOodier and more glorious victory than Monte
rey--than any, perhaps, this continent has ever wit
messed.
The loss of our regiment is sixteen killed. good
many wounded. but lew Of them mOrtally. There are
some who will remember Buena Vista with regret Tor
their own cOwardy conduct lew from all our com
panes hen tel back from our position at the osse
Of the mountain imagined that the battle was lost and
ran of and took shelter 10 Saluo, telling those there
who were to defend the city most appalling tales OF san
Ia Annas victory When they heard the tide had turn.
ed they came back Ghe most Of them and were loud
In their accounts OF their yaOr Men fed to Sslt
10 that we thought brave, and men fought that We
thought wavering.
Col Yell was fearless 10 recklessness Capt Porter
was not abe 10 draw bis sword In action, having sui
fered some time with rheumatism. Il does me good 10
tell the world Of many Of regiment who fought al
Buena Vista There are Desha and the two Searcys
brothers of Capt Porter's Company. who stood and
fought In danger wherever it offered, not only in one
attack or two long the battle lasted they were
ia the ied And do justice 10 Col Roane, whom
hate az q politician much ~ any one on eartn. lie
was with US encouraging and managing our affairs with
skill thought he did not possess lie shone upon ms
battlefield In better light than ever saw him. lie
seemed 10 night for glory, and combined II with duty
ne stood calm and cheered the men when two rnemen
were shot down on either side OF him and when u
came 10 the charge at the rancho, his sabre fell about
Ike streak of lightning the MeXicans, and their
blood il upon il now He led and did not choose
safety side for himself and there is not OF us that
does not feel that ne honOred state by his gallant
bearing az Buens Vista.
An the officers Of our regiment with one or two ex-
cepton. passed the fiery ordeal that is all that GIT
any Pixies SQUADRON was attached 10 Col Mays drs-
goous and did not tire a gun during the day. Those
whom IL il said faered and ran Oh 10 town belonged
10 the ride companies IL is thought that the names OF
all those that fled 10 salulo will be published IN the
Wasbing,on uapers W. QUESENBURN"