Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-29

the right flank Of the enemy, aud thus contribute
10 bis repulse. In this last conflict had the mis-
fortune TO sustain avery heavy loss. Col. Hardin.
Al Illinois, and Col Mckee and Lieut.. Col. Clay,
ID Kentucky regiments, fell at this time while gall
|iautly leading their commands. ~
No further attempt made by she enemy 10
furce our position, aud the approach Of night gave
an opportunity to pay proper altepiicn 10 The
uonndfh aud also 10 refresh the soldiers, who had
been exhausted by incessant watchluIncss aud com
bat Though the night was severely cold. the
troops we're compelled for the mdsi to- bvouac
without fires. expecting that mornine would tcnow
the conflict. During the night the Wounded We're
removed to SallIllo, aud every preparation made to
receive the enemy, should he again attack our po
sftion Seven fresh companies were drawn from
the town. aud .Brigadier General Marshall, who
made forced march from the Rineonada. with al
reinforcement OF Kentucky cavalry and four heavy
guns, under Capt. Preniss, LIST artillery, was near
az hand when il discovered that the euelny had
abandoned his position during the night. Our
scouts soon ascerisned that they had fallen back
upon Aqua NuevS. The great disparity Of nun.
bers, and the exhaustion Of our troops rendered it
incxpedient and hazardous TO attempt pursuit.
A staff officer was despatched TO General Santa
Anna to negotiate an exchange Of prisoners, which
was satisfactorily completed on the following day.
Our own dead were collected and buried, and the
Mexican wounded. Of which large number had
been left upon the field were removed to Saltillo.
and rendered as comfortable as circumstances
would permit
On the evening OF The 2Glh close reeonnos.
sance was made Of the enemy's position, which
was found to be occupied only by small body Of
cavalry, The infantry and artillery having retrea,ed
IN the Direction OF San Luis Poiosi. On tile 9Th,
our troops resumed their former camp at Aqua No.
eva. the enemy's rear guard esacuatng the place
as we approached. leaving considerable number
Of wounded. Il was my purpose 10 beat up bis
quarters at EneMnacion early the next morning.
but upon examination. the weak condition OF the
cavalry horses rendered il unadvisable to attempt
90 long march without water. command was
finally despatched to Encarnaeion, on the LIST OF
March, under Colonel BeIknsp. Some two hun
bred wounded and about sixty Mexican soldiers
were found there, the army having passed on 10.
the dir ciion Of Ma,ehoala. with greatly reduced
numbers, aud suffering much from hunger. The
dead aud dying were Eifewed upon the road and
crowded The buildings OF the hacienda.
The American force engaged in the action OF
Bnena Vista is shown. by the accompanying field
report. to hare been 334 officers and 4, i25 men,
exclusive Of the small command left in and near
Sallillo, or this number, two squadrons Of csvai-
~, and three batteries OF light artillery, making
not more than 403 men. composed The only force
OF regular troops. The strength OF the Mexican
army is stated by Gen. Santa Anna, in his sum
mons. 10 be 10000; and that estimate is confirmed
| by all the Information siaee obtained Our loss IL
\ 267 killed. 456 wounded, and % missing. or the
numerous wounded. many did not require removal
to the hospital, and il is hoped that comparatively
small number will be permanently disabled The
Mexican loss in killed and wounded may be fairly
estimated Al |, 500, and will ptobabI, reach 9, 900
Al least 500 OF their killed were left upon the field
OF battle We have means OF aseerisining the
number of deserters aud dispersed men in their
ranks. but ii is known TO be very great.
Our loss has been especially severe in officers
twenty eight having been killed upon the field
We have 10 lament the death Of Capt. George Lin
coin, Assistant Adjuant General serving on the
slaf Of Gen wool-a young officer OF high bear
ing and approved gallaniry. who fell early in the
action No loss falls more heavily upon the army
in The Geld than that of Coils. Hardin and Mckee,
aud Lieut., Col Clay. Possessing in a remarkable
degree the confidence OF their commands, and the
last two having enjoyed the advantages OF a militia
~ education, had looked particularly TO them for
support in case We met the enemy. Ineed not say
that the zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool
aud sleadfast courage with which they maintained
their positions during the day fully realized my
hopes, aud caused to leel YET sensibly their
untimely loss.
Iperiorm grateful duty in bringing TO The no
tice Of the government the general good conduct
OF the troops. Exposed for successive nights with
out fires 10 the severity OF the weather they were
ever prompt and cheerful in the discharge Of every
duty, aud finally displayed conspicuous sieadIuess
and gaaniry in repulsing al great odds dscipIn-
ed foe While the brilliant success achieved by
their arms releases me from the painful necessity OF
specifying many cases Of bad conduct before the
enemy. feel an increased obligation 10 mention
particular corps and officers, whose skill, cooIness
and galantry, in trying situations, and under a
continued and heavy fire, seem to merit particular
notice
To Brigadier General Wool my obligations are
especially due. The high state OF discipline and
instruction OF several of the volunteer regiments
WIS attained under his command, aud TO his vigi-
lance and arduous services before the action, and
his gallaniry and activity the field. large share
Of our. success may justly be attributed. Daring
most Of the engagement he was in immediate com
mand OF the troops thrown back on oor left flank
! beg leave TO recommend him 10 the favorable no
lice Of the government. Brigader General Lane
Slightly wounded) active and jealous through
out the day. and displayed great GOODNESS aud gal
lantry before the enemy.
The services Of the light artillery. always con-
spicuous, we're more than usually Distinguished
Moving rapidly over the toughest ground. il was al
ways IN action at The right place and the right time
masses of the euemy.
While recommend TO patcular favor the GAL
liant conduct and valuable services Of Major Nun.
roe, chief Of artillery. and Captains Washington,
Alb artillery and Sherman and bragg. 3D. artillery,
commanding batteries, deem il no more than Just
10 mention all the subaern officers they were
nearly all detached a. different times, and IN every
situation exhibited conspicuous skill aud gallantry
| Canfain a. Rrien Iiaiuenanla Rrenf Whifina and