Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-09
From the N. o. Delta, 9th ult
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

We had the pleasure of an interview on Friday
with Major Coffee of the Army, who bro't over
Gen. Taylor's dispatches This gallant officer
a son of the distinguished General who fought SO
bravely on the Plains of Chalmette and in various
other battles, by the side of the ilustrous Jack
son-acted as the Aid of Gen. Taylor in the
bloody fight at Buena Vista. We are greatly in
debted to him for many particulars of this hard
fought battle.
Gen. Taylor had fallen in love, at first sight,
with the position at which he finally made his
stand-at Buena Vista. His movement towards
Aqua Nueva was merely ruse to decoy the enc
my into the field which he had selected for his
battles ground. AS soon as McCulloch's men, who
were invaluable as scouts, informed him of Santa
Annals approach to Aqua Nueva, Gen. Taylor
quietly broke up his camp, and fell back to his
irst-ove-Buena Vista. This position admi-
rably chosen. 1t was at the foot of mountain, or
rather of two mountains, between which ran the
road through narrow valley. On his right there
was deep ravine which protected that flank more
effecualIy than half dozen regiments could have
done. The left of Gen. Taylor's line rested on
the base of mountain. The road in the centre
was entrenched and defended by strong battery.
In front the ground was uneven-brOken into hills
and deep ravines-weIl adapted to the mode OF
fighting suited to Our volunteers, and by Its Pccu-
larities supplying the disadvantage of great In
fcriority of numbers
On the 2zd the enemy were deserted, approach
ing over the distant hills. At their appearance
the volunteers raised great shout and gave three
Tremendous cheers. Their engineers and officers
were seen flying over the field, and dragging their
cannon about to get them into position but the
nature of the ground did not favor the undertaking.
and it was late in the day before the big guns be-
gan to open.
The enemy had with them thirty-two cannon,
mostly of large calibre. Their fire. though kept
up very briskly, and apparently we'll manned, did
little execution in ranks that it was not con-
sdered necessary to return their fire. Our cannon
were, therefore, silent the whole of the 22d. Eight
or ten killed and wounded were the extent of the
| casualties sustained by our army on the 2lst.-
During the day an officer approached our lines
with flag of truce, and requested to be shown to
Gen. Taylor. The brave old man was sitting
quietly on his old white charger, with his leg over
the pommel of the saddle, watching the movements
of the enemy when the Mexican officer was pre-
sented. In very courteous and graceful manner
the officer stated that " he had been sent by his
ExceIIency Gen. Santa Anna to his Excellency
Gen. Taylor. to inquire, in the most respectful
manner, what he GGen. Taylerl was waiting for. J"
From the silence of Gen. Taylor's batteries, and
mas terrific cannonading, the Mexican supposed
he was asking very pertinent question, to which,
however, cd Rough and Ready gave the very per-
tinent reply that she was only waiting for Gen.
Santa Anna to surrender" The Mexican returned
hastily to his lines. This message proved to be a
ruse to ascertain where Gen. Taylor's position
was, for alter the return of the Mexican officer to
his own ranks the whole Mexican battery seemed
to open upon Gen. Tayl ors position, and the balls
flew over and about him like hail. Utterly indlf-
erent to the pers of his situation, there sat the
old chief on his conspicuous white horse, peerlng
through his spy glass at the long lines of Mexican
troops that could be seen at a great distance on
the march. The persuasion of his aids could not
induce him to abandon his favorable point for OBJ
seryation, nor to give up his old white horse. 10
the suggestion of his staff that old whitley was
rather too conspicuous charger for the comman-
der, he replied that the old fellow had missed
the fun at Monterey, on account OF sore loot
and he was determined he should have his share
this time"
At sunrise on the 23d February. the battle be-
gan in earnest. The Mexicans were drawn out
in immense numbers. The dark columns of in
fantry extended as far as the eye could REACH and
the cavalry seemed to cover the whole view with
their interminable lines. At intervals between the
infantry and cavalry, their big guns, strongly pro-
tected by large artillery force, kept up inces
SAINT canuonade against our lines. Their forces
were soon in motion. Our artillery was thrown
forward to meet them protected by the volunteers
Gen. Wool led the main body in person, and was
seen every where, rallying and encouraging the
volunteers, The two armies were soon engaged
in hot conflict. The broken nature of the ground
divided the forces. so that instead of one genera
engagement, the regiments were compelled IN
great measure to fight on their own hook. Gu