Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-05-07


to charge and dispense them. The squadron
proceeded TO the point indicated, but could not
accomplish the object. being exposed TO Il hca-
Wy fire from a battery established to cover the
retreat of those corps. Willie the squadron
was detached on this service, larrc BODY of
the enemy was observed TO concentrate on our
extreme left. apparently with the view of
making decent upon the Hacienda OF Bucna
IA. where our train and baggage were depos-
tied. Lieutenant Col May was ordered 10 the
support of that point, with two pieces Of Can't
Shcrnars battery under Lieut.. REYNOLDS
In the mean time the scattered forces near the
hacienda. composed in part of Majors Trail and
German commands, had beer 10 some extent
organised under the advice OF Major Monroe.
chief of artillery. with the assistance of Major
Morrison, volunteer staff and were posted to
defend the position. Before our cavalry had
reached the hacienda, that Of the enemy had
made lis attack, having been handsomely met
| by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under
| Co.'s. Marshall and Ncll. The M,Nican col
/ uRn Immediately diviaud one puliua sweeping
| by the depot, where il received Il destructive fire
/ from the force which had collected there, and
/ then gaining the mountain opposite. under a
I fire from Lieut. Reynolds section the remain
| ing portion reoaininw the base of the mountain
on our let. In the charge at Bucna Vista, Col
Yell fell CALAMITY, at the head of his regiment.
We also lost Adjutant Vaughan, of the Ken
lucky cavalry, young officer of much promise
Lieut.. Col. Nay, who had been rcoincd by
the squadron OF the LIST Dragons. and by rur-
tons olthc Arkansas and Indiana troops, under
Lieut.. Col. Roarc and Major German. now
approached the base of the mountain, holding
in check the right flank of the enemy, upon
whose masses, crowded in the narrow gorgcs
and raviacs, Our artillery was doing fearful ex
/ ccution.
The position ofthat portion of the Mexican ar
my which had gained our rear was now vciy
critical, and it seemed doubtful whether it could
regain the main body. AT this momcn, receiv-
cd from Gen. Santa Anna message by Il staff
officer, desiring to know what wanted inn
mediate by despatched Brig. Gen. Wool to the
Mexican gcncral-in-cIicf, and sent orders to
cease iiroing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines
Gen. Wool could not cause the enemy TO cease
their fire, and accordingly returned without hav-
ing an interview. The extreme right of the en-
envy continued its retreat along the base of the
mountain, and finally, in spite Of all our efforts
effected 4 junction with the remainder OF thc
army.
/ During the day the cavalry Of Gen. Minon
had ascenied the elevated plain above SatiIlo.
and occupied the road from the city to the field
of battle, where they intercepted several of our
men. Approaching the town, they were fired
upon by Capt Webster from the redDubt occu-
pied by his company, and then moved off to-
wards the eastern side of the valley, and obi
qucly towards !}uena Vista. Al this time. Capt
Shower moved rapidly forward with his piece
supported by miscellaneous command ofmoun-
ted volunteers, and fired several shots at the
cavalry with great effect. They were driven
into the ravnes which lead to the lower valley,
closely pursued by Capt Shower, who WAS fur
Their supported by piece of Capt Webstcrs
battery, under Lieut.. Donaldson, which had adj
,..nrei f,,pu thu ..,,vurt ,u,.r,.,oI hy Capt.
| Whceler's company Illinois volunteers. The
enemy made one or Two efforts to charge the ar
til!ery, but was finally driven back I'M conius-
cd mass, and did not again appear upon the
plain.
In the meantime the firing had partially ceased
upon this principal field. The enemy seemed
to coniine his efforts 10 the protection of his ar
tilIery, and had left the plateau for a moment,
when was recalled thithcr by very heavy
muskctry fire. On rcganinr that position dis
covered that our infantry Cnos and ID Ken
tucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of
the cncmy-eyidenly his rescrvcs-arl that
they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The
moment was most critical. Cni-. B'Erier, with
two pieces had sustained this heavy charge to
guns ON the iie!d-his infantry support b'iug en-
lirely routed Captain Bragg. who had Just ar
rived from the left, was ordered at once into bat
terry. Without any infantry 10 support hmand
at the imminent risk Of losing his gaus, this of
hcef came rapidly into action, the Mexican line
being bat ioW yards from the mulzlc of hi
pieces. The first discharge Of canister caused
the enemy 10 hesitate. the second and third drove
him back in disorder, and saved the day. The
"a kentucky regiment, which had advanced
beyond supporting distance in this affair, wa
driven back and closely pressed by thc enemy
cavalry. Taking rayine, which led in the
direction OF Capt. Naalington'S battery. their
pursuer5 became exposed TO his fire, which soon
checked and drove them back with loss. In tie
meantime, the rest of our artillery had token
position on tic plateau, covered by the hlSSis
supp ana 81 Indiana regiments, the former OF
which Lad reached the ground in time 80 pour Il
fire into the right Hank Of the enemy. aud thus
contribute TO his rcpulse. In this last conflict
we had the misfortune 10 sustain Il very heavy
loss. Colonel Hardin, 1t Illinois, and Colonel
Mckee, aGd Lieutenant Colonel Clay, FL Ken
lucky regiments, fell at this time, while gallant
" heading their commands.
No further attempt was made by The cncmy to
force our position, and the approach of night
gave an opportunity 10 pay proper attention to
inc wounded, ana also 10 refresh inc soldiers
vino had been exhausted by HccsSaut watchtul-
re-1 and combat. Thopnh the NIGHT was Sc
yoieIy cold, the troops We're compelled for the
most part to bivOuack without fires, expecting
that morning would renew the conflict. During
the night the wounded We're removed TO Saltillo,
and every preparation made to receive the enemy
should he again attack our position. Seven fresh
companies were drawn from the town, ana Bri-
gaiicr General Marshall, who had made a for
ccd march from the Rincon1da, with reinforce
ment of Kentucky cavalry and four heavy guns.
under Captain PrcntisS, lst artillery. was near
at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy
had abandoned his position during the night.
Gar scouts soon asccrtaincd that he had fallen
blck upon Aqua Nuova. The great disparity
of numbers, aud the exhaustion OF our troops
rendered it ineNpcdicnt and hazardous to attempt
pursuit. \ stllr officer was despatched to Gcn-
oral Sauta Anna, to negotiate an exchange of
prisoners. which was satisfactorily completed on
the following day Oar own dead were collect
ed and buried, and the Mexican wounded, of
which a large number had been left upon the
field, were removed to Saltio, and rendered as
comfortable as circumstances would permit.
On the evening OF the 10th, a close rccor-
noissncc was made OF the cncny's position,
which WAS found to be occupied only hy a small
bod, of ,avnlrv the infantry and artillery hay