Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-05-05

ments, fell at this time while gallantly ,
heading their commands. q
No further attempt was made by the en-
envy to force our position, and the approach
Of night gave an opportunity to pay prop
or attention to the wounded, and also to re.
fresh the soldiers, who had been exhausted
bv incessant watchlhlness and combat. 4
Though the night was severely cold, the
troops were .compelled for the most to biy-
ouack without fires, expecting that NOR
ming would renew the conflict During
the night the wounded were removed to
Saltillo, and every preparation made to re-
ceive the enemy should he again attack
our position. Seven fresh companies were
drawn from the town, and Brigadier Cen
eral Marshall, who had made q forced
march from the Rinconada, with REIN
forcement Of Kentucky Cavalry and four
heavy guns under Captain Prentiss, lst ar
tillery, was near at hand, when it was dis.
covered that the enemy had abandoned his
position during the night. Our scouts soon
ascertained that he had fallen back upon
Aqua Nueya. The great disparity Of
numbers, and the exhaustion of our troops,
rendered it inexpedient and hazardous to
attempt pursuit. A staff officer was des-
patched 10 General Santa Anna to negoti-
ate 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 Saltllo, and render.
ed as comfortable as circumstances woulc
permit.
On the evening ofthe 26th, close re-
connoisanee was made on the enemy's po
sition, which was found to be occupied only
by small body of cavalry, the infantry
and artillery having retreated in the direc
ton Of San Luis Potosi. On the 9th, oul
troops resumed their former camp at Aqua
Nueva, the enemy's near guard evacuatine
the place as we approached, leaving con-
siderable number of wounded. 1t was my
purpose to beat up his quarter at Encarna-
cion early the next morning, but upon ex-
animation, the weak condition of the cav
airy horses rendered it unadvisable to at
tempt so long march without water, A
command was finally despatched to Encar.
nacion, on the 1st of March, under Col.
Be'knap. Some two hundred wounded,
and about sixty Mexican soldiers were
found there, the army having passed on in
the direction of Matehulu, with greatly re-
duced numbers, and suffering much from
hunger. The dead and dying were strew-
ed upon the road and crowded the buildings
Of the hacienda.
The American force engaged in the &c.
ton of Buena Vista is shown, by the ac-
companying field report, to have been 334
officers, and 4.425 men, exclusive Of the
small command left in and near Saltillo.
OF this number, two squadrons of cavalry,
and three batteries of light artillery, making
not more than 453 men, composed the only
forcs Of regular troops. The strength OF
the Mexican army is stated BY Gen. Santa
Anna in his summons, to be 10000; and
that estimate is confirmed by all the infor-
nation since obtained. Our loss is 267
killed, 446 wounded, and % missing. or
the numerous wounded many did not re-
quire removal to the hospital, and it is hop.
cd that q comparatively. small number
will be disabled. The Mexican loss in
killed and wounded may be fairly estima-
ted at 1900, and will probably reach 1900.
At least 500 of their killed were left upon
the field of battle We have no means Of
ascerlaining the number of deserters and
dispersed men from their ranks, but it is
known to be very great
Our loss has been especially severe in
officers, twenty.eight having been killed
upon the field. We have to lament the
death of Capt. George Lincoln, assistant
adjutant general, serving on the staff of
Gen. Wool, young officer of high bear
ing and approved gallantry, who fell early
in the action. No loss falls more heavily
on the army in the field than that of Coils.
Hardin and Mckee, and Lieut.. Col. Clay.
Possessing in a remarkable degree the con-
fdencs oftheir commands, and the last two
having enjoyed the advantage of militia
ry education, have looked particularly to
them for support in case we met the ene-
my. need not say that their zeal in en-.
gaging the enemy, and the cool and stead
fast courage with which they maintained
their positions during the day fully realized
my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more
sensibly their untimely loss.
perform grateful duty in bringing te
the notice Of the government the genera
good conduct Of the troops. Exposed To-
successive nights without fires to the sever
ity Of the weather, they we're ever promp
and cheerful in the discharge ofevery duty
and finally displayed conspicuous steadi
ness and galluntry in repulsing at grea
odds disciplined foe. While the brilian
success achieved by their arms release
me from the painful necessity of specifyln,
many eases Of bad conduct before the enc
my, feel an increased obligation to men
,tion particular corps and officers, who's
skill, eeelness, ard gallantry in trying stu
atoms and under continued and heav.
fire, seem to merit particular notice.
To Brigadier General Wool my obliga
items nre especially due. The high stat'
cf S;oo;r,I;oa opd ined ruotioa of cavarnI q