The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-01
General Taylor's Detailed Re-
port ofthe Battle ofBuena
Vista.
HEADQUARTERs, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Aqua NUEvA, March 8, lS47.

Vista.
HEADQUARTERs, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Aqua NUEvA, March 8, 1s47.
SIR:-l have the honor to submit detail
ed report ofthe operations ofthe forces IN
der my command which resulted in the en-
gagement ofBuena Vista, the repuIse of the
Mexican army, and the reoccupation of this
position.
The information which reached me of the
advance and concentration of II heavy MeXi-
can force in my front, had assumed such
probable form, as to induce special exami-
nation far beyond the reach of our pickets to
ascertain It's correctness. A small party of
TeXian spies, under Maj. McCulloch, dispatch
ed to the hacienda of Encarnacion 30 miles
from this, on the route TO San Luis Potosi,
had reported a cavalry force of unknown
strength at that place. On the Goth of Feb
ruary, Il strong reconnaissance under Lieut..
Col. May was dispatched to the hacienda of
lIeclionda, while Maj. McCuloch made an
other examination of Encarnacion. The re-
suit OF these expeditions left no doubt that the
enemy was in large force at Encarnacion I'M
der the orders Of Gen. Santa Anna, and that
he meditaed n forward movement aud attack
upon our position.
As the camp of Aqua Nueva could be turn
ed on either flank, and as the enenIy's force
was greatly superior 10 Our own, particularly
in the arm of cavalry, | determined after
much consideration, 20 take up n position a.
bout eleven miles in the rear,lnd there await
the attack. The army broke up its camp and
marched at noon on the 2lst, encampng at
the new positions little in front of the haci-
enda of Buena Vista, With small force
proceeded TO Saltillo 10 make some necessary
arrangements for the defence of the towII,
leaving Brig. Gen. Wool in the immediate
command of the troops.
Before those arrangements were completed
on the morning ofthe 22t, was advised that
the enemy WAS in sight, advancing. Upon
reaching the ground it was found that his
cavalry advance was in our front, having
murched from Encarnacion. as we have since
learned, at IL o'clock on the day previous.and
driving in IA mounted force left at Aqua Nue.
VA TO cover the removal ofpublic stores. Our
troops were in position occupying line of
remarkable strength. The road at this poinr
becomes narrow defiIc, the valley on lis
right being rendered quite inpracticable for
artillery by a system of deep and impossible
gllies, while on the left n succession of rug
ged ridges and prccipitous ravines extends
far back te.vard the mountain which bounds
the valley. The features Ofthe ground were
such as to paralyzc the artillery and cavalry
otthe enemy, while his infantry could not de-
rive all the advantage gifts numerical supe-
rlority. In This position We prepared TO re-
ceive him. Capt. Wnshington's battery 9th
artillery was posted to command the road,
while the LIST and I'd Illinois regiments under
Coils. Hardin and Bissell, each eight compa-
MES, ITO the latter of which was attached Capt.
Corners company of Texas volunteers and
the I'd Kentucky under Col. Mckee, occu-
pied the crests of the ridges on the left and
in rear. The Arkansas aud Kentucky regi-
nIpntS # puNnlry commanded h,, ToIs I'll
and II. Marshall, occupied the extreme left
near the base ofthc mountain, while the In
diana brigade, under Brig Gen. Lane, (con-
posed fthe 2tl and 3D. regiments under Coils
Bowles and Lane,) the Mississippi riflemen
under Col. Davis, the squadrons ofthe LIST and
I'd dragoous under Capt. Steen and Lieut.
Col. May. and the light batteries of Capts
Sherman and Bragg, 3D. artillery, were held
in reserve.
At II o'clock | received from Gen. Santa
Anna summons TO surrender at discretion
which with Il copy Of my rcply,l have already
transmitted The enemy still torbore his at
tack, evidently waiting for the arrival of his
rear columns which could be distinctly seen
by our loell- outs rs they approached the field.
demonstratlon made on his left caused mo
TO detach the 3D. Kentucky regiment and
section OF artillery 10 our right, i'll which po-
silion they bivouacEed for the night tn the
mean time the Mexican light troops had ell
gagged ours on the extreme left, composed
of parts ofthe Kentucky and Arkansas cav
airy dismounted. and rifle battalion from
the Indiana brigade under Major German, the
whole commanded by Colonel Marshall, )aud
kept up sharp fire, climbing the mountain
side, and apparently eit1eavoring TO gai.l our
flank. Three pieces GfCaptain Washington's
battery had been detached to the left, and
were supported by the I'd Indiana regiment
An occasional shell was thrown by the enemy
into this part ofour line. but without effect
The skirmishing of The light troops was
kept up with nitling loss on our part unit;
dark, when 1 became convinced that no seri-
Gus attack would be made before the morn
ing, and returned with the Mississippi repi-
ment and squadron of I'd Dragons to Saltillo.
The troops bivouacked without fires, and laid
upon their arms. A body Of cavalry, some
l,500 strong, had been visible all day in rear
ofthe town, having entered the valley through
a narrow pass east ot'the city. This cavalry,
commanded by Gen. Minon, had evidently
been thrown i'll our rear TO break up and
harass our retreat, and perhaps make some
attempt against the town ifpracticable. The
city was occupied by four excellent compa-
MES of Illinois volunteers under Mai War
rem of the LIST regiment. field-work, which
commanded most ofthe approaches, was gar
risoned by Capt. Webster's company, Isl ar
tillery, and armed with two "a pound how
tiers, while the train and headquarter camp