The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-21
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
GENERAL TAYL0R'S DETAILED REPORT
OF THE
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

Aqua Nueva, March g. lsl7
SIR have the homer to submit detailed report OF
the operations OF the forces under which
resulted in the engagement Of Buena Vista the repuse
Of the Mexican army and the re-occupaton this po
sition.
The information which reached the advance and
concentration of q heavy Mexican force In my front
had assumed such probable form as to induce special
examination far beyond the reach Of pckets TO rs
certain its correctness. small party of Texan spies
under Major McCulloch despatched the Hacienda of
Encarnacion 80 miles from this the route to San
Luis Potosi had reported cavalry force of unknown
strength at that place On the goth Of February strong
reconnaissance under Lieut. Col May was despatched to
the Hacienda Of Heconda, while Maj. McCulloch made
another examination of Encarnaciou The results Of
these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy was in
large force at Encarnacon under the orders of General
Santa Anna, and that he meditated forward movement
and attack upon position.
As the camp of Aqua Nueva could turned on either
Hank, and as the enemys force greatly superior
our own, particularly in the of cavalry deter
mined after much consideration, to take up "a position
about eleven miles in rear there await the attack
The army broke up its camp and marched at noon on
the 2is encamping at the new position little in front
OF the Hacienda Of Buena Vista. With a small force
proceeded to Satlo to make necessary arrange
ments for the defence Of the town. leaving Brigader
General Wool in the immediate command of the troops
Before those arrangements completed on the
morning Of the 22d advised that the enemy WAS in
sight, advancing Upon reaching the ground it was
found that his calvary advance was in our front having
marched from Encarnacon we have since learned at
IL o'clock on the day previous and driving in mounted
force lett Mt Augua Nueva to the removal pub
lie storos Our troops in position occupying line
of remarkable strength The road at this point
quite mpractcabe Tor artillery by system Of deep and
impossible gulleys while the left of rug
ged ridges and preciptous ravines extends back
wards the mountain which bounds the valley The fca-
lures OF the ground such nearly to paraze tho
artillery and cavalry Of the enemy while his infantry
could not derive all the advantage Of its numerical
pcrority In this position prepared to receive him
Captain Washingtons battery th artillery posted
to command the road while the LIST and I'd Illinois regi
ments under Colonies Hardin and Bisscll each
eight companies, Ito the latter of which was
tached Captain Corners company Of Texas voun-
OK oc-
cupied the crests of the ridges the lef and in
The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments Of cavalry COM
manded by Coils. Yell aud II Marshall, occupied tho
extreme left the base of the mountain, while
the Indiana brigade under Brgadier General Lane
composed othe I'd and Sd regiments under Coils Bowes
and Lanc the Mississippi rhemen under Col Davis the
squadronso the LIST and I'd dragons under Capt Sesn
Sherman and Bragg, Sd artillery held in reserve
At IL o'clock received from Gen1 Santa Anna sum-
to surrender Mt discretion which, with copy of
my reply, have already transmitted. Tho enemy still
forbore his attack evidently waiting for arrival Of
his columns which could be distinctly by
look they approached the field demonstration
made on his left caused dctach the I'd Kentucky
regiment and section Of artillery to right in which
position they bvouaoked for the night In the mean
time the Mexican light troops had engaged ours on the
extreme left composed Of parts Of the Kentucky and
Arkansas cavalry dsmounted and ride battalion from
the Indiana brigade under Major German, the whole
commanded by Col Marshalll and kept up sharp fire,
climbing the mountain side aud apparently endeavorng
battery had been detached to the LEFT and supported
by the I'd Indiana regiment. An occasional shell was
thrown by the enemy into this part of line but with
out effect The diminishing Of our light troops was kept
up with trifng loss part until dark when be-
came convinced that serious attack would be made
before the morning and returned with the Mississippi
regiment and squadron of I'd dragons to Saltlo The
troops bivouacked without fires and laid upon their
arms A body of cavalry. some 500 strong had been
visible all day in rear Of the town having entered the
valley through marrow east Of the city. This
vary, commanded by Gen. Minon, had evidently been
thrown In to break and harass retreat
and perhaps make some attempt against the town II
practicable The city was occupied by four excellent
companies Of Illinois volunteers under Major Warren Of
the list regiment. A feldwork which commanded most
OF the approaches was garrsoned by Capt Webster's
hovitscrs while the train and bsaaquarter camp
guarded by two companies of Mississippi rfemen under
Capt. Rogers, and Geld piece commanded by Captain
shower Sd artillery Having made these dispositions for
the protection of the rear, proceeded the morning
of the 23h buena Vista ordering forward all the other
available roops The action had commenced before my
During the evening and night Of the 22d, the enemy
had thrown body of light troops on the mountain side
with the purpose Of outhankng our left and was here
the action Of the 23d commenced Mt early hour
Our rinemen under Colonel Marshall, who had been re-
inforced BY three companies under Major trail I'd l
nois volunteers maintained their ground handsomely,
against greatly superior force holding themselves I'M
der cover and using their weapons with deadly eject
About o'clock strong demonstration was inade against
the centre Of our position heavy column moving along
the road This force dispersed by few rapid
and wel-drectcd shots from Captain Washingtons bat
terry. In the meantime the enemy was concentrating
large force Of infantry and cavalry under cover oil the
ridges with tho obvious intention OF forcing our eit
which posted extensive plateau. The "a
Indiana and I'd Illinois regiments formed this part Of our
line the former covering three pieces OF light artillery
under the orders Of captain O'rcn Brgader General
Lane being In the immediate command In order to bring
his men within effective range, Gen Lane ordered the
artillery and I'd Indiana regiment forward The artillery
advanced within muset range Of heavy body OF Next
infantry and served against 1t with great effect
but without being able to check its advance The imam
try ordered to its support had fallen back in disorder be-
ing exposed ms well the battery not only to severe hire
Of small arms from the front but also TO murderous
fire of grape and canister from Mexican battery
ON the left Captain OBrien found IL impossible TO
tain his position without support but only able to
withdraw two Of bis pieces, all the horses and
noneers Of the third piece being killed disabled The