The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-03-23
FROM TEE ARMY.
loFF1cIAL.l

city from the camps OF Generals TAYLOR
and Wool. The headquarters Of the lat
ter were at Bueno Vista on the Goth Janu-
airy, and of the former at Aqua Nueya,
eighteen miles south of Saltillo, on the
9Th February.
The letters from General Wool's camp
state that since the 9th of January they
had the usual nightly alarms of the ap-
preach of the enemy. and that these re-
ports had all come from Sallillo. The
enemy was said to be undoubtedly at In
carnacion, and perhaps small parties had
been within twelve leagues of Saltillo.-
1t was also reported that a considerable
number of rancheros had embodied them
selves and were not far of, lying in wait
for any small accommodating parties that
may come in their way. The report had
reached the camp ton the night of the
2Sth) that a party, consisting Of Captain
Heady and seventeen men, Kentucky vol
unteers, were captured on the 9th by a
party of rancheros, under the following
circumstances Capt. FL. was sent out on
a accommodating party by Lieut.. Col.
Field. When about ten or fifteen miles
from their station they stopped at a ram
cho, and asked for liquor to drink. 1t
was Immediately furnished, and in album
dance. The men became intoxicated,
and in that condition left the rancho
They were afterwards captured, and, as
reported, withou. resistance or a gun be-
ing fired.
There was no idea entertained at the
date Of writing this letter that the Town of
S@alslllo, or the troops at Bueno Vista
were to be attacked. 1t was supposed
that some decisive measures would be Ia
ken to check the accommodating parties Of
the enemy.
These letters give further accounts Of
the capture Of Major Borland. 1t APP
pears, upon an alarm being given of the
approach OF the Mexicans upon Saltillo.
Gen. Wool sent Major b. with fifty men
to make a reconnaissance on the San Luis
Potosi road, and. if practicable, 10 go as
far as the Incarnation, about ffty-fve
miles from Saltillo, for the purpose of as
certaining whether or not the enemy had
advanced TO that place, and to report the
result. of his observations. He left on
the 18th instant, and arrived at the Incar-
nscion the next morning, but found no
troops there. they having left the morning
before. Instead of returning as ordered,
the major took the liberty Of hating and
sent an express to Col. Yell for a REIN
ioreement. Col. Y. on receiving the ma
jor's application sent a request 10 Gen.
Wool for permission 10 go with his whole
regiment 10 join the major and to 60 as
far as Solado. The application was sent
by General Wool to Major General But
Ter, who refused it, but sent General Wool
word by the bearer that he would see the
general in a few moments. Shortly after
Gen. Wool sent the refusal to Col. Yell.
An interview then took place between the
two generals, when Gen. w. proposed an
immediate recall of Major Borland.-
Gen. Butler said it was unnecessary to
send the order, as he was Immediately
going 10 see Col. Yell. and, if necessary,
be would give the order.
Il appears that Major BorIand was
Joined by Major Gaines and Capt. Clay's
companies, about thirty or thirty-five
strong, who were ordered by General
Butler to make a reconnaissance in the
same direction. They decided at once to
continue their reconnaissance as far az
Solado-the result of which was the SUR
Prise and capture of the whole party by
about FIVE hundred Mexican cavalry, COM
manded by General Minion. 1t is repor-
ted that they were surprised early in the
morning, whilst asleep, with no pickets or
sentinels TO guard against surprise. Col.
Yell was afterwards sent with a part Of
his regiment on the Potosi road, to ascer-
tain the truth of the report, with instruc-
tons 10 be cautious, but On proceeding to
the Incarnation, he found no troops; YET
he received information OF the approach
of General Minion, with 5000 cavalry,
on which he retired 10 camp. Every
precaution was subsequently taken to
have an active reconnaissance on all the
roads by which the enemy could APP
proach. As these unfortunate occurren-
ces had been the result Of a want Of vigil
lance and disobedience Of orders, it is
hoped that they may prove a lesson to
our troops.
General Taylor had changedhis head
quarters from Monterey 10 Aqua Nueva,
eighteen miles south Of Saltillo, where he
arrived on the 5lh instant, bringing for
ward in the first instance, Lieut.. Col.
Mays squadron Of Dragons, two bate
ries, (Sherman's and Bragg's, and the
regiment of Mississippi riflemen. He
was subsequently Joined by the Kentucky
and Indiana regiments. and other troops