The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-07

From the Correspondence Of the N. o. Tropic
CAMP AR RuESA VISTA. Feb. "a, lS47


CAMP BuESA VISTA, Feb. "a, ls47
MEssRs. EDITORS On the morning OF the 22d, nel!,,
gence reached General Taylor at his camp on the hii
overlooking Saltllo from The south that Santa Anna,
whose presence in our vicinity had been reported Tor
several days. advancing upon our man stationed
near the Rancho San Juan de Buena VISTA about seven
miles from Saltllo The general Immediately moved iol
ward with MAYS squadron of dragons, Shemans and
Baggs batteries of artillery, and the MISSISSIPPI reg-
ment OF remen under Colonel Davis, and arrived at the
position which he had selected Tor awaiting the aaek ol
hour and the man, seemed TO promise glorious celeor-
ton of the day II the 22d of February the ami
versary of that day which the God OF battles gave to
freedom its noblest champion, to patriotism ITS purest
model America preserveT, and to the world The near
est realization of human peeconfor panegyrc sinks
before the of Washington
The morning was bright and beautiful. Not cloud
hoated ahwart the armament dimmed the azure OF the
sky and the flood of golden radiance, which gilded the
mountain tops, and poured the valleys, wrought
light and shade into thousand fantastic forms soft
breeze swept down from the mountains rolling into
graceful undulaton the banner of the republic, which
proudly streaming from the flag staff of the fort and
from the towers and battlements OF Sallo The omens
all in our favsr.
In the choice of his position, Gen Taylor had exhibit
ed the comprehensive sagacity and mastery coup
daH, which characterized his dispositions at Resaca de
la Palma, and which crowned trumphanty all his ope-
ratons amid the blazing lines OF Monterey The noun
tans either side of irregular and broken val
ley, abou, three miles in width, dotted with hills
and ridges and SCARED with broad and winding ravnes
The main road lies along the OF arroyo. the bed
barrier, while the other side is bounded by pecpitous
elevations, stretching pependiculary towards the noun
tans and separated by broad gues, until they minge
into at the base of the principal range. On the right
of the narowes point OF the road way battalion OF the
lst Illinois regiment under Lieut. Col Weatherfod, was
stationed in small TRENCH extending TO the natural r
vine, WHILE the opposite height the main body OF the
regiment under Col Hardin, posted, with single
piece OF artillery from Capt Washingons battery. The
post OF honor on the extreme right was assigned to
Kentucky foot under Col McKee, the left flank OF which
rested upon the arroyo. Washngton's battery occupied
position Immediately in front of the narrow point of the
road way in of which and somewhat TO the left,
another height, the I'd Illinois regiment under Col. Bis
SELL posted. Next the left, the Indiana brigade
under Gen Lane depoyed while on the extreme LETT
the Kentucky cavalry under Col Marshall occupied po
siton directly under the rownng SUBMITS of the noun
tains. The two squadrons of the ls and I'd dragoOns
and the Arkansas cavalry under Col Yell, were posted
ready for service which the exgences OF the
day might require
These dispositions had been made for time, when
the enemy advancing in the distance and the
clouds of dust which rolled up before him gave sasfac
trial of strength upon which were about to enter He
arrived upon his position in immense masses, and with
force sufficiently numerous to have commenced his at
tack at once, had he been confident of success
appeared he soctous for safety.
The first evidence directly afforded of the presence OF
Santa Anna was white flag, which was dimy seen fut-
terng IN the breeze and anon Surgeon General Linden
berg, OF the Mexican army arrived, bearing beautiful
emblem OF benevolent bravado and Christian charity 1t
was mssive from Santa Anna suggested by considera
lions for our personal comfort which has placed under
lasting obligations, proposing to Gen Taylor terms of
conditional surrender promising good treament assuring
US his force amounted to upwards of 10000 men, that
our defeat was inevitable and that to spare the euson
OF blood his proposition should be complied with.
Strange to say the American general showed the great
EST ngraude evinced appreciation whatever of Santa
Annals kindness, and informed him that whether his
force amounted to 30 900 or $4,000 equally mat
Ter of Indifference: the terms of adjustment must be
ranged by gunpowder.
III L :.
I'd in silence to hear the OF his artillery Hours
rolled by without any movement on his part; and 1t APP
peared that the Mexican commander greved at stub
bomness, almost disposed to rerace his steps, If
determined to have no further intercourse with such
grateful audacity AT length he mustered resolution to
open fire from mortar, throwing several shells into
Captain Seen of the LIST dragons, with single man.
started towards hill OH which the Mexican general
seemed to be stationed with his staff but before he
,leted the ascent the party vanished and when he
cached the top he discovered that two regiments had
brown themselves into squares to resist his charge The
aptains gravity overcome by this opposition and
he returned.
Just before dark number of Santa Annals infantry
had succeeded in getting position, high up the noun
aims our left from which they could make noise
Without exposing themselves to much danger, and at
distance of three hundred yards opened most remen
lous fire upon Colonel Marshall's regiment This was
eturned by two of his companies, which were dismount
ID and detached for the purpose as soon as they could
lrrive within neighborly range. The diminishing con-
inued until after dark, with result to us, the
of three men very slightly.
During the night, Mexican prisoner was taken, who
reported Santa Annals force consisting of fifteen pieces
of artillery including some 2aPounders, six thousand
,avary and fifteen thousand infantry, thus confirming
he statement of his superior.
lhe firing on our extreme left which ceased soon
utter sunset, on the 22d renewed the morning of
he 23d, at early hour. This was also accompanied
~ quick discharges Of artillery from the quarter,
he Mexicans having established during the night 70
FOUNDER, on point at the base of the mountain, which
commanded any position which could be taken by u.s.
70 counteract the effect Of this piece Lieutenant OBrien
tn artillery was detached with three pieces of Wash
ngons battery, having with him Lieutenant Bryan of
shells in the midst of the enemys gunners for the time,
,fectually silenced his fire.
From the movements perceptble along the left OF
'ur line, it became evident that the enemy attempt
ng to turn that flank, and for this purpose had
rated large body of cavalry and infantry his right
winding their way seemed girdled with belt OF steel,
Is their gtteng sabres and polished ances flashed back
he beams of the morning sun. Sherman's and Bragg
batteries were Immediately ordered TO the left Col Bis
Col. Mckees Kentuckians were transferred from the
light OF our line, to hold position the centre.
he second Indiana regiment, under Col Bowles, was
placed on our extreme left nearly perpendicular to the
Erection OF our line so as to oppose, by direct fire, the
lank movement OF the enemy These dispositions hav-
ng been promptly effected, the artillery OF both armies
opened its fires and simultaneously the Mexican nan-
ry commenced rapid and extended discharge upon our
Inc, from the left to Mckees regiment Our artillery
,elched forth its hunders with tremendous effect while
with great steadncss and success their field officers
ckee Clay and Fry passing along their line, ANNA
ing and encouraging the by precept and example
ne second Illinois regiment also received the enemys
Ire with great fmness, and returned ample equva-
ent While this fierce conflict was going on, the main
tn fhp of thal