Litchfield enquirer., 1847-04-15
LETTER FROM THE ARMY.

AE1VE6 EhOM HE ANM MI.
 The following is an extract from let tes from Lieut.. Franklin, . gallant young officer in the army.aand a grandson of Dr. William Buel, of this village.
 SALr1l1o, March 1, 1s47.
 My dear Mother.-I last wrote you from Monterey just as was about starting for this place. Since then great events have happened here assure you.
 On the afternoon of the 22d of February the army of Santa Anna, numbering more than 2O, 900, arrived in front of Buenavista, a little collection of houses about five miles from here. Gen. Taylor, much to the Msxican's surprise, was there also, and it was evident to all that a battle was the necessary consequence. Before any firing. Santa Anna sent summons to Gen. Taylor to surrender, telling him that he had more than 10000 men, and that in order to a. void bloodshed he would treat him we'll if he surrendered immediately. The General sent him word that it made no difference to him if he had 50, 1000, that he would fight him never theless.
 About half past three the firing commenced. Both of our Hanks were protected by high ' mountains, and the right was impassabls for any thing On the left they hoped to turn us and attack us in the rear. All the afternoon of the 2ed, our sharp shooters were engaged with theirs in the mountain, and great many Mexicans are said to have been killed there.- They succeeded however in establishing them. selves there, and though night overlook them m the mountain it did not stop the fight, as We saw them for several hours after dark still bla. zing away at each other. That night General Taylor and his staff went back to town and en. eamped there, as it was supposed the town was is some danger rem 20oo lancers which were to come down by another road in our rear,
 The next morning the battle commenced in earnest; the Mexicans having gained a posi. ton on our left. established battery there. and under cover of this sent round about 5000 men to take us in rear, but after they had gone we'll round We put our light artillery at them. which killed an immense number of them and compelled them ,o fall back in great con+.s;on They made charge with their lancevs upon 0oehaV'sta where all OUT baggage was, but were repelled by the Arkansas cavalry and the dra- goons under Col May. The failure of all their attempts to turn us disheartened the enemy entirely and in the afternoon they began to fall Oack' and at night every thing was precisely as It had been in the morning-thev had no, gained fost upon us during the whole day, though they out numbered US more that four to one, our force being less than five thousand - Our loss in killed, wounded and missing is q. bout TOO. sheiFs between four and five thousand. it is said.
 Gen. Taylor and staff slep. that night on The neid. and you may imagine our grea, delight when at daylight report arose that the Mex. leans were not to he seen. Strange as it was. It was true; they left before midnight orece- ding, and at daylight were at Agua Nueva. a place Gen. Taylor had left only three days be. fore. some fifteen miles from where inc h.,,,. was fought.
 Being on Gen. Taylor's staff it was my busi. l ness to accompany him wherever he went. and ] as the old gentleman is not very particulsr jr l his choice of places on the field we were some times in very disasrceable situations He him- self had bullet through his coat, Mai. Bliss had his horse shor in the nose, and all of us had to dodge cannon balls with great rapdity The Mexicans found out that the General rode white horse, and fired at him personally several times.
 Santa Anna has gone south, we hardly know where. Some sayso Mexico, and others say .o San Luis. Be it as it may, hope it will lead [" peace. l have been in one battle now. the greatest Of the whole, and acknowledge that have seen enough.