Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-05-06


cred that the enemy had abandoned his po-
sition during the night. Our scouts soon
ascertained that they had fallen back upon
Aqua Neuva. The great disparity of num-
bers, and the exhaustion of our troops. rem
dered it inexpedient to attempt pursuit.
A staff officer was despatched to General
Santa Anna to negotiate an exchange of
prisoners, which was satisfactorily compile
ted on the following day. Our own dead
were collected and buried, and the Mexican
wounded, of which a large number had been
left upon the field, were removed to Saltllo,
and rendered as comfortable as circumstan-
ces would permit.
On the evening of the Goth, close re-
connoisance was made of the enemy's posi-
ton, which was found to be occupied only
by II small body of cavalry, the infantry and
artillery having retreated in the direction OF
San LUIS Potosi. On the 9th, our troops
resumed their former camp at Aqua Neuva,
the enemy's rear guard evacuating the place
as we approached, leaving a considerable
number of wounded. 1t was my purpose
to beat up his quarters at Eucarnation early
the next morning. but upon examination
the weak condition of the cavalry horses
rendered it unadvisable to attempt so long 4
march without water. A command was fl.
nally despatched to Encarnacion, on the Isl
of March, under Colonel Belknap. Some
two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mex.
lean soldiers were found there, the army
having passed on in the direction of Mate.
huala, with greatly reduced numbers, and
suffering much from hunger The dead
and dying were strewed upon the road and
crowded the buildings of the hacienda.
The American force engaged in the &C.
ton of Buena Vista is shown, by the ac.
companying field report, to have been 334
officers, and ,425 men, exclusive of the
small command left in aud near Satilo. Oh
this number, two squadrons of cavalry, and
three batteries of light artillery, making not
more than 403 men, composed the only force
of regular troops. The strength of the Mex
lean army is stated by Gen. Santa Anna, in
his summons, to be 10000; and that estl-
mate is confirmed by all the information
since obtained Our loss is 267 killed, 45G
wounded, and % missing OF the numer.
Gus wounded, many did not require re.
moval to the hospital and it is hoped that a
comparatively small number will be perma.
nently disabled The Mexican loss in killed
and wounded may be fairly estimated at
!, 800, and will probably reach 1000. AT
least 500 of their killed were left upon the
field of battle. We have no means of as
certaining the number of deserters and dis
persed men from their ranks, but it is known
to be very great.
Our loss has been especially severe in of
ficers, twenty-eight having been killed upon
the field. We have to lament the death OF
Captain George Lincoln, Assistant Adjutant
General, serving on the staff of Gen. Wool
"a young officer of high bearing and APP
proved galantry, who fell early in the ac.
ton No loss falls more heavily upon the
army in the field than that of Colonies Har.
din and Mckee, and Lieut.. Col. Clay. Pos.
sessing in a remarkable degree the conf.
dence of their command, and the last tive
having enjoyed the advantages of military
education, had looked particularly to them
for support in case we met the enemy
need not say that their zeal in engaging the
enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage
with which they maintained their positions
during the day, fully realized my hopes, and
caused me to feel yet more sensibly thei,
untimely loss.
perform grateful duty in bringing tc
the notice of the government, the genera
good conduct of the troops. Exposed fol
successive nights without fires to the severi
ty of the weather, they were ever prompt
and cheerful in the discharge of every duty
and finally displayed conspicuous steadines,
and galantry in repulsing at great odds {
disciplined foe While the brilliant success,
achieved by their arms releases me from the
necessity of specifying many cases of bat
conduct before the enemy, feel an increas
ed obligation to mention particular corps
and officers, whose skill, GOODNESS and gal
lantry, in trying situations, and under a con
tinued and heavy fire, seem to merit partic
ular notice.
To Brigadier General Wool my obliga
tions are especially due. The high state o
discipline and instruction of several of thC
volunteer regiments was attained under hi
command, and to his vigilance and arduou
services before the action, and his gallaDtrl
and activity on the field, large share o
our success may justly be attributed Dur
ing most of the engagement he was in i'm
mediate command of the troops thrown bacl
on our left flank. beg leave to recommend
him to the favorable notice of the government
Brigadier General Lane (slightly wounded
was active and jealous throughout the day
and displayed great GOODNESS and gallantr
before the enemy.
The services of the light artillery, Away
conspicuous, were more than usually distin
guished Moving rapidly over the roughes
ground, it was always in action at the RICH
place and the right time, and its well-direc
ted fire dealt destruction in the masses o
the enemy
While l recommend to particular favo
the gallant conduct and valuable services @
Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Cap
tans Washington, 4th artillery, and Sher
man and Bragg, Sd artillery, commanding
batteries, | deem it no more than just t.
mention all the subaltern officers. The
were nearly all detached at different times
and in every situation exhibited conspicuou
skill and gallantry. Captain O'Brien, Lieu
tenants Brent, Whiting, and Couch, 4th al
tillery, and Bryan, Typographical engineers
Slightly wounded) were attached to Capt
Washington's battery. Leutenants Thomas
Reynolds and French, Sd artillery, (severe
ly wounded) to that of Captain Sherman
and Captain Shower and Lieut.. Kilburn, B
artillery, to that of Capt Bragg. Captai
Shower, in conjunction with Lieut.. Donald