The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-05-01

lines, he could not cause the enemy L
cease their FIRE, and accordingly return
,sTsd without having an interview. The
bcHextreme right Of the enemy continu
'io' - its retreat along the base Of the
zi mountain, and finally. in spite Of al
our efforts, effected junction with
shs remainder Of the army.
During the day, the cavalry oi Gen.
V Minon had ascended the elevated plain
above Saltillo, and occupied the road
from the city to the field Of battle
where they intercepted several Of our
men. Approaching the town, they
were fred upon by Capt. Webster from
1.-The redoubt occupied by his company,
rand then moved off towards the cas-
etern side Of the valley, and o bliquely
Il towards Buena Vista. At this time,
Capt. Shower moved rapidly forward
with his piece, supported by a miscel.'
-ilaneous command Of mounted volun-
tesrs, and fired several shots at the
cavalry with great effect. >. They
were driven into the ravlnes which'led
TO the lower valley, closely pursued by
Capt, Shower, who was further suppor-
ted by piece of Capt. Webstsr's bat
terry, under Lieut.. Donaldson, which
had advanced from the redoubt, sup.
ported by Capt. Wheeler's company H.
-linois volunteers. The enemy made
one or two efforts 10 charge the artil-
-lsry, but was finally driven back in
confused mass, and did not again ap-
pear upon the plain. 2lf tag' -,S15Lt /.
-aDIn the meantime, the firing had par
TALLY ceased upon the principal field.
The enemy seemed to confine his ef-
forts.to the protection Of his artillery,
and Ihad left the patau for moment,
when was recalled thlther by a very
heavy musketry fire. On regaining
the positio n, discovered that our in
fantry Qllinols and Cd Kentucky had
engaged greatly superior force of the
enemy-evidenlly his ressrve--and
that they had been overwhelmed by
numbers. .a The moment was most
critical, Capt. C'Brien, with two pie
ees, had sustained this heavy charge to
the last and was finally obliged to leave
his guns on the field--his infantry sup.
port being entirely routed. Captain
Bragg, who had just arrived from the
Left, was ordered at once into battery.
Without any infantry to support him,
and at the emminent risk of loosng his
guns, this officer came readily into ac-
ton, the Mexican line being but few
yards from the muzzle of his pieces
The first discharge Of canister caused
the enemy to hesitate, the second and
third drove him back in disorder, and
saved the day. The Cd Kentucky
regiment, which had advanced beyond
supporting distance in this affair, was
driven back and closely pressed by the
enemy's cavalry. Taking ravine
which led in the direction OF Captain
Washington's battery, their pursuers
became exposed to his fire, which soon t
checked and drove them back with I
loss. In the meantime, the rest of our
artillery had taken position on the plat.
au, covered by the Mississippi and Sd
Indiana regiments. the formerof which {
had reached the ground in time to pour {
a fire into the right flank OF the enemy
and thus contribute to his repulsa. In {
this last conflict, we had the mIsfor-
tune, to sustain very heavy loss. Col
Hardin, lsl Illinois, and Col. Mckee, {
and Lieut.. Col. Clay, I'd Kentucky
regiments, fell at this time while gal {
lantly heading the commands. a Il
No further attempt was made by the
enemy to force our position, and the u
approach ofnght gave an opportunity S
to. pay proper attention TO the woun- s
ded, and also to refresh the soldiers, a
who had been exhausted by incessant h
watchfulness and combat. Though f
the night was severely cold, the troops q
were compelled for the most to BIZ 9
vouack without fires, expecting that |
morning would renew the conflict Is
During the night the wounded were re. I
moved to Saltillo, and every prepara- |
ton made to receive the enemy should f
he again attack our position. Seven {
fresh companies were drawn from the d
town, and Brigadier General Marshall, o
who had made a forced march from q
Rlnconada, with reinforcement, Of =
Kentucky cavalry acd four heavy guns y
under Capt. Prentiss, 1st artillery, was u
near at hand, when it was discovered o
that the enemy had abandoned his po- il
si,ion during the night. Our scouts r
soon ascertained that he had fallen d
back upon Aqua Nueva. The great y
disparity Of numbers, and the exhaus- Il
ton of our troops, rendered it inexpe- v
dent and hazardous TO attempt pur- ,.
A I l.. i L.