Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-06
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA

As every incident connected with this memora-
Bile conflict as remarkable for its result as for The
disparity between The opposing forces, must be in
eresingto our readers, (sayslh Union,) We have
endeavored 10 group together some OF them, as
caught from hasy conversation with The inter-
esing and gallant volunteer aid OF Gen. Taylor,
who was witness OF The whole scene.
The pass Of Buena Vista is about one and
hree-quarers OF a mile wide, the road being in
the middle. Gen. Tayor's right rested upon the
road, fand was SO protected by the broken nature
OF the ground, as 10 be secure against any attempt
10 flank him on that side. From the road TO the
mountains on the left is 700 or 500 yards the first
half OF the distance being good deal cut up by
short ravines, running TO the road. Beyond the
heads OF these ravnes the plain extends to the
mountain, which is steep and almost inaccessible.
On this plain The battle was mainly fought. Most
of Washinston's battery was planned on The right,
10 defend The road. Bragg's and Thomas's bat
teres and Others were on the plain, and were
| used with tremendous effect upon The enemy,
whose dense columns had al one time approached
so near as 10 threaten, by their mere weight, the
ccmplee'ogerthrow OF our army, when deslruc-
tive fire from Bragg's battery appeared 10 open
whole streets through The solid masses in front,
and 10 bid defiance to any nearer approach.
! In the mean time, the superior numbers OF the
enemy had passed our left flank, while their ar
tillery endeavored 10 maintain raking position
upon US from the foot OF the mountain. Some
1900 of their cavalry, besides infantry had got
around in that direction, and maintained Sc
we're conflict Tor lime. Gen. Taylor directed
Lieut.. Col May, with four companies 10 charge
this large body Of cavalry; but when he got with
in about one hundred yards, The enemy fled, and
the infantry in that quarter was soon after seen
in full retreat. This was about o'clock, and
Gen. Taylor despatched Mr. Critlenden with a
flag OF truce, 10 say 10 The commander of these
retreating forces, if they would surrender, he
would not fire on Them. Mr.. c., on horseback,
with his Interpreter soon overlook the rear Of the
retrea,ing party, and, aier passing many of The
slragelers, was required 10 STOP, which order
was enforced by the presentation Of gun, until
the interpreter explained
They were then blindfoldcd, and carried for
ward, MIR. C. occasionally inquiring for the Off
Ger in command Of that corps They as often
said, "A lille further on" and ii one Time, when
he refused 10 proceed, an officer told him he could
not be answerabIe for The consequences from his
own men if he did not 60 on 10 Santa Anna
When he reached The latter, in a sort o.! ravine
below The fire, on The plain, Mr.. c. soon inform
ed him that his errand was 10 The officer in com
mand OF the retrea,ing body and not to him"eh
a fer a whila, tremendous flourish OF rumreis
and instruments was the signal Tor The bandaces
10 be withdrawn from his eyes, when Santa An
ma demanded he. allueD!'r "f,G 9oaNe, 'Tfnesens
who understood English explained 10 Santa An
ma the nature OF The answer, when ne SAID
sthen, both armies are in The like condition" or
words TO that effect.
Mr.. G. then asked for conductor, that ne
might return. When he reached the plain again,
the Two armies seemed engaged in tremendous
struggle, and after taking leave OF his cond uclor,
he made his way back, rs best he could, in greater
peril from the fire Of our own guns than from
those Of The Mexicsns
Il is moi true, as heretofore reported, that
Lieutenant Colonel May in his reconnaissance,
had lost Lieutenant Wood and ten men. They
became separated, hui all got back safely to camp.
Lieutenant Siurges was taken prisoner, but was
released under the subsequent arrangement for
an exchange Of prisoners.
MIR. G. thinks the Mexican infantry behaved
much better than their cavalry-the latter would
not wait for charge from even one.fifh OF their
number
The rumor that Gen. Taylor's dispatches had
heen cut off was unfounded. Some of them
had been delayed a, Monterey for want OF an es-
corr. These Mr.. c. obtained when ne came
through, and all have been safely delivered to The
Adlulan; General in this city.
We are glad to learn frnm Mr.. G. that Lieut..
Col. May, who is reported having received "a
severe confusion" was out and considered well
AGAIN. before Mr.. c. lett The army.