Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-05-15

ISL artlIIeTy, and armed win TWO 24-pOund
howitzers, while the train and headquarter
camp was guarded by two companies of
riflemen under Capt. Rogers,
and feld-piece commanded by Capt SHOW
err, Sd artillery. Having made these dispo-
sitions for the protection of the rear, pro-
ceeded on the morning of the 23d to Bue-
ma Vista, ordering forward all the other
available troops. The action had common.
ced before my arrival on the field.
During the evening and night of the god,
the enemy had thrown a body of light
troops on the mountain side. with the pur.
pose of ouflanking our left; and it was
here that the action of the 22d commenced
at an early hour. Our rihemen under Col.
Marshall who had been reinforced by three
companies under Maj. Trail, I'd Illinois
volunteers, maintained their ground hand
somely against greatly superior force,
holding themselves under cover, and using
their weapons with deadly effect. About
8 o'clock strong demonstration was made
against the centre of our position. heavy
column moving along the road. This force
was soon dispersed by a few rapid and well
directed shots from Capt. Washington's
battery. In the meantime the enemy was
concentrating large force of infantry and
cavalry under cover of the ridges, with
the obvious intention of forcbing our left,
which was posted on an extensive plateau.
The I'd Indiana and I'd Illinois regiments
formed this part of our line, the former CO.
vering three pieces of light artillery, under
the orders of Capt. O'Brien--Brigader
General Lane being in the immediate COM
mand. In order to bring his men in effec-
tive range, Gen. Lane ordered the artillery
and I'd Indiana regiments forward. The
artillery advanced within musket range of
a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and
was served against ii with great effect, but
without being able to check its ADVANCE
The infantry ordered 10 lis support had fal.
len back in disorder, being exposed. as wei
as the battery, not only 10 severe fire OF
small arms from the front, but also to muir.
derous cross fire of grape and canister
from Mexican battery on the left. Capt
O'Bren found it impossible toretain his po
sition without support, but was only able
to withdraw two of his pieces, all the hor
ses and cannoneers of the third piece being
killed or disabled. The I'd Indiana regi
ment, which had fallen back as stated
could no, be rallied, and took no further
part in the action, except a handful
of men, who, under its gallant Colonel
Bowels, joined the Mississippi regiment
and did good service, and those fugilives
who, at later period in the day, assisted
in defending the train and depot at Buena
Vista. This portion Of our line having
given way, and the enemy appearing in
overwhelming force against our left flank
the light troops which had rendered such
good service on the mountain, were com
PEELED to withdraw, which they did, for the
most part, in good order. Many, however
were not rallied until they reached the de
pot at Buena Vista, to the defence Of
which they Afterwards contributed.
COL Bissers regiment, ed Illinois) which
had been joined by a section of Capt. Sher
mans battery, had become completely out
fanked, and was compelled to fall back
being entirely unsupported. The enemy
was now pouring masses Of infantry ano
cavalry along the base Of the mountain or
on our left, and was gaining our rear ii
great force. At this moment, arrived
upon the field. The Mississippi regimen
had been directed TO the left before reach
ing the position, and Immediately came into
action against the Mexican infantry which
had turned our flank The Cd Kentucky
regiment and a section of artillery unde
Capt. Bragg, had previousl y been ordered
from the right to reinforce our left, and ar
rived at most opportune moment. Tha
regiment and portion Of the LIST Illinois
under Col. Hardin, CALAMITY drove the en-
envy, and recovered a portion of the groun'
we had lost. The batteries Of Captains
Sherman and Bragg were in position OF
the plateau, and did much execution, no
masses which had gained our rear. Dis
covering that the enemy was heavily press
ing upon the Mississippi regiment, the 81
Indiana regiment, under Col Lane, wa
dispatched to strengthen that part of ou
line, which formed a CROCHET perpendicu
lar to the first line of battle. AT the SAM
time, Lieutenant Kilburn, with piece o
Capt. Braggs battery, was directed to sup
port the infantry there engaged. The &C
lied was for long time warmly sustained
at that point-the enemy making severa
efforts both with infantry and cavalry
against our line, and being always repulse
with heavy loss. had placed all the reg
ular cavalry and Capt. Pixies squadron Q
, Arkansas horse under the orders of Breve
Lieut.. Col. May, with directions to hold i
; check the enemy's column, still advancin
! to the rear along the base of the mountain
: which was done in conjunction with III
: Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry unde
i Coils. Marshal and YELL In the meantim
: our left, further strengthened by the detacl
S men, of Capt. Bragg's. and portion c