The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-06-08
NATIONAL WHIG.
THE MOIRS
MAJOR ENERAL
ZACH r Y TAYLO r.
Written expressly for the National whig.

Written expressly for the National Wing
While the squadron Of the first Dragons
was detached on this service, large body
of the enemy was observed to concentrate
on the extreme left of the American line,
apparently with the view of making a des-
cent upon the hacienda Of Buena Vista
where General Taylor's train and baggage
were deposited. Lieut.. Colonel May was
ordered to the support Of that point with
two pieces Of Captain Sherman's battery
under Lieut.. Reynolds. In The meantime
the scattered forces near the hacienda, COM
posed in part Of Majors Trail and Germans
commands, had been TO some extent or
ganized under the advice of Major Mon
roe, chief of artillery, with the assistance
of Major Morrison Of the volunteer staff,
and were posted TO defend the position.
Before the cavalry had reached the hacien-
da, that of the enemy made its attack, and
was handsomely met by the Kentucky and
Arkansas cavalry under Colonies Marshall
and Yell. The Mexican column immedi-
ately diyided-one portion sweeping by
the depot where it received destructive
fire from the force which had collected
there, gained the mountain opposite under
fire from Lieut.. Reynolds sec,ion-the
remaining portion regaining the base Of the
mountain on the left. 10 the charge at
Buena Vista, Col. Yell fell calamity at the
head of his regiment, and also Adutanl
Vaughan Of the Kentucky cavalry, young
officer Of much promise. Lieut.. Colonel
May, who had been rejoined by the squad
ron Of first dragons, and by portions Of the
Arkansas and Indiana troops under Lieut..
Colonel Roane and Major German, now APP
preached the base Of the mountain, hold
ing in check the right flank Of the enemy,
upon whose masses crowded in the narrow
gorges and ravines, our artillery were doing
fear ul execution.
The position Of that portion Of the Mexi-
can army which had gained the rear of the
American lines, was now very critical, and
il seemed doubtful whether il could regain
the main body At this moment General
Taylor received from General Santa Anna
a message by staff officer, desiring to know
what General Taylor wanted General
Taylor Immediately despatched Gen. Wool
to the Mexican General in Chief, and sen,
orders to cease firing. Upon reaching the
Mexican lines, Gen. Wool could not cause
the enemy 10 cease their fire, and returned
without having an interview with General
Santa Anna. The extreme right Of the
enemy con inued its retreat along the base
of the mountain, and, finally, III spite Of
every effort to prevent it, effected juno
ton with the remainder of the Mexican
army.
During the day, the cavalry Of General
Minon had assembled the elevated plain
above Saltillo, and occupied the road from
the city to the field Of battle where they in
tercepted several Americans. Approaching
the town they were fired upon by Captain
Webster, from the redoubt occupied by his
company, and they then moved off toa ards
the eastern side of the valley, and oblique-
" towards Buena Vista. AT this time
Capt Shower moved rapidly forward with
his piece, supported by miscellaneous
command of mounted volunteers, and fired
several shots at the cavalry with great eff
feet. They were driven into the ravines
which led 10 the lower valley, closely pur-
sued by Captain Shower, who was further
supported by piece of Captain Webster's
battery, under Lieut.. Donaldson, which
had advanced from the redoubt, supported
by Captain Wheeler's company of Illinois
volunteers. The enemy made one or two
efforts to charge the artillery, but was final
ly driven back in confused mass, and he
did not again appear upon the plain.
In the meantime the firing had partially
ceased upon the principal field. The enc
my seemed to confne his efforts to the pro-
lection Of artillery. General TAYLOR had
left the plateau for a moment, when he
was recalled thither by very heavy mus
kerry fire. On regaining that position, the
General discovered that the American in
fantry, Illinois and second Kentucky had
engaged a greatly superior force Of the
enemy-evidently his reserves-and that
they had been overwhelmed by numbers.
The moment was most critical. Captain
O'Brien, with two pieces, had served this
heavy charge to the last, and was finally
obliged to leave his guns on the field-his
infantry support 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 imminent risk of losing his guns,
this officer came rapidly into action-the
Mexican line being but few yards fom
the muzzle Of his pieces. The first dis
charge of the canister caused the enemy to
hesitate, and the second and third drove
him back in disorder, and saved the day.
The second Kentucky regiment which had
advanced beyond supporting distance in
this affair, was driven back, and closely