The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-04-13
Battle of Buena Vista.
From the New Orleans Delta, March 81

We had the pleasure of an interview yes
terday with N ajor Coffee. OF the Army, who
brought over General Taylor's dispatches.
This gallant officer-a son of the distinguish
ed General who fought so bravely on the
Plains Of Bhalmette. and in various other bat
ties, by the side of the illustrious Jackson
acted as the Aid of Gen, Taylor in the bloody
fight at Buena Vista. We are greatly in
debted TO him for many particulars OF this hard
fought battle.
On the 2lst the enemy were decried, APP
preaching over the distant hills. At their ap-
pearance the volunteers raised great shout
and gave three tremendous cheers. Their
engineers and officers seen flying over
the field, and dragging their cannon about TO
get them into position; out the nature OF the
ground did not favor The undertaking, and it
W as too late in the day before the big guns be-
gan 10 open.
The enemy bad with them thirty two can
non, mostly Of large caiibre. Their fire, tho
kept up very briskly, and apparently well
manned did so little execution in our ranks
that il was moi considered necessary 10 return
their fire. Our cannon were therefore silent
the " hole Of the 2lst. Eight or ten killed s.
wounded were the extent of the casualties
! sustained by our army on the 2lst. During
the day an officer approached our lines with
flag OF truce, and requested TO be shown TO
Gen. Taylor. The brave old man was sitting
quietly on his old white charger, with his leg
over the pommel of the saddle, watching the
movements of the enemy, when the Mexican
officer was presented. In a very courteous
aud graceful manner the officer stated that
he had been sent by his Excellency General
Santa Anna, 10 his Exccllency Gen. Taylor,
10 inquire, in tine most respectful manner, what
he General Taylo was waiting for.'-From
the silence Of Gen. Taylor's batteries, and the
quiet manner in which he received Santa An
mas terrific cannonadins, the Mexican sup
posed he was asking very pertinent question,
TO which, however, old Rough and Ready
gave the very pertinent reply that he was on
Fly waiting for Gen. Santa Anna TO surrender
| The Mexican returned hastily 10 his lines.
This message proved to be a Tuse to ascertain
where Gen. Taylor's position was, for after
the return OF the Mexican officer to his own
ranks The whole Mexican battery seemed TO
open upon Gen. Taylor's position, and the
balls flew over and around him like hail. Ut
terly Indifferent TO the perils Of his situation,
there sat the old chief, OIL his conspicuous
white horse, peeriDg through his spy glass al
the long lines of Mexican troops that could
be seen al great distance on the march. The
persuasion Of his aids could not induce him
to abandon his favorable point for observation,
nor give up his old white horse. To the sug
gestion of his staff that old Whitley was rather
too conspicuous a charger for the command
err, he replied that the old fellow had missed
the fun at Monterey, on account OF a so, e foot.
and he was determined he should have his
share this time
AT sunrise on the ODD February the battle
began in earnest. The Mexicans were dawn
out in immense numbers. The dark columns
Of infantry extended as far as the eye could
reach and the cavalry seemed 10 cover the
whole view with their interminable lines. Al
intervals between the infantry and cavalry,
their big guns, strongly protected by large
artillery force, kept up an incessant eanDon-
ade against our lines. Their forces were soon
in motion. Our artillery was thrown forward
to meet them. protected by The volunteers.
Gen. Woul led the main body in person, and
was seen everywhere rallying and encoura-
ging the Yolunteess. The two armies were
soou engaged in hot conflict. The broken
nature of the ground divided the forces, so
that instead Of one genera! engagement the
regiments were compelled in great measure
TO fight on their own hook-Our officers were
hence the great mortality among them.-In
this general melee one OF our small regiments
Of 400 men, would be attacked by a whole
Mexican brigade of several thousand. Thus
The Kentucky infantry was attacked at the foot
of hill, in deep ravine, by an immense force
of the enemy. A large number ofihe officers
were killed. here-amons them was Col. Nc |
kee, who fell badly wounded, and was I'M
mediarely dispatched by the enemy, who |
pierced him with their bayenets as he lay up |
on The ground. Lieut.. Col. Clay was shot |
through the thigh. and being unable to walk
was taken up and carried some distance BY |
some of his men. but owing TO the steepness /
Of the hill, the men finding it very difficult 10 |
carry him, and the enemy in great numbers
pressing upon them, the gallant Lieut., Col.
begged them 10 leave him and take care Of
themselves. Forced TO leave him On the field
the last that was ssen of this noble young off
Ger he was lying on his back, fighting with his
sword the enemy who were stabbing him
with their bayonets. The veteran Captain
VIM. 5. Willis, Of the same regiment, at The
head of bis company, with three sialwart sons
who fought at his side, was badly wounded
but still continued the fight. until he was
overcome with the loss of blood.
In the meantime, the Indian brigade, who
were drawn out and ordered to charge the
enemy. were ceized with panic. and display
ing some hesitation Assistant Adj't Gen. Lin
coin rushed 10 their 'front.' and while urbrsid-
ing them for their cowardce. was shot. several
halls passing through his body. 10 justice to
this brigade it be stated that they subsequent
Iy rallied. and fully redeemed their reputation
by The most gallant and effective fighting.
Col. Har0in led the Iinoisiaus in very
handsome style, asd the sturdy suckers"
fought like lions. Theirintrepd Colonel fell
wounded, and experienced The fate of Coils. {
Mckee aud Clay. and was killed by the enc I
my-not however before he'd had killed one i
OF the cowsrdly miscreanrs with pistol,
hlch he fired while lying on the ground.
Col. Yell led, the foremost man, a charge I