The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-01
OFFICIAL.
From Gen. TayIor's Army
{ Continued from SATURDAYS "OntoH ,

SIR In compliance with your note OF Yesterday, have
the honor TO present the following ~ '' u
Earlv IN ibe morning of that day the regiment was
drawn out from the headqutl.ers, eneampnens wneh
tonformaby 10 Instructions two companies were de-
tched for The protection OF that enoampment, and 10 de-
fend the adjacent entrance of the town The remaining
e,ht companies put in march return to the posi-,
lion of the preceding day. now known the battle field
of Buena Vista We had approached to within about
two miles OF that position, when the report OF artillery fir.
ing, which reached gave that battle had
commenced Excited by the sound, the regiment pressed
rapidly forward, maniiestng upon this as upon other
casions their more than willingness TO meet the enemy
All the first convenient place the column halted Tor
The purpose OF filling the caneens with water and the
march being resumed directed towards the postlon
which had been indicated TO the previous evening
as the post OF our regiment As we approached the
scene OF achon horsemen recognised as Oh our hoops
were seen running, dispersed and coniasedy from the
field and our first view of the line OF battle presented
the Notifying spectacle of regiment OF infantry lying
dsorganized from before the enemy These sights, so
well calculated to destroy confidence and dspn troops
just coming into action, 1t my pride and pleasure to be-
leve only nerved the resolution OF the regiment have
Our order OF march was in column of companies ad-
vancing by their centres The point which had just been
our direction rode forward to examine the ground up
on which were going TO operate, and, in passing
through the fugitives, appealed to them to return with
and renew the fight pointing to our regiment as mass
of men behind which they might securely form.
With few honorable exceptions the appeal was as
made bv our men to give Their canieens of water to those
who complained of thirst, on condition that they would
go back. General Wool was upon the. ground making
preached him, and asked he would send another regi-
ment to sustain in attack upon the enemy before
u.s. HE was alone and, after promising inc support went
that the slope ascending was interseced by
deep ravine, which, uniting obquely with still larger
upon right formed between them point of land
difficult of access by but which, spreading into plain
towards the base of the mountain had easy communica
ton with the main body OF the enemy. This position,
olctrap fore
value from the relation bore to order OF battle and
line OF communication with the rear; The enemy, in
number many times greater than ourselves, supported by
strong reserves anked by cavalry and elaed by recent
success, was advancing upon it. The moment seemed to
me critical and the occasion to require whatever sacri-
flee it might cost to check the enemy.
My regiment, having continued TO advance, near
at hand met and formed it rapidly into order Of battle
me line then advanced IN double quick time, unti WITHIN
ordered to " fire advancing"
The progress of the enemy arrested We crossed
the difficult chasm before under CALLING fire. and in
good order renewed the attack upon the other side The
contest severe-the destruction great upon both
sides We steadily advanced, and. as the distance was
diminished the ratio OF loss increased rapidly against the
enemy; he yielded, and was driven back on his
plain now lay behind us-the eneny's cavalry had
passed around right flank which rested the main
ravine, and gone to rear The support had ex-
pected to join nowhere to be seen. therefore
ordered the regiment to retire. and went in person to find
the cavalry which, after passing round right had been
concealed by the inequality OF the ground found them
at the first point where the bank was practicable for
uOrSemcD, 0cSCenQlnK
doubt for the purpose of charging upon our rear The
nearest OF men quickly to my call, attacked this
body, and dispersed with some loss think their
mAnder was among the killed.
The regiment was formed again in line of battle be-
hind the first ravine had crossed soon after which,
we were Joined upon our left BY Lieut.! Kibogrn with
OF Indiana volunteers
Lieut.. Klboum opened brisk and very effective fire
tired to the mountain No senior officer Of Lieut. XII
bourns corps being present upon this occasion, gives
pleasure bear testimony the valuable services he
rendered. and TO express my admiration OF the profession
al skill and soldiery qualities he manifested.
We occupied the ground where the Mississippi regi;
men first met the enemy, when heavy fire was opened
upon us by battery which the enemy had established
the centre of his line The Indiana regiment was
most exposed and passed from the left INTO the rayne
upon our left The artillery retired to the battery from
which il had been drawn had sent out some parties
to examine the ground on which we had fought IN the
when these parties had returned our regiment retired by
its left flank, and marched along the bank of the ayne
heretofore noticed as being on our right The Indiana
regiment in moving down the hollow, was concealed
from the view of the enemy, who probably thereby
encouraged to make an attack.
We had proceeded but short distance when
large body of cavalry debouche from his cover on the
left OF the position from which we had retired, and ad
vance rapidly upen US. The Mississippi regiment was
filed to the right and onted in line the plans the
Indiana regiment was formed the bank OF the ravlne,
in advance of right flank, by which re-enteng
gle was presented TO the enemy Whilst this preparation
was being made Sergeant Major Miller of our regiment,
was sent Captain Sherman for one or more pieces OF ar
llery from his battery
The enemy, who to be body of richly
caparisoned anees, came forward rapidly and in beaut
full orderthe files and ranks closed to look like
OF men and hsrses. Perfect silence and the great
seadness prevailed in both lines of troops they
stood at shoudered waiting attack Confident
of success and anxious to obtain the full advantage of
fire at short distance repeatedly called to the
not to shoot
AS the enemy approached, his speed regularly diminish
ed UNTIL when within eighty hundred yards, he had
drawn up to walk and seemed about to halt. A few
files fired without orders, and both lines then instantly
poured in vOlley destructive that the yielded
the blow and the survivors fled Captain Sherman hav-
ing up with field piece from his battery, followed
their retreat with very effective fire until they had fled
beyond the range of his gun Soon after this event. de-
achment of our artillery and cavalry moved up
eft and was directed to cooperate with it In an attack
upon the enemy at the base of the mountain.
We advanced parallel to this detachment until il
halted then placed our men under such protection
the ground afforded from the constant fire of the enemys
artillery, to which exposed to wait the further
movement of the force with which to act. AT
this time the enemy made his last attack upon the right
and received the generals order march to that por-
ton OF the field.
The broken character of the intervening ground
eeaed the scene of action from view; but the heavy
firing of muskey formed sufficient guide for course.
After marching two three hundred yards, the
enemys infantry advancing in three lines upon Captain
Braggs battery; which, though entirely unsupported,
soutely held its position, and met the attack with fire
worthy OF the former achievement OF that battery, and of
the reputation OF its present meritorous commander
which this combat occurred, reached its brow to
take the enemy IN flank and when he about
hundred yards from the battery Our first fre-ra-
king each OF his lines, and opened close upon MS flank