Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-04-10

and Ready gave the very pertinent reply, that "he
was waiting for Gen. Santa Anna to surrender"
The Mexican returned hastily to his lines,
This Message proved to be ruse TO ascertain
where Gen. Taylors 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 few over
and about him like hail. Utterly Indifferent to
the perils Of his situation, there sat the old chief,
on his conspicuous white horse, peering through
his spy glass at the long lines Of Mexican troops
that could be seen at great distance on the
march. The persuasion Of his aids could not in.
duce him to abandon his favorable point for OBJ.
servation, or 10 give up his old white horse. To
the suggestion OF his staff that old Whitley WIS ra.
Their too conspicuous charger for the commander
he replied, "the old fellow had missed the fun at
| Monterey, on account Of a sore foot, and he was
determined he should have his share this time"
| At sunrise on the 23d February, the battle be.
in immense numbers. The dark columns OF infan.
the cavalry seemed to cover the whole view with
their interminable lines. At intervals between
the infantry and cavalry. their big guns, strongly
protected by large artillery force, kept up an
incessant cannonadng against our lines, Their
forces were soon in notion Our artillery was
thrown forward to meet them, protected by the
volunteers. Gen. Wool led the main body in
person, and was seen every where, rallymg and
encouraging the volunteers. The two armies
were soon engaged in hot conflict. The broken
nature Of the ground divided the forces, so that
instead Of one general engagement, the regiments
were compelled in great measure to fight on
their own hook. Our officers were always in the
advance, leading their troops-hence the great
mortality among them In this general melee,
one of our small regiments. OF 400 men, would
be attacked by whole Mexican brigade Of sew.
eral 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 of the officers were killed here-among
them was Col. Mckee, who fell badly wounded,
and was Immediately despatched by the enemy,
who pierced him with their bayonets as he lay 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 to carry him, and the
my in great numbers pressing upon them, the
gallant Lieutenant Colonel begged them to leave
him and take care Of themselves. Forced to
leave him on the field, the last that was seen OIL
this noble young officer he was lying on his back
fighting with his sword. the enemy who were
stabbing him with their bayonets. The veteran
Capt. VIM. S. Willis, Of the same regiment, al
the head Of his company, with three stalwart
sons, who fought at his side, was badly wounded
but still continued the fight, until he was over.
come by the loss of blood
In the meantime, the Indiana brigade, who
were drawn out and ordered to charge the enemy
were seized with panic, and displaying some
hesitation, Assistant Adt Gen. Lincoln rushed
to their front, and whilst upbradng them fol
their cowardice, was shot, several balls passing
through his body. In justice to this brigade i
should be stated, that they subsequently, rallied
and fully redeemed their reputation by the mos
gallant and effective fighting.
Col. Hardin led the lllinoians in very hand
some style, and the sturdy suckers fought like
lions. Their intrepid Colonel fell wounded, and
experienced the fate Of Colonels Mckee ant
, Clay, and was killed by the enemy-not how
ever before he had killed one Of the cowardly
; miscreants with pistol, which he fired willis
lying on the ground.
( Col. Yell led, the foremost man, charge o
S his mounted volunteers against large body o
n lancers, and was killed by lance, which enter
/. ed his mouth and tore off one side Of his face.
h The Missssippans, the heroes Of Monterey
. after doing hard duty as skrmishers, were order
; ed into line TO receive charge OF cavalry, whic
they did with their rifles, delivering the same tim
d a most destructive fire among the crowded col
j. umns Of cavalry. The enemy were completed.
repulsed. The distinguished commander Of thi
gallant regiment, COL Jefferson Davis, was badl
wounded, an escopette ball having entered hi
foot and passing out Of his leg. He was, however
If doing we'll when last heard from. The chival
,. rous Lieut.. COL McClung was prevented from
}, doing his share OF the brave deeds Of this brian
e fight, by the grievous wound received at the ba
:. tie Of Monterey, which still confines him to hi
bed, and from which it is much feared by his be!
d friends he will never recover.
}, Col. Humphrey Marshalls splendid regimen
T. Of Kentucky Cavalry were impatient for an or
IS potunity Of showing their mettle, and avengin
ID the capture of their brethren, then in the hands
A the enemy. They were soon favored with tn
n desired opportunity by the approach Of fore
W OF more than 1000 Lancers and Hussars, VIII
as gallanty charged them. The Kentuckians stoo
!. their ground with immoveable steadiness, and n
l. ceiving the enemy with fire from their carbine
rs charged in the most gallant style through the CO
It. umn on the right, and wheeling, fell on the
D. left, dispensing and killing great many Of then
S. A like charge was made by COL May, at III
n. head Of squadron OF Dragons, and one Of tn
Arkansas Cavalry against large body OF III
enemys Cavalry with like results.
During the engagement on the right, San,
Anna, seeing that Gen. Tayl force was nc
we'll protected on the left flank, sent lare
force of Cavalry around that point, and GU
, thanking Taylor, succeeded in throwing 200
mon into his rear. But Gen. Taylor immed
a,ely sent Capt. Bragg, with his artier!
al in