The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-05-01

had been detached to the left, an
were supported by the second Indian
regiment. An occasional shell wa
thrown by the enemy into this part o
j, our line, but without effect. The skier
mishing Of the light troops was kept u
q with trifiing loss on our part until dark
e when ] became convinced that no Sc
: rious attack would be made before tn,
|, morning, and returned with the Mis-
i sissippi regiment and squadron Of q
dragons 10 Saltillo. The troops bi
. vouacked without fires, and laid upor
their arms. A boldly Of cavalry some
1900 strong, had been visible all day
in rear Of the town, having entered
the valley through a pass east of the
city. This cavalry commanded by
Gen. Minon, had evidently been throw wn
in our rear TO break up and harrass
our retreat, and perhaps make some
attempt against the town II practicable,
The city was occupied by four excel.
lent companies of lllinoise volunteers
under Major Warren of the lst regi-
ment. A field work which command
ed most of the approaches, was garri-
soned by Capt. Webster's company,
Isl artillery, and armed with two a.
pound howitzers, while the train and
headquarter camp was guarded by two
companies Mississippi riAemen under
Capt. Rogers, aud field piece CON-
manded by Capt. Shower, Sd artillery.
Having made these dispositions for
the protection Of the rear, proceeded
on the morning Of the Esd 10 Buena
Vista, ordering forward all other avail
able troops. The action had COM
menced before my arrival on the field.
During the evening and night of the
27d the enemy had thrown body of
light troops on the mountain side, with
the purpose Of outflanking our left; and
it was here that the action Of the 23d
commenced at an early hour. Our ri.
Aemen under Colonel Marshall, who
had been reinforced by three compa-
MES under Major Trail, % Illinois vol
unteers, maintained the ground hand
somly against agreatly superior force
holding themselves under cover, and
using their weapons with deadly effect.
About 8 o'clock strong demonstra-
ton was made against the center of
our position, heavy column mooving
along the road. This force was soon |
dispersed by few rapid and we'll d.
rected shots from Captain Washing.
ington's battery. In the meantime
the enemy was concentrating large
force finfantry and cavalry under GOV.
er fthe ridges, with the obvious in.
tention Of forcing our left, which was
posted on an extensive platau. The Cd
Indiana and ed Illinois regiments formed
this partof our line, the former covering
three pieces Of light artillery under
the orders Of Capt. O'Brien-B Brigadler
General Lane being in the immediate
command. In order to bring his men
within effective range, General Lane
ordered the artillery and I'd Indiana
regiment forward. The artillery ad.
vanced within musket range Of heavy
body Of Mexican infatry, and was SER I
we'd against it with great effect, but
without its being able to check its ad. b
vance. The infantry ordered t. lis /
support had fallen back in disorder, be- Z
ng exposed, as well as the battery, 9
lot only to severe fire Of small arms I
rom the front, but also to a murderous +
:ross FIRE Of grape and canister from a G
Mexican battery on the left. Captain I
JBrien found it impossible to retain b
lis position without support, but was |
'nly able to withdraw two of his pie. {
;es. all the horses and the cannoneers c
# the third piece being killed or disa. r
lied. The Cd Indianna regiment, !,
which had fallen back as stated, could f
lot be rallied, and took no further part q
n the action, except a handful of men, d
Who, under its gallant Colonel, Bowels, d
oined the Mississippi regiment, and o
lid good service, and those fugatives c
Who, at later period in the day, as g
listed in defending the train and depot v
t Buena Vista. This portion Of our 4
inc having given way, and the enemy m
ppearing in overwhelming force a. h
ainst our left flank, the light troops u
which had rendered such good service A
n the mountain were compelled to L
withdraw, which they did, for the most m
art, in good order. Many, however, m
we're not rallied until they reached fl
ne depot at Buena Vista, to the de- es
snce Of which they, afterwards con- re
ributed. s'7ai 1N 'Eisi'tg e,
Colonel Bissell's regiment Of (2d II.
nois,) which had been joined by a M
,ction Of Captain Sherman's battery, re
ad become completely outfIanked. and dt