Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-24

ordered up the deep avne which these ereang corps
cndeayonng to cross IN order TO charge and dspese them
The squadron proceeded to the point Indicated but could
accomplish the object, being exposed heavy fire from
battery established the retreat of those corps While
the squadron detached this service large body the
enemy was observed TO concentrate extreme left APP
parenty with The view OF making descent upon the hacen
da OF Bueha VISTA where train and baggage depos
tied. Lieut. Col May ordered to the support of that
point with two pieces OF Capt Sherman battery under Lieut.
Reynolds, Ia the time the scattered forces near the
hacienda composed in part of Majors Trail and Germans
commands had been 10 organized under the adj
vice OF MAJOR Munoe chief of artillery with the assistance
of Major Morrison, volunteer staff and posted defend
the position Before our cavalry had reached the hacienda
that Of the enemy had made its attack having been hand
somcy by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under
Coils Marshall and Yell. The Mexican column immediate
divided portion sweeping by the depot where
ed destructive fire from the force which had collected there
and then gaining the mountain opposite, under fire from
Lieut. Reynolds section, the remaining portion regainng the
base OF the mountain our left. In the charge Buena
Vista Col Yell fell CALAMITY the head of his regiment
also lost Adutant Vaughan, of the Kentucky cavalry young
officer of much promise Lieut. Col May, who had been
eoned by the squadron Of the ls Dragons and by portions
Of the Arkansas and Indiana troops under Lieut. COL Roane
and Major Gorman approached the base of the mountain
holding in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose
crowded IN the narrow goge and raynes are
ry doing fearful execution.
The position of that portion of the Mexican army which
had gaied our very critical, and II seemed
doubtful whether il could regain the main BODY At this mo-
ment received from Gen Santa Anna message by staff
officer desiring to know what wanted Immediately dis
patched Brig Gen. Wool the Mexican General in chief
and sent orders to firing Upon reaching the Mexican
lines Gen. Wool could the enemy their fire.
and accordingly returned without having interview. The
extreme right Of the enemy continued its along the base
Of the mountain and, finally in spite of all efforts effect
cd junction with the remainder of the army ,..s
During the day. the cavalry Of Gen Mnou had assembled the
elevated plain above ao and occupied the road from the city
to the field Of battle where they intercepted several of
Approaching the town they fired ufon by Capt Web
from the redoub occupied by his company and then
ed of towards the eastern side of the valley and ohquey
wards Buena Vista At this time Capt Shower moved rapid
y forward with his piece supported by miscellaneous
mand OF mounted volunteers and fired several shots at the
cavalry with great effect They driven into the
which lead the lower valley closely pursued by Capt sho
who further supported bya piece of Capt Webstes
battery, under Lieut. Donaldson, which had advanced from
the edoub, supported by Capt Wheeiers company Illinois
volunteers The enemy made two efforts to charge
the artillery, but was finally driven back in confused mass
and did not again appear upon the plain. f..
In the time the firing had partially ceased upon the
principal field The enemy seemed to confne his efforts
the protection Of his artillery, and had left the plateau for
moment, when was recalled hither by very heavy
kerry fire. On regainng that position, discovered that
infantry (Inois and ID Kentucky had engaged greatly
superior force of the enemyevdenty his that
they had been overwhelmed by numbers The moment
most critical Capt Bren with pieces had sustained
this heavy charge the last and finally ged leave
bis guns the 6eld-his infantry support being entirely
routed Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left
was ordered at into battery Without any infantry
support him, and at the imminent risk of losing his guns
this officer rapidly into action, the Mexican line being
but few yards from the muzze Of his pieces The first dis
charge n canister caused the enemy hesitate the second
and third drove him hack in disorder and saved the day. The
ID Kentucky regiment which had advanced beyond support
ing distance in this ai driven back and closely pressed
by the enemys cavalry Taking rayne which led in the
direction of Captain Washngons battery their pursuers be-
exposed 10 his fire, which checked and drove them
back with loss In the time the rest of artillery had
taken position the plateau, covered by the Mississippi and
In1a Al.
ground in time TO pour fire into the right flank Of the
my and thus contribute TO his repuse In this last conflict
we had the misfortune to sustain very heavy loss. Colonel
Hardin ls Illinois, aud Colonel Mckee and Lieutenant Co
lionel Clay, I'd Kentucky regiments fell this while
calamity heading their commands. g.. +. ~
No further attempt male by the enemy force our
position and the approach of the night gave opportunity
to proper attention the wounded and also refresh
soldiers who had been exhausted by ncessant wachuness
and combat Though the night severely cold the troops
compelled for the bvouack without fires expect
ing that morning would renew the conflict During the night
the wounded were removed TO Sao aud every preparation
made to receive the enemy should he again attack position
Seven fresh companies drawn from the town. and Bga
der General Marshall who had made forced march from the
Rnconada, with reinforcement Of Kentucky cavalry and four
heavy guns under Captain Prentiss, artillery
hand when discovered that the enemy had abandoned
his position during the night Our ascerianed
that he had fallen back upon Aqua Nueva The great dis
parity OF numbers and the exhaustion of troops rendered
inexpedient and hazarious attempt pursuit. staff Off
was dispatched General Santa Anna negotiate
exchange of prisoners which satisfactorily completed on
the following day Our dead collected and buried
and the Mexican wounded, Of which larger number had
been left upon the field removed SalGo and render
ed as comfortable circumstances would permit.
On the evening of the 26h, close reconnaissance was
made OF the enemys position, which found be
pied only by small body Of cavalry, the infantry and arle
~ having reiterated in the direction Of San Luis Poosi On
The 9th, troops resumed their former camp at Aqua
Nueva the enemys rcaguard evacuang the place as we
approached, leaving considerable number of wounded IL
purpose beat up his quarters Encanacon early
the next morning, but upon examinations the weak condition
Of the cavalry horses rendered unadvisabe attempt so long
a march without command was finally dispatched
to Encarnacon the LIST Of March, under Col Belknap
Some two hundred wounded and about sixty Mexican SOL
ders foun there, the army having passed on in the d.
recon Of Matehual, with greatly reduced numbers and su
ing much from hunger. The dead and dying stewed
upon the road and crowded the buildings of the hacienda
The American force engaged in the action Of Buena Vista
shown, by the accompanying field report have been 33l
officers aud 4425 men, exclusive Of the small command left
and SalIo OF this number squadrons Of cavalry
and three batteries Of light artillery, making than
433 men, composed the only force of regular troops The
strength oil the Mexican stated by Gen. Anna
IN his summons To I've 20 000 and that estimate confirmed
by all the information since Obtained Our loss 267 killed.
100 wounded, and % missing OF the wounded,
many did not require removal to the hospital and hoped
that comparatively small number will he permanently dis
abed The Mexican loss in killed and wounded may fair
y estimated at 1880, and will probably reach 1000. At
least 800 OF their killed left upon the field Of battle We
have Of asceanng the number of deserers and
dispersed men from their ranks, but it is known be very
great.