Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-05-15

could not accomplish the object, being OK.
posed 10 heavy fire from a battery estab-
ished TO cover the retreat of those corps.
While the squadron was detached on this
service, large body of the enemy was
observed TO concentrate on our extreme
left, apparently with the view of making
descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista,
where our train and baggage were depos-
tied. Lieut.. Col. May was ordered to the
support of that point, with two pieces Of
Capt. Sherman's battery under Lieut.. Rey- |
nolds. In the meantime the scattered
forces near the hacienda, composed in part |
of Majors Trail and Germans commands,
had been to some extent organized under
the advice of Major Munroe, chief of ar
tllery, with the assistance of Maj Morri-
son, volunteer staff, and were posted to de-
fend the position. Before our cavalry had
reached the hacienda, that of the enemy
had made its attack, having been hand.
somely met by the Kentucky and Arkan.
sas cavalry uuder Coils. Marshal and Yell
The Mexican column Immediately divided,
one portion sweeping by the depot, where
i, received destructive fire from the force
which had collected there, and then gaining
the mountain opposite, under fire from
Lieut.. Reynolds section, the remaining por-
ton regaining the base of the mountain on
our left. In the charge at Buena Vista,
Col. Yell fell CALAMITY at the head of his
regiment, we also lost Adj,. Vaughan, of
the Kentucky cavalry-a young officer of
much promise. Lieut. Col. May, who had
been rejoined by the squadron of the LIST
dragons, and by portions of the Arkansas
and Indiana troops, under Lieut. Col.
Roane and Maj German, now approached
the base of the mountain. holding in check
the right flank of the enemy, upon whose
masses, crowded in the narrow gorges and
ravines, our artillery was doing fearful ex-
ecution.
The position of that portion of the Mex
lean army which had gained our rear was
|, now very critical. and it seemed doubtful
whether it could regain the main body
At this moment received from Gen. San
ia Anna message by staff officer. desi-
ring to know what l wanted. | immedi
ately despatched Brig. Gen. Wool to the
to cease firing. Upon reaching the Mex.
enemy TO cease their fire, and accordingly
returned without having an interview
The extreme right Of the enemy continued
their retreat along the base of the noun
tain, and finally. in spite of all our efforts,
effected junction with the remainder Of
the army.
During the day. the cavalry of Gen. Mi
non had assembled the elevated plain above
Saltillo, and occupied the road from the
city to the field of battle, where they in
tercepted several of our men. Approach.
ing the town, they were fired upon by
Capt. Webster, from the redoubt occupied
by his company, and then moved off to-
wards the eastern side of the valley, and
r obliquely towards Buena Vista. At this
time, Capt. Shower moved rapidly forward
with his piece, supported by miscellane
Gus command of mounted volunteers, and
fired several shots at the cavalry with great
: effect. They were driven into the ravines
; which led to the lower valley, closely pur-
sued by Capt. Shower. who was further
supported by piece of Capt. Websters
battery under Lieut.. Donaldson, which had
, advanced from the redoubt, supported by
Capt. Wheeler's company Illinois volun.
teers. The enemy made one or two efforts
to charge the artillery. but was finally dri.
ven back in a confused mass, and did moi
appear again upon the plain.
In the meantime, the firing had partially
!, ceased upon the principal field. The enc
my seemed to confne his efforts TO the
: protection of his artillery, and | had left
the plateau for moment, when | was re-
= called thilhcr by very heavy musketry
fire. On reganing that position, dscov,
j cred that our infantry illinois and I'd Ken.
tucky) had engaged greatly superior force
of the enemy-evidently his reserves
that they had been overwhelmed by mum
bers. The moment was most critical
: Capt. O'Brien, with two pieces, had sus
;, tanned this heavy charge to the last, and
j was finally obliged to leave his guns on the
fcld--his infantry support being entirely
routed. Captain Bragg, who had jus, ar
= rived from the left, was ordered at once in.
Z c to battery. Without any infantry TO sup
! port him, and the imminent risk of losing
J. his guns, this officer came rapidly into &C
:, ton, the Mexican line being but few
: yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The
first discharge of canister caused the enc
my TO hesitate, the second and third drove
him back in disorder, and saved the day
!. The Cd Kentucky regiment, which had ad
u vanced beyond supporting distance in this
u affair, was driven back and closely pressed
n by the enemy's cavalry. Taking ravin,
9 which led in the direction Of Capt. Wash
D. ington's battery, their pursuers become ex
&c posed TO his fire. which soon checked ant
y drove them back with loss. In the mea,
e time the rest Of our artillery had taken pc
d si,ion on the plateau, covered by the Mis-
d sissippi and Sd Indiana regiments, the for