The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-13


for duty under instructions from the General chief,
whilst my own division moving over the mountain
s ana, the enemy was in large force On the
lery commanding the only road through vast plain OF
broken volcanic stone and lava, rent into deep chasms
under his direct fire resolved to give HIM battle For
this purpose, ordered General Twggs advance with
his timely disciplined division and with brigade
assault the enemys works in 'front.' and with the other to
his left flank, and assa it in reverse Captain Ma
gruders fine field battery and Lieutenant Callenders
howtzer battery (boh OF which constitute part of my
Twiggs.
This officer, in executing my order of attack, d.
recfcd Brevet Brgader General Smith to with his
with his was ordered to turn his left, and assai him
rear. To sustain these movements Brigader General
Cadwaader was ordered to advance with his brigade and
support Colonel Riley, and Brgadier General Pierce with
enemys 'front.' under Brigader General Smith This last
command was soon closely engaged with the enemy,
Colonel Reys command, having now crossed the vast,
broken up PLAIN OF lava passing the village the right,
and whist IN the act OF turning the enemys left
confronted by several thousand ancers who advanced to
the charge, when wel-dreced fire from the brigade
twice compelled them to fall back in disorder under
cover OF their artillery About this time Brigader Cen
era Cadwaladers command had also crossed the plain,
when some 5000 or 5000 troops of the enemy were OBJ
he Col G Moan wh his large and fine
regiment, which had caused to be detached from the
rear OF Perces brigade was ordered to the support
of Cadwaader by direction Of the General in chief, who
had now arrived upon the field.
This general having discovered this large force moving
upon his right flank and to the with decided military
tact and prompude threw back his right wing and con-
fronted the enemy with the intention to give him battle,
Notwithstanding his overwhelming force.
This portion of the enemys force moved steadily for
ward until conflict seemed inevitable, when Col Nor
gans regiment, having reached this part of the field pre-
scented front formidable 10 induce the enemy to
change his purpose, and draw off to the right and rear Of
his former position
During all this time, the battle ragged fercely between
the other portions of the two armies, with constant
and destructive fire of artillery Magruder's battery,
from its prominent position, was much disabled by the
heavy shot OF the enemy, as were also Callenders how
tiers part OF the enemys artillery had been turned
upon Rley's command, whilst actively engaged with
large bodies of lancers but these combined attacks
could only delay the purpose OF the gallant old veteran
and his noble brigade
with General Shields brigade of Misunderstanding
OF the New York and South Carolina regiments
them 70 move up to the support of the forces under Brig
Gen. Cadwalader; but it had now grown late in the
evening, that Gen. Shields did get into position until
after dark; Night having come bu not until entire
y dark this fierce conflict was suspended to be renewed
The battle all this day was conducted under my imme
diate orders, and within my views short time before
forces at my disposal myself and staff started to cross
the plain to join in the terrible struggle on the immediate
field of action.
On my way thither, was joined by Brig Gen. Twiggs
and staff but the darkness of the night rendered still
more obscure by heavy rain, caused us TO miss way
through the brokenup lava and to wander to the close
neighborhood of the works of the enemy; and not
until the shrll blasts of his buges apprized us OF our
position, that we became satisfied we could not reach,
during the night destination. We then returned, and
reported to the General in-chief
During the night Brig Gen Smith disposed the forces
present. to renew the action at daylight, and complete
the original order of attack; before dark however, the
enemy had placed two pieces of artillery on height
nearly west OF Cadwaladers position, which had opened
with, several discharges upon his forces. Brig Gen
up the ravne to the rear of the enemys position,
tobe within easy turning distance OF his left ank-leav
ing Col Ransom with the 9th and 18th infantry TO make
strong diversion in front The day being sufficiently
advanced the order was given by Brig Gen Smith for
the general assault; when, Gen. Smiths command upon
supported BY Gen Cadwalader with his command moved
up with the utmost gaantry under the furious fire from
the enemys batteries, which were Immediately carried
generals, with 20 out of the original % pieces of artillery
and large amount OF ammunition and public property;
The Ietreating enemy was compelled to pass through
severe fire. both from the assaultng forces and Cadwa
aders brigade, as well as Shields command, who had
remained at the position occupied by the former general
e e. Ea the 81 a
engaged at this place. including the renforcemens of the
preceding evening" constituted force OF about 5000 men,
5000 OF whom cavalry the whole were under the
immediate command OF General Santa Anna in person,
assisted by Generals Valencia, Salas, Banco, Mendoza
Garcia and Others the last four mentioned were taken
prisoners.
Our forces consisting Of my division, Generals Twiggs
and Shields commands, amounted to about 1900 men.
The loss of the enemy, nearly ascertain was
between 500 and 1000 men Killed and wounded, and
500 prisoners including the four generals previously
toned four coonels thirty captains, and many officers OF
inferior grades
The reports of the different corps engaged in this part
OF the battle, which temporarily under my. com
mand being properly made to their respective chiefs, and
not having come before me, / unable to give our
loss Though many brave and gallant souls have fallen,
it believed, however, when the strength of the enemys
position his enormously heavy artillery, and his superior
forces, considered loss is comparatively small 1t
matter of just pride and exultaon that, among the
guns captured in the batteries the two pieces taken
b. the Mexican army al Buena Vista, belonging to Capt.
Washingtons battery, lat that battle under the i'm
m diate command Of Captain OBrien } and it is less
honor of recapturng them belong the dth regiment Of
artillery, OF which Captain Washingtons company ioms
a part.
Throughout this engagement every corps engaged the
enemy wherever he met, with the most determined
resolution and behaved with degree Of galanry rarely
equaled-certalny never surpassedin any engagement
known to the American arms Brigader General Twggs,
next in command TO myself and charged with the mme-
date execution of my order of battle distinguished
by the judgment, prOmpude, and courage displayed by
him throughout the engagement.
Brgadier General Smith, the senior officer who remain
ed across the plain and disposed the forces Tor the final
assault deserves and will doubtless the thanks
OF the army and the honor due the consistency of pur
pose and daring which distinguished his conduct this
great occasion. Brig Gen. Cadwalader displayed great
judgment and high military skill and heroic courage in
the manner in which he met the sudden and trying
gency, when all parties great anxiety for the
safety OF his comparatively small command; when about
e De assaulted by the overwhelming renforcemens of the
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