The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-25
ed two more fires on the enemy before he reached the
guns All which is respectfully submitted
mo p j. OBRlEN,
Captain U s A., Comdg Detachment Art
To Captain j. Nj WASHINGTON,
Comd'g Company b, 4th Art

To Captain J. M. WAsnINcroN
Comdg Company b, 4th Art
REDouBr AT SALrILLo Feb 81 ls47
MAJOR; have the honor to report, for the nforma-
ton OF the commanding general that as soon as the &C
ton commenced at Buena Vista on the morning oil the
e3d inst large body OF the eneinys cavalry (supposed
about eighteen hundred) under General Minon, ief the
position they had occupied during the night, and began
to move up near the base OF the mountains 10 my eil APP
the encampment my right, and at the same time to
place themselves in the OF the army. As soon as
they came within range OF my guns, opened from both
of nv "a FOUNDER howitzers Which caused them some
loss and horses, and drove them beyond the reach
of my shot They succeeded, however, in occupying
the road between the army and the town, where they
manned for some hours picking up such straggers as at
tempted TO leave the field and gain the city Between
two and three O'clock they began to move, apparently
with the design of gaining their former positions and
they could pass entirely beyond the range of the guns
of the edoub ordered one out under the command OF
Lieut. Donaldson, supported BY Capt Wheeer's compa,
ny OF Illinois volunteers, with directions TO advance and
take position to annoy the enemy, but not TO go
beyond supporting distance OF the remaining IN the
redoubt Lieut. Shower also advanced one 6.pounder
from the camp, and both guns took such position as 10
flank each other, and at the same time reach the enemy
brisk fire then opened with fine effect driving them
with great precipitation and considerable loss up The base
of the mountain along which they skirted, I'LL they gam
ed the position they first occupied on the PLAN near the
rancho de los Centos where they apparently encamped
for the night Next morning at daylight they were seen
crossing the mountains, through the Paomas pass since
which they have not shown themselves on the Saltlo
! PLAIN.
loss must have amounted to fifty or sixty men and one
captain, while no one was injured on our side
81 TSf! @ GGtaeoa edou
Mai MuNRoE, Chief of Artillery.
Aqua NuEvA March ., lS47.
SIR: Having been directed to report the operations OF
my light battery during the action of the 22d and Esd OF
February have the honor to state, that the acton OF
the odd having been confined to the skirmshng of in
fanry on the left flank OF our line of battle, the battery
was not brought into action on that day. remaining III re-
short distance IN rear OF our hne Early on Inc
morning of the 23d Lieutenant Thomass section took
position upon the plateau our eit a6-pounder under
Lieutenant Thomas, in support OF the right oil brigade
OF infantry and l2.pounder howzer under Lleutenan
French support of it's left Soon after this section had
taken position the action became general upon tins
flank, and indeed throughout the line; and my reserve
section ordered up and took position on the right OF
Lieutenant Thomass piece-three pieces of my battery
forming the right of line OF artillery, having captain
Braggs battery in the centre, and one OF my on
the ehe brigade of infantry having changed It's posi-
ton during the first part OF the action so as now TO be
engaged on the TANKS of the artillery The action was
here kept up with intense warmth, the enemy making
many efforts to sweep from the plateau, with the
evident intention OF gaming possession oil te oy pac
tcabe passage for his artillery across that flank OF our
line Though the plateau held in spite OF the des
perae efforts of the enemy to gam it, yet by closely mug
gng the mountain our left he succeeded IN crossing
large of cavalry and infantry over that part OF our
line, and thus seriously threatened IN rear our most
important positions. Here crochet IN rear with It's
left resting Buena Vista, having been hastily formed
for the purpose of repusng these rear attacks was Or
dered with section of my battery, round to ITS support
6-pounder, under Lieutenant Reynolds was eitlor Inc
Immediate support of brigade of infantry, composed OF
the Mississippi and Sd Indiana regiments forming the
right of the crochet, whilst moved forward with u
FOUNDER howtzer to disperse large body OF lnlah ha
had sought shelter from fire in gorge of the noun
tain in my immediate front. This infantry having been
dispersed and sent up the mountain, then took the
howitZer round to the immediate support OF me lSSs
spp and Sd Indiana MISUNDERSTANDING Reynoldss
piece having been removed by Colonel May for the sup
port of his squadron the left of the crochet Here
would that Lieutenant French having been severely
wounded early in the action his detached piece e nto
the hands of Lieutenant Garrett 4h artillery, who con-
Quoted it with great ability until Joined Lieutenant Key
nods his way to the support OF Buena Vista Al
though Lieutenant Reynolds did not reach that place with
his two pieces in time to assist IN repusng the serious
attack made upon it, yet he was enabled to BRING up
and his guns, to efectnay dispense large
body of ancers which had still held together and show
ed firm front the left OF the place The enemy
having utterly failed in his attacks upon Buena VISTA and
upon the left OF the crochet he made another desperate
effort to get possession of the key of position, by
charging, with heavy column Of ancers, the right
formed by the Mississippi and 81 Indiana regiments
and nv IL FOUNDER howtZer This column with
body Of infantry, opened such CALLING fire, as
would almost slagger the best of troops. The brig
ade of infantry very ludiciously fell back short
distance to obtain advantageous position to receive
the charge: the movement being covered by my
howitzer. The proper position having been secured
deadly fire was opened upon, the column by the
line of infantry, which al hurled 1t INTO the deep
ravine below The unwavering lmness and deadly lre
OF the Mississippi regiment on this occasion showed
them equal 10 the most veteran cHolt vi
the enemy having failed he compelled to retreat be-
fore the forward movement of the troops forming the
crotchet who gradually wheeled TO the right closing up
on his dsoganzed Masses and driving hun back before
sharp fire of canister and shell from my battery sup
ported by that of Capt Bragg the left, and pieces
under Leuts OBrien and Thomas upon the plateau on
right During this movement the several parts OF the
crotche before separated by deep ravnes and gulleys
closed upon each other permitting the two pieces
under Lieut. Reynolds to now JOIN me. After having
completely dispersed and driven the enemy into his old
position, directed to take my battery back to the
plateau where | joined Lieut.. Thomas, who had been
constantly engaged during the forenoon the peserva
ton of that important position, and whom found close
y engaged with the enemy and that too IN very adj
vanced position Here the enemy, taking another stand
again made his greatest efforts to sweep us IRON the pa
teau-the battle raging hot as The whole OF my
battery supported by Capt Braggs and by the Mssis
during the of the day. The position preserved
and my battery bvouacked upon advanced position OF
the plateau during the night The enemy, having
hausted himself in his efforts TO carry positions
tired during the night with an immense loss.
| | cannot close without taking pride in mentioning the
and hearty operation given by nearly every
member of the company The services of Lieut. French
regret TO say were lost early in the day but his
wound at,ests the zeal with which he entered upon the
field Lieus. Thomas and Reynolds behaved nobly
throughout the action, and their GOODNESS and rmness
contributed not little to the success of the day. Eleu
Thomas than sustained the reputation he has long
enjoyed in his regiment accurate and scientific ar
| tllerist
also regard it my duty TO bring TO the notice OF the
commanding general Sergeant Swaine and Artfcer Aus
TIM whose services stood conspicuous during the day
the result of both distinguished skill and bravery.
enclose herewith report of the casualties which
in the battery during the actlo