Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-04-23
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
|,.r.l Taylor's Detailed Report Of the
gs.pouARrERs ARMr OF OCCUPATION,

X, II nave tHc HOHoi W SuUuiil q uetdiicu iS-
,ilhe operations OF The forces under my com.
b which resulted in the engagement OF Bue-
rraa the repulse of the Mexican army, and
occupation OF this position.
+. information which reached me Of the add
(, and concentration OF heavy Mexican
|. in nv front, had assumed such probable
! as 10 induce special examination far be-
& The reach of our pickets to ascertain its
,,lness. A small party Of Texan spies, I'M
Mai. McCulloch, despatched TO the Hacien-
|, Encarnacion, 80 miles from this, on the
|. 10 San Luis Potosi, had reported cavalry
4 Of unknown strength al that place. On The
Of February strong reconnaissance under
d. Col. May was despatched to the HACIENDA
3scionda, while Maj. McCulloch made .aro-
examination OF Encarnacion. Tbsl.ssu D. OF
expeditions lefl no doubt that ,feaeUc W
in large force at Encarnacion, n der the o.
Of Gen. Santa Anna, aud that h, nedilate'l
,ward movement and attack aptn our posi-
,be Camp of Aqua Nueva could be, turned
.ilber flank, and as the enemy's force was
liz superior 10 our own, particularly IN The
Of cavalry, determined, AFTER much CT nsi.
ca. and there await the attack. The ar ~
lie up'ss camp and marched at noon on e
encampng al The new position, alliule !
OF the Hacienda of Buena Vista. with a
N force proceeded TO Sallillo, 10 intake some
{,ssary arrangements for the defenice Of the
i, leaving Brig. Gn. Wool in the in4mediats
kmand Of the troops 90
f.nre those arrangements were, completed on
morning of The 22d, was advised that the
ar was in sight, adyaning. .Ugsss esf aching
ground, i, was found lRt ry ad,
&c was in our 'front.' having rs az SYN En-
acop, as we have since learnss clock
be day previous, and driving iR-ssS.. unted
!. lei, at Aqua Nueva, to cover t6JN Aoval
as!ia stores. Our troops were in post oc.
King a line of remarka bl strength. The
a. this point becomes narrow dehle' lie
ey Of its right being rendered quite impracli
for artillery by system of deep and i'm.
able eulies, while on The left succession Of
led ridges and precipi.ous favines extends fal
towards the mountain which bounds The val.
The features of the ground were such as
10 paralyzs the artillery and cavalry Of the
Nv. while his infantry could not derive all The
a,age Of its numerical superiority. In this
lien we prepared 10 receive him. Captain
,hington's battery (4lh artillery was posted
bmmand the road, while the ist and ID Illinois
:, ais under Colonies Hardin and Bissell,
eight companies, 10 The latter OF which was
med Captain Corners company Of Texas
a.eers,) and the % Kentucky under Col. Me-
occupied the cresis Of the ridges on the left
10 rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regi-
sol cavalry, commanded BY Colonies Yell
Il. Marshall, occupied the extreme left near
base Of The mountain, while the Indiana brig
under Brigadier General Lane, Composed OF
}. and Sd regiments under Colonies Bowles
Laae) The Mississippi rifemen under Colo
Davis, the squadrons oil the Isl and I'd dra-
IS under Captain Sleen and Lieutenant Col.
s. and the light batteries of Captains Sher-
and Bragg, Sd artillery, were held in re-
L. AT IL o'clock received from General
IA Anna summons 10 surrender at discre-
which, with copy of my reply, have al
transmitted. The enemy still forbore his
s evidently waiting for the arrival of his
columns, which could be distinctly seen by
ook-ous as they approached the field. A
pnsraon made on his LEFT, caused me to de
The second Kentucky regiment, and a Sec
uf artillery 10 our right, in which posi-
Ebey bivouacked Tor The night. In the mean
ne Mexican lish troops had engaged ours
e extreme lett, composed Of parts OF The
lckv and Arkansas ca q. lrp A;n,.,..'. - Il -
battalion rom The lnuiana orisaoe, unueI
German, the whole commanded by Colonel
baall,) and kept up sh rp fire, climbing the
n.ain side, and apparently endeavorins TO
our flank. Three pieces OF Capt. Wash
MS battery had been detached TO the left, and
supported by the 2I Indiana regiment. An
sional shell was thrown by the enemy into
par. Of our line, but without effect. The
nishins OF the light troops was kept up with
o. loss on our part until dark, when became
inced that no serious attack would be made
Re The morning, and returned with the Mis-
ppi regiment and squadron of d dragons 10
tlo. The troops bivouacked without fires,
laid upon their arms A body of cavalry
1900 Stronghold been visible all day in
Of The town, having entered the valley lhro'
row pass east OF The city. This cavalry,
nandej BIZ Gen. Minon, had evidently been
va in our rear 10 break up and harrass our
al, and perhaps make some attempt against
prn il practicable. The city was occupied
lr excellent companies OF illinois volunteers
Maj. Warren of the first regiment. A
work, which commanded most of the ap-
:hss, was garrisoned by Captain Webster's
pany, Isl artillery, and armed with two "a
howilzers, while the train and headquarter
was guarded by two companies Mississip-
iemen under Capt. Rogers, and field piece
handed by Capt. Shower, Sd artillery. Hav-
made these dispositions for the protection OF
ear, proceeded on the morning OF the 23d
lena Visa, ordering forward all the other
able troops. The action had commenced
Re my arrival on the field.
uring the evening and night Of the 22d, the
BY had thrown body of ligh. troops on the
,lan side, with The purpose of oulaanking
sh; and it was here lha, The action Of the
commenced at an early hour. Our riflemen
Col. Marshall, who had been reinforced by
companies under Maj Trail, Cd Illinois 70.
Ms, maintained the ground handsomely
ha a greatly superior force, holding them
under cover, and using their weapon:
deadly effect. About o'clock strong de
STATION was made against the centre OF ou
On heavy column moving along the road
force was soon dispersed by few rapit
well.direcled shots from Captain Washing
battery. In the meantime the enemy was
snralng large force OF infantry and caval'
pder cover of the ridges, with the obvious in.
lcn Of forcing our lett, which was posted on
Intensive plateau. The ID Indiana and ID
,s regiments formed this part OF our line
o'mer covering three pieces light artillery
The orders OF Captain O,Brien-Brigadier
kll Lane being in immediate command. In
10 bring his men within effective range,
s'al Lane ordered the artillery aud ID lndi-
issimeul forward. The artillery advanced
10 musket range of heavy body of Next
Infantry, and was served against il with
'.deci, bu. without being able 10 check its
Pnce. The infantry ordered 10 its support
allen back in disorder, being exposed, as
as The battery, not only to severe fire OF
arms from the front, bur also TO murder.
s'oss-hre OF grape aud canister from Mexi-
battery on The left Captain O'Brien found
possible 10 retain his position without sup
ou' was only able 10 Withdraw two Of his
., a! The horses and cannoneers OF the third
being killed or disabled. The Cd Indiana
Iens. which had fallen back as stated, could
rallied, and took no further part in the &C.
except a handful Of men, who, under its gal
Colonel, Bowles, Joined the Mississippi re-
sn, and did good service, and those fogi,ives
ala later period in the day, assisted 10 de-
'cs lhe train and depot al Buena VISTA -
POTION Of our line having given way, and
sueny appearing in overwhelming force
ss our leit dans, the light troops which had
s.ea such good service on the mountain,
compelled 10 withdraw, which they did, for
Aoa Part, in good order Many, however,
a% rallied until they reached The depot al
= VISA. TO the defence Of which they afler-
Aconiributed.
sonel Bisselrs regiment, (2nd Illinois, which
S.n joined by section of Captain Sher'
;, gallery; had become completely oulhank
- ~ vas compelled 10 ia.l back, being entire