Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-15
From the ~ o. Della.
Battle of Ruena VISTA

rhite horSe-Battle Of The 22d February Death .
Colonel Mckee, Col. Clay, Col. Hardin, Adjuian
General Lincoln, Col Yea. Capt. WfRis-Colone
MarshaLs charge-Tze gallant Mississippians-
Generol Tdylor's tett flank furned-Denaand 10 SIR
reader-KiLled and loounded- lHnons discoza ftstre
We had the pleasure Of iatervieY on Friday will
Major Coffee OF the Army, who brought over Geu TAYLOR,
General fought bravey on the Plains Of Cbslmete
and in various other battles by the side of e. iustou
Jekson-aced as the Aid Of Gen. Taylor bloody fight
at Buena Vista We greatly indebted him for many
particulars Of this hard-lought battle.
General Taylor had fallen in love- FIRST sight with the
position at which he fuay made his Buena Vista
His movement towards Aqua merely a Tuse to
decOy the enemy into the field which he had selected for his
battle-ground As soon McCuloch's men, who were in
valuable scouts Informed him approach
TO Aqua Nueva General Taylor quietly up his camp,
and fell back to his first love-Buena Vista This position
was admirably chosen. Ii the foot Of mountain
rather Of mountains, which ran The road
through narrow valley. On his right deep
ravhe which protected that flank more eectuay than half
dozen regiments could have DONE The left Of General
Tayor's line rested the base Of The
IN The centre was entenched and defended by strong
terry 10 iont the ground was uneven-broken into hills
and deep ravines well adapted the mode Of fighting
suited TO our volunteers and by its pecuaies supply
the disadvantage Of great infeTiOriiy Of numbers
On the 2zd the enemy deserted approaching over the
distant hills At their appearance the volunteers raised
great shout sne gave three tremendous cheers Their
engineers and officers flying the field
dragging their about gs them into position; but
the nature of the ground did favor undertaking
IL late in the day before the guns began to open
The enemy had with them thiFIy-two cannon mostly of
large calibre The fire. though kept up very brisky and
apparently well Manned did little execution in our ranks
that 1t was not considered necessary fie
Our cannon therefore silent the whole Eight
ten killed and wounded the extent of the casualties
sus.sed by our army the 22d During the day officer
approached lines with flag of truce requested
be shown General Taylor The brave old man was sit
ting quietly on his old white charger with his leg over the
pomme Of the saddle, watching movements of the enc
my when The Mexican officer was presented In very
courteous and graceful the officer stated that he
had been sent by has Exceency Gen. Santa Anna his
manner, what he General Taylor waiting for From
the silence Of General TaylOr batteries and the quiet
in which he received Annals terrific cannonadng
the Mexican supposed he asking very pertinent que
ton, To which, old Rough
pertinent reply thar he was only waiting for General Santa
Anna 10 surrender" The Mexican returned hastily his
lines This proved be ascertain where
General Tsyor's position was for the return Of the
Mexican officer TO his ranks the whole Mexican battery
seemed open upon General Tayors position balls
flew and about him like hail Utterly Indifferent 10
the pers OF his situation there sat the old chief his
conspicuous white horse peeng through his spy glass
long lines of Mexican troops that could great
distance the The persuasion Of his aids could not
induce him to abandon his favorable point for
nor TO give up his old while horse 10 the suggestion of
his staff that old whitley rather too conspicuous a
charger for the commander he replied that the old fellow
had missed the un at Monterey, account Of foot
and he determined he should have his
AT sunrise the 23d February the battle began in cam
est The Mexicans were drawn out in immense numbers
The dark columns of infantry extended far
could reach, and the cavalry seemed the
with their ntermnable lines. At intervals between the
large artillery force, kept
our lines Their forces motion. Our artillery
was thrown forward meet ihem protected by the vOun
teers- General Wool led body per son,
seen every where rayng and encouraging the volunteers
The two armies were engaged in hot conflict The
broken nature Of the ground divided the forces that
PEELED in great fight hook Our off,
GERS we've always IN the advance, leading their rOOpshence
the great mortality among them. In this general melee
of small regiments, men, by
whole Mexican brigade Of several thousand Thus the |
Kentucky infantry attacked at the foot Of HILL 10
number Of the officers killed here-amons them was
Col Mckee, who fell badly wounded and Immediately
despatched by the enemy pierced him bay
nets he lay the ground Lieutenant Colonel Clay
shot through the thigh and being unable walk, taken
and carried some distance BY of his owing
10 the steepness Of the hill finding very difficult
TO carry him. aud the enemy great pressing upon
them the gallant Lieutenant Colonel begged them to leave
him and AXE Of themselves. Folced leave him on
the held the last that Of this noble young
he was lying on his back fighting with his sword The enemy
Captain William 5. Willis, Of the regiment
head Of his company, sawOt fought at
his side, adv wounded but sill contia ued to fight
until he was overcome with the JOSS Of blood.
In the meantime, lndIana brigade, who drawn
out and ordered to charge the enemy seized with
panic and displaying some heSltat0n Assistant Adulani
General Lincoln rushed then 'front.' and whilst upbaiding
Them for their cowardice shot, passing
through his body. In justice TO this brigade it should be
their gallant fighting.
Colonel Hardin led the noisaDs in very handsome style
Colonel feel wounded and experienced
Mckee and Clay, and killed by the euemy--n0 how
ever before he had killed Of the cowaldy misceauts
with pistol, which he fired whilst lying ground.
Colonel Yell led the foremost charge Of his mounted
volunteers against large body Of lances aud killed by
iaene which entered plymouth aud tore off one side Of his
The Missssppans the of Monterey after doing
hard duty as sklEmhes ode ed into line receive
charge OF cavalry, which they did with their rifles deliver
ing al the same time destructive fire among the
crowded columns Of cavalry The enemy completely
Eepulsed The distinguished commander of this gallant
regiment, Colonel Jefferson Davis badly wounded an
eseopette ball having entered his foot passed his
leg tie was, however, doing well hen last heard FROM
rom doing his share OF the brave deeds Of brilliant 6ght
~ the gfieyous wound received the battle Of Monterey
which still Confines him his bed and from which il is
much feared by his best fiiends he will
Col Humphrey Marshas splendid regiment Of Kentucky
avay were impatient for opportunity Of showing their
nette and avengng the capture Of their behen then in
he hands of the enemy They favored with
eied opportunity by the approach Of force Of than
700 laDcers and HussaTs who CALAMITY charged
The kenuckans stood their ground with mmOvabie sead
ess and receiving the enemy With the fire from their
ines charged the gallant style through the column
the right, and wheeling fell their left dispensing and
IiDg great many Of them. like charge made by
o May at the head Of squadron OF Dragons, and one
Arkansas osvaTy, against large body Of the enemys
;avalry, with like results.
During the engagement the right, Santa Anna, seeing
hat General Taylors force we'll protected On the
eft flank 3ge force Of Cavalry around that point
md ouifankng Taylor succeeded in throwing 1000 men
INTO his gqt general TayO, Immediately sen. Capt
despatched with flag of truce demand the immed
he Mexic In