Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-04-29

By AN Ex-REPoRTER OF THE STATE SENTINEL
No. 10.


No. 10.
Our scouting parties having been fred upon by
Mexicans on the night of the 10th. it was determined
to ascertain the strength and location Of the enemy
A scouting party of about 500 were despatched on
the 20th, on the San Luis Potosi road. This party
returned the next morning, and brought news that
left no doubt that there was large Mexican force
encamped at Encarnacion. We soon made prepara-
tons to remove back to Buena VISTA and were
about leaving our camp ground, Capt. Mccullough,
OF Texas. rode into camp and informed US that he
was in sight of the Mexican camp at Encarnacion,
and represented the force to be very large We
arrived at Buena Vista. and encamped. Some called
1t retreat, but the rejecting minds said that
Gen. Taylor knew what kind of game to play with
the Mexicans.
The next morning. (Feb DID, it was ascertained
that Santa Anna and his army encamped at
Aqua Nueva Soon after breakfast all of our forces
were formed in line, waiting the movements of the
enemy, when it ascertained that the enemy
advancing. Our army marched about two miles to-
wards the enemy and took position to meet his at
tack Part of our artillery placed upon a hill
on the left side Of the road where the Illinois volun
teers and the third regiment of Indiana volunteers,
were ordered to oppose the passage Of the enemy by
the way of the road Our forces also formed in
line of battle stretching still further to the left
the second regiment of Indiana volunteers being on
the extreme left at the foot Of the mountain On the
right of the road is deep cbasm, which makes the
passage between it and the bill, by the way of the
road, very On the other side of the chasm,
on the right battery was placed supported by Col.
McKee's regiment of Kentucky volunteers, for the
purpose of guarding the passage of the enemy be-
tween this chasm and the mountain on the right.
The Mexican army advanced and took position
some distance from Uurs-their line stretching from
one mountain range to the other General Santa
Anna sent note to General Taylor stating, in
substance that he had a force of twenty thousand,
a. l.
one hour. Gen. Taylor wrote to him that If that was
all the force he had, he (Gen. had force sufficient
10 whip him. and that he might either surrender or
fight. At 10 minutes before o'clock, P. NJ, the
Mexicans fired Of their heavy pieces Of artillery.
At this time the MexIeans were seen filing off to the
mountain on the left, when Gen. Lane ordered Major
w. A. GOrman to take the four rifle companies from
Indiana and ascend the mountain to prevent the
my from getting arou nd our army by way of the
mountain. This order promptly executed by
Major German. COL Marshall was also ordered to
ascend the mountain with some of the Kentucky cav
airy dismounted. After ascending the mountain, a
large Mexican force appeared a ridge running par
ael with the one occupied by meu, and opened a
heavy fire which did but little execution wounding
only few of our The Indianians and Ken
tuckans only fired when they good mark, and
took deliberate aim, and by this killed and
wounded great number Of Mexicans- Major Cor
man and the riiemen were ordered to retire to the
loot vi te MOUNTAIN anu eDcalp, anu tnefe tney re-
NAMED until morning, suffering severely with the
cod and much to their credit they endured these
hardships without a single murmur. Only few
cannon shots exchanged the first day by the two
armies. The night passed away quietly, but there
were several fires to be or the mountain ridge
occupied by the Mexcans during the day.
Early on the morning of the 23d, large reinforce
ment of Mexican infantry, (probably not less than
3,OOOD commenced firing from the mountain upon
our small force of riemen, who returned the fire and
did considerable execution. In the meantime, Gen.
Lane ordered O'Bren's battery, at the foot of the
mountain, TO throw shells the ridge occupied by
the enemy, which was done with considerable skill
silencing the enemys fire in the mountain for a short
time. The main body Of the Mexican army com.
menced marching down the road if determined tc
attack US in the pass but instead of following The
road, they filed up ravine towards left flank in
order to take US BY SURPRISE yet they did not eude
the vigilance of our officers. The enemy made the
attack, and general engagement ensued. The Sc
cond Regiment Of Indiana volunteers were attacked
by force Of at least six times their number, bu
tley boldly met the attack, and after firing abou
twenty rounds, were forced 10 give way by the grea
superiority of numbers, but they again rallied, ant
sustained their ground nobly, COL McKees regimen
having come to their relief The action continued 70
some time without either army gaining any decides
Jadvantage over the other. However. It plain u
be seen that the enemys loss was much greater thai
! ours. Our artillery was skilfnlly managed and d
, good execution, but not so much as II might hav
done had the battlefield been level plain, instead
rocky piece of oround flt of decn ravinee and e,