The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-05-01

ing considerable number Of wounded
1t was my purpose to beat up his qual
ters at Encarnation early the mex
morning, but upon, examination tn
weak condition Of the cavalry horse
renderedit unadyisabe to attempt s
long a march without water. Aeon
mand was1inally despatched to Encal
nation, on the LIST Of March, under Co
Belknap, some two hundred wounded
and about sixty Mexican soldiers wer'
found there, the army having passed
on in the direction Of Matehuala, will
greatly reduced numbers, and suffering
much from hunger. The dead and dy
ing were strewed upon the road ane
crowded the buildings ofthe hacienda
r The American force engaged in ths
action of Buena Vista is shown by the
accompanying field report, TO have
been 334 officers, and 4.425 men ex
elusive Of the small command left in
and near SaltiIlo. Ofthis number, two
squadrons Of cavalry, and three bate.
ries oflight infantry, making not more
than 453men, composed the only force
Of regular troops. y The strength oi
the Mexican army is stated by Gene
al Santa Anna, to be 90 600, and that
estimate is confirmed by all the infor.
nation since obtained. " Our loss il
1857 killed, i456 wounded, and % mis-
sing. Of the numerous wounded, many
did not require removal to the hospital
and it is hoped that comparatively
small number will be permanently dis
abled. The Mexican loss in killed and
wounded may be fairly estimated 4,
500, and will probably reach 9,oO0.-
Atleast 500 of their killed were left
upon the field Of battle. We have no
means ofascertaining the number OF
-deserters and dispersed men from their
ranks, but it is known to be very
great. A."l8.g 34t tr je9" -9
= Our loss has been especially severe
in officers, twenty-eight having been
killed upon the field. We have to la
ment the death of Capt. George Lin
coin, assistant adiutant general, serv-
ing on the statf'ofGen. Wool-a young
officer of high bearing, and approved
gaIIantry, who fell early in the action.
No loss falls more heavily upon the ar.
my in the field than that of Coils. Har-
din and Mckee, and Lieut.. Col. Clay.
possessing IN a remarka Bile degree the
C confidence of their. commands. and
the last two having enjoyed the ad-
vantage of military education, | had
ooked particularly to them for sup
port in case we met the enemy. /
need not say that their zeal in engage
ng the enemy, and to the cool and
'teadfast courage with which they main
aimed their positions during the day
ully realized my hopes, and caused me
% feel yet more senslbly their un,ime-
y loss. a4 s..regzc 'eHa.a ID
lperform a greatful duty in bringing
0 the notice of the government the
eneral good conduct Of the troops.
Exposed for successive nights without
res to the severity of the weather,
ley were ever prompt and cheerful IN
ne discharge of every duty, and final
7 displayed conspicuous steadiness and
allautry in repulsing at great odds a
foe. While,h the brilliant sue
ess achieved by their arms releases
,e from the painful necessity OF spe-
flying many cases of bad conduct be-
,re the enemy, feel an increased OBJ
cation to mention particular corps
nd officers, whose skill, GOODNESS and
allantry in trying situations and un-
er continued and heavy fire, seem
, merit particular notice. a.l ar /
To Brigadier General Wool my OBJ
cations are'especially due. The high |
tate of discipline and instruction OF
everal of the volunteer regiments was
ttained under his command, and to
is vigilance and arduous services be-
ire the action, and his sallantry and
clivity on the field, a large share Of
ur success may justly be attributed.
turing most of the engagement he
,as in immediate command Of the
oops thrown back on our left flank.
beg leave to recommend him to the
lvorable notice of the government.--
rigadier General Lane Slightly woun-
ed) was active and Jealous through
Ut the day, and displayed. great cool
sss and gallantry before the enemy.
The services Of the light artillery, al
ays conspicuous, were more than U.s. {,
ally distinguished. Moving rapidly
YER the toughest ground, it was always
action at the right place and at the
ght time, and its well-directed. fire
.alt destruction into the masses.77 /;
fhile 7 reconmeud to narticular favor