Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-24
SANTA Annals ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE.
Details of the actions miich occurred on the 22d
and 23d Of February last, at Buena Vista.
LrREnATISe AMY OF THE REPuBLrc,

Mosr EXCELLENT SIR In my despatch from the battle
field of Angostua dated the 23d promised give you
tails of the action of the 22d and the battle Of the ODD
should effect the which entire lack of water
and OF all supplies made Indispensable In those engagements
the army and the nation have restored the use of their
by overcoming obstacles nconceyabe to all those who
witnessed them These only from the difficulties Of
this contest and OF situation, but also from the
gor Of the season. and the exhaustion Of the country along
almost desert of fifty leagues that destitute
of good water and of all the most limited supplies
The Supreme Government informed by communca-
tons made before my leaving San Luis that the army under
my command would not its operations ill the end
OF the winter knew by experience the climate OF
the region, which also scan of habatons provisions
shelter, and of fuel therefore resolved go
ganzng drilling, arming, and clothing the army and in
word, to put into military shape the forces which had just
been assembled My intentions, however, could be
ture realized The Of pecunay embarrassed
all my dispositions The soldiers, though well disposed
combat with the enemy had been badly supplied for month";
and would have been Of food but that the
exertons OF the commanders of corps prevented that detu
ton from driving them from their ranks
While those mertorous suffering all kinds Of pr-
Walton, certain writer's from ignorance, want Of reflection
party spirit perhaps from mistaken patriotism, were jealous
engaged in hwarng the plans which might otherwise have
the army and particular individuals, whom they abused for
marching the conflict accusing them of of dec
sion, and asserting that the position of the army San Luis
threatening to Liberties than to the enemy In
the clubs Of that capital they abored with assduy make
the army the instrument Of revolt but frustrated their
tgues by timely steps, There writer who had the
audacity intimate that was in coluson with the enemy
Yes 10 whom they may attribute errors but whose whole
previous course has shown the most elevated patriotism
hos hut hx
their deacon of the army its vgor for the service
of the country 1t if fatality directs the desines Of
this nation, and nterdcts unanimty of the public will for
its defence and from this fatal blindness the moment when
every heart and every aspiration should be directed to OBJ
ec the very unctue when division and dsrust dis
semnaed Behold me, then, compelled by every circum-
change my plans Deseron had already
ed shameful extent and was fully persuaded that the
scarcity should continue, the army would be dishonoraby
fered away. therefore resolved that annhated should
be with glory. Having supplies, l. to obtain them,
promted private fortune and the credit OF myself and
friends. All this procured the Of hundred and
eighty thousand dollars, with which able to furnish the
needul to the amy for twelve days knew well the
try had Cross and the necessity there would be for carry
ing provisions and sympahized in anticipation with the
soldier for what he would endure from the gor the
but render good service to the country and its honor
had to overlook all this. r.,
The army moved from San Luis by brgades to
der available the scanty afforded by the country
to The force consisted of 49, 432 infantry, dvd
Of artillery, of three 24-pounders three l6pounders,
five 2poundes five S-pounders, and 7nch howzer, all
served by 10 ar,erymen the total being lS, 80 VI
this there remained behind the garrison of the works
Luis and others which allotted the
also squadrons small and only OF
ammunition; brigade of infantry, Of two battaons, under
Gen. Don Criaco Vasquez, which remained corps OF
in Matehuala and Of observation upon lula also
brigade of cavalry under Gen. Don Jose Urea The latter
intended pass Tua and through Tamaupas TO
the neghbohood of Monterey as to call the eneys aen-
that quarter The point OF concentration for the bril-
gades ought necessarily to be this place. that In the
region through which they had to many troops might
not be thrown together therefore fixed the ha
cenda of Encanacion for that point being, calculated
the last stage but of my march, there held review of
the army which had already lost thousand by sickness
and deseron The former caused by the and
bad quality of food, and still of water which brack
sh well scarce also by and the exposure
Of the troops, who had always to be in bvouac and without
fuel These snow-storms obliged me to suspend the march
days. till the weather became settled for the cold
had already caused the death of several and horses and
felt bound by every diminish the losses
mourning These hardhps will account for the number OF
descons which occurred up to arrival at Encarnacon,
and which afterwards increased II also be
bered that almost the whole army had been recently formed
and, is well known of men taken by violence from their
homes.
We had advces that the enemy were fortified in the hace
da Of Aqua Nueva, with 1000 and 80 pieces resolved
defend the dees known by the Of the passes OF
Camera and Aqua Nueya The Americans did not know the
precise point on winch our march was directed io though
they exchanged shots with advance Encanacon,
and had frequent small srmshes with the above passes,
they supposed troops to be scouting parties OF the FIRST
brigade Of cavalry, under Don Jose " Mnon, whom had
advanced far the hacienda of Poos These the
impressions when made my dispositions
1t my intention place my forces between the enemy
and Saho, TO obge him fight under the dsadvan
age of having his communication off, or il he would not
leave his works. to enable besiege him in Aqua Nueva
This plan might be carried out three different ways Ono
by marching 20 leagues by the direct road another by
moving the right by la Hedonda, occupy Bucna
Vista and the third, by moving the left by la Punta de
Santa Elena to occupy the hacienda of la Banqucra,
aud thereafter the road to Sao. The last
at this time mpaccabe for they would either of them
require three four days march, while without pro-
Visions forage, water therefore resolved operate by
the direct road force the positions and after passing the last
defe make diversion by the e and occupy the rancho Of
Encantada, with the view OF obtaining water Of which
be had for than eighteen leagues All this
favored by the enemys ignorance Of march but msfor
still followed eserter the regiment Of Cora
ceros, native of Salo named Francisco Valdes passed
from Encanacon to the enemy, and gave him noma
ton of the The execrable treason Of this nfa-
wretch frustrated the best combinations.
On the 2ls at noon, ordered the march 10 commence,
the four light baaons under Gen. Don Pedro Ampudia,
forming the vanguard had hestaed allow that Ge-
neral and other officers who had been maraed for the
affair Of Monterey to participate in these operations only
because did not consider them cupab but also
Of the zeal they manifested This brigade followed by
Of artillery of sixteen FOUNDERS, with the regiment Of
gneers and their train, and those by the park Of the regiment
Of hussars. Then the first division, commanded by
Gen. Don Manuel Lombardn, with four twelve-pounders
and the park The second division, under Gen. Don Fran
LII