The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-03
battle OF Bue.,a vista.

4 We had the pleasure OF an interview yesterday with
MAJOR Coffee. of the army, who brought Gen Tay-
ors dispatches This gallant ocerVa son Of the dis.
tmgushed general who fought bravey on the plains
OF Chalmette and IN vaous other battles by the side OF
the usrious Jackson-acted the aid OF Gen. Taylor
in the bloody fight at Buena Vista. We greatly in
debted to HIM Tor many particulars OF this hardfogh'
General Taylor had fallen in love- at first sight with
the position at which he finally made his stand-Bue-
ma Vista His movement towards Aqua Nueya was
merely ruse to decoy the enemy into the field which he
had selected Tor hls battle ground. As soon McCul-
lochs men, who were Invaluable scouts informed HIM
OF Santa Annals approach to Aqua Nueva, General Iay
qulss or9 Ws up ms camp and Tell back to ms first
1t was at the foot OF mountain, rather of two
tains between which the read through narrow val
ley. On his right there was deep ravine which pro-
tected that flank efectuay than half dozen reg
ments could have done The left OF Gen. Tayor's line
rested on the base OF mountain The road in the CEN
Ire was entrenched and defended by strong battery In
front the ground was unevenbrokcn into hills and deep
ravnes-well adapted to the mode of fighting suited to
our volunteers and by its peculartes supplying the dis
advantage OF great inferiory OF numbers srr,
On the 2lst the enemy deserted approaching over
the distant hills AT their appearance the volunteers rails
ed great shout, and gave three tremendous cheers
Their engineers and officers flying over the
field and dragging their cannon about get them into
positions but the nature Of the ground did not favor the
guns began to open.
The enemy had with them thirty-two cannon, mostly
OF large caliber Their fire, though kept upvery brsky
and apparently well manned, did little execution in
our ranks that was not considered necessary to return
their fire Our cannon were therefore silent the whole OF
the 2lst. Eight ten killed and wounded were the
extent Of the casualties sustained by our army on the as
During the day an officer approached lines with flag
OF truce and requested to be shown to General Taylor
The brave old man sitting quietly on his old white
charger, with his leg the pomme of the saddle
watching the movements of the enemy when the
Mexican officer was presented In very courteous
and graceful manner the officer stated that che had been
sent by his eXceency General Santa Anna to his excel
lency General Taylor to inquire, in the most respectful
nj what ne Gen layor) was waiting for" From
hattie tho
manner in which he received Santa Annals terrific can
nonading, the Mexican supposed he asking very
pertinent question, to which, however old Rough and
Ready gave the very pertinent reply that che only
waiting for Gen. Santa Anna surrender" The Meyi-
can returned hastily to his lines This message proved
TO be r'tse to ascertain where Gen. Tayor's position
was, for after the return OF the Mexican officer to his
own ranks the whole Mexican battery seemed to open
upon Gen 'Iaylors position, and the balls flew over and
about HIM like hail. Utterly Indifferent TO the peris of
his situation, there sat the old chief his conspicuous
white horse peerg through his spy glass at the long
lines OF Mexican troops that could be at great dis
lance on the march The persuasion of his aids could
not induce him to abandon his favorable point for obser
Walton, nor to give up his old white horse To the sug
gestion of his staff that old whitley rather too con
spcuous charger for the commander, he replied tha
the old fellow had missed the fun at Monterey on ac
count OF sore foot and he was determined he should
AT sunrise on the 22d February, the battle began in
earnest. The Mexcans were drawn out in immense
as the eye could reach and the cavalry seemed to cover
the whole view with their inermnabe lines At inter-
walls between the infantry and cavalry their big guns
strongly protected by large artillery force, kept up
cessant cannonade against lines Their forces were
soon in motion. Our artillery thrown forward TO
meet them protected by the volunteers General Wool
led the main body in person. and was everywhere
ralying and encouraging the volunteers The two ar.
mics were engaged in hot conflict The broken ma
tue of the ground divided the forces so that instead Of
one general engagement, the regiments were compelled
in great measure to fight their hook Our Off
GERS were always in the advance leading their troops
Hence the great mortality among them. IN this general
q hun dredStn
would be attacked by whole Mexican brigade of several
thousand Thus the kentucky infantry was attacked at
the foot OF HILL in deep ravne, by immense force
OF the enemy. A large number of the officers were
killed here Among them was Colonel Mckee. who fell
sho him %h ssyr s sssna
lay on the ground Lieut.. Col. Clay Shot through
the thigh, and being unable to walk taken up an
the steepness of the HILL the finding yery difficult
to eaf hsT s The ss s 81 6sass1,
leave him on the field the last that was seen OF this noble
young officer he was lying on his back fighting with his
sword the enemy who C were sabbng him with hes
regiment at the head of HE company with three stalwa
who fought At his side, was badly wounded, but
still continued the fight until he was overcome with the
loss of blood
lu the meantime, the Indiana brigade, who were drawn
out and ordered to charge the enemy, were seized with
panic, and displaying some hesitation, Assistant Adi
Gen Lincoln rushed to their front, and whilst upbrad
ing them tor their cowardce, was shot, several balls
passing through his body In justice to this brigade il
should be stated that they subsequently rallied and fully
redeemed their reputation by the most gallant and efec
| tive fighting.
/ Col. Hardin led the Illinoisans in very handsome
style, and the sturdy suckers fought like lions Their
intrepid Colonel fell wounded and experienced the fate of
Coonels Mckee and Clay and was killed by the enemy
not however before he had killed of the cowardly
mscreans with pistol, which he fired whilst lying on
the ground.
Colonel Yell led, the foremost man. a charge of his
mounted volunteers against large body of ancers and
killed by lance which entered his mouth and tore
off one side of his face,
The Missssipplans, the heroes of Monterey, after do
ing hard duty skirmshers ordered into line to
receive charge of cavalry, which they did with their
rifles, delivering at the time most destructive fire
among the crowded columns of cavalry. The enemy
were completely repulsed The DISTINGUISHED command
er of this gallant regiment Col JEFFERSON Davis, was
badly wounded escopette ball having entered his foot
and passed out of his leg He was, however, doing well
when last heard from. The chivarous Lieut. Colonel
McClung prevented from doing his share of the
brave deeds of this brilliant fight by the grevous wound
received at the battle of Monterey, which still confines
HIM TO his bed and from which is much feared by his
best friends he will never recover.
Col Humphrey Marshalrs splendid regiment of Ken
lucky cavalry were impatient for an opportunity of show
ing their mettle and avengng the capture of their breh
rem then in the hands of the enemy. They were soon
favored with the desired opportunity by the approach OF
force of than 1900 ancers and hussars who gal
lantly charged them. The Kentuckians stood their
ground with immovable steadness, and receiving the
enemy with fire from their carbines charged in the
most gallant style through the column the right and
wheeling fell on their left dispensing and killing great
many of them. like charge was made by Col. May,
at the head of squadron of Dragons and of Arkan
cavalry against large body of the enemys cavalry
| with like results