Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-30

company, lst artillery, and armed with two "a
pound h"wIlzerS while The train and headquarIeI
camp was guarded by two companies Mississippi
rilemen under Capt Rogers. and feld-piece
commanded by Capt. Shower, Sd artillery. Hav.
ing made these dispositions for the protection oI
the rear, proceeded on the morning Of the 23d
10 Buena Vista, ordering forward all the availa.
bic troops. The action had commenced before
my arrival on the field.
During the evening and night Of the Rsd the
enemy had thrown a body OF light troops on the
mountain side, with the purpose Of ouihanking
our left; and il was here that the action of the
Esd commenced at an early hour Our rifemen
under Col. Marshall, who had been reinforced
by three companies under Major Trail, Cd Illi-
nols volunteers, maintained their ground hand
somey against greatly superior force; holding
themselves under cover, and using their weapons
with deadly effect. About s o'clock strong de-
lmonsration was made against the centre of our
position, heavy column moving along the road.
This force was soon dispersed bv few rapid and
well directed shots from Capt. Washinglon's bat
terry. In the meantime the enemy was concen-
rating large force ofinianry and cavalry un-
der cover of the ridges with the intention Of fore
us S"i NAts hhlAH Ndo ppoNCu Otl dll GAlVlloiN o
plateau. The I'd Indiana and 2d Illinois regi-
nens formed this Pau of our line, the former
covering three pieces oflghl artillery, under the
orders Of Capt. O'Brien-Brigadier General
Lane being in the immediate command. In or
der to bring his men within effective range, Gen.
Lane ordered the artillery and Cd Indiana regi-
mont forward. The artillery advanced within
musket range of heavy body Of Mexican infan.
ry, and was served with great effect, but without
being able TO check the advance. The infantry
ordered to its support had fallen back in disorder,
being exposed, as well as the battery, not only
to q severe fire Of small arms from the front, but
also to n murdereus cross fire Of grape and can
ister from a Mexican battery on the left. Capt.
OBrien found il impossible TO retain his position
without support, bu was only able TO withdraw
two Of his pieces, all the horses and cannonneers
Of the third piece being killed or disabled. The
"a Indiana regiment, which had fallen back as
stated could not be rallied, and took no further
part in the action, except handful ofmen, who,
under the gallant Colonel Bowies, Joined the
Mississippi regiment, and did good service, and
those iugryes who, at a later period in the day,
assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena
Vista. This portion Of our line having given
way, and the enemy appearing in overwhelming
force against our left flank, the light troops which
had rendered such good service on the noun
tain, were compelled to Withdraw which they did,
for the most part in good order. Many, howev.
er were not rallied until they reached the depot
at Bucna Vista, to the defence Of which they af-
forwards contributed.
Col. Bissel's regiment (Gd Illinois,) which
had been joined by a section Of Capt. Sherman's
battery, had become completely oulnanked, and
was compelled to fall back, being entirely un-
supported. The enemy was now pouring mass.
1s of infantry aud cavalry along the base Of the |
mountain on our left, aud was gaining our rear
in great force. At this moment, arrived upon
the field. The Mississippi regiment had been
directed TO the left before reaching the position,
and Immediately came into action against the
Mexican infantry which had turned our flank
The Cd Kentucky regiment and a section of ar
ulery under Captain Bragg, had previously been
ordered from the right 10 reinforce our left, and
arrived at most op?orluno moment. That re-
giment and u portion Of the lst Illinois. under
Col. Hardin, galIantIy drove the enemy, and re|
covered portion of the ground we had lost
The batteries Of Captains Sherman and Bragg
were in position on the plateau, and did much
execution, not only in front but particularly up
on the masses which had gained our rear. Dis
covering that the enemy was heavily pressing
The Mississippi regiment, the Sd Indiana regiment
under Col. Lane, was despatched to strengthen
that part of our line which formed a crotchcd |
perpendicular TO the first line of battle. AT the |
same time Lieut.. Kilburn with a piece of Capt. !
Bragg's battery, was directed to support the in
Ianry there engaged. The action was for
ong time warmly sustained at that pont-the
snemy making several efforts both with infantry
lnd cavalry against our line, and being always |
repulsed with heavy loss. | had placed all the |
regular cavalry and Captain Pixies squadron of
Arkansas horse under the orders of Brevet Lieut.. |
Col. May with direction TO hold in check the !
9nemy's column, still advancing to the rear along
he base of the mountain, which was done in |
with the Kentucky and Arkansas
,ayalry under Coils. Marshall and Yell lu the
our left, which was still strongly threa.
cncd by superior force, was further strength
,ned by detachment of Capt. Braggs, and
portion of Captain Shcrman's batteries, TO that
quarter The concentration of the artillery fire
upon the masses of the enemy along the base of
he mountain, and the determined resistance of.
ered by the two regiments opposed to them,
had created confusion in their ranks, and some
ol the corps attempted to effect retreat upon
heir main line of battle. The squadron of the
first Dragons under Lieutenant Bucker, was now
ordered up the deep ravne which these retreat
ing corps were endoavoring to cross, in order to
charge, and dispcrse them. The squadron pro-
ceeded to the point indicated, but could not ac-
compllsh the object being exposed to heavy
hre from battery established 10 cover the ro-
treat of those corps. While the squadron was
despatched ON this service, large body of the
enemy was observed to concentrate on our ex-
lremo left, apparently with view of making
descent upon the hacienda of BuenN Vista, where
our train and baggage were deposited. Lieut..
Col. May was ordered to the support of that point
With two pieces Of Col. Shcrman's battery under
Lieut.. Reynolds. In the meantime the scatter.
I'd forces near the hacienda, composed in part of
Mni,r, M,rgk.lI and lN,r,nun'o l.. L 1