The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-29
king demonstration towards the battery When i had

broken and moved quickly to the right and gained the
cover of hill The second operation OF tins part OF
the battery deserves 10 be particularly nouced. IL was
when the fragments OF the LIST and I'd Illinois and Ken
lucky infantry forced TO retreat down the rayine
regiments gained The road the mouth OF the avine,
large body of Mexican ancers poured over the point OF
the opposite hill, and commenced an indscrminate
slaughter: Then ii was that Captain Washingon's bat
terry saved the lives OF 100 men, and probably the Tor
tunes of the day. BY has fre he drove back the MAN
body OF the ancers, covered retreat, and but Tor
small party who gained the protection OF the NIL and
fling. Both officers and men of Captain Washngton's
battery displayed the utmost eo9ness and rnaiTIeed
Lieut. Col. LIST Illinois volunteers commanding
CAMP TAYLOR Mexico, Feb %, 1877
SIR In compliance with your order, submit the fol-
lowing report of the operations OF my command IN the bat
tie of the 22d and 23d instant.
The second regiment OF Illinois volunteers was posted,
on the morning OF the 22d near the centre OF our hne
in the of the height occupied by the LIST ILLINOIS reg
ment, and upon high eminence, which commanded a
view OF most OF the field. Towards night the lndlana
brigade took its position this height and my regiment
marched to the height the left and there formed IN
order of battle, right resting the heads OF the ra
vines and our left extending towards the base OF the
mountains After waiting IN this position IN readiness
Tor attack, for about hour, during winch the enemy
opened the fire OF his artillery, ordered to march
my regiment to the defence OF the town, which was re-
ported to have been attacked While we were proceed
ing execute this ORDER the firing between our slrmsh
the mountain, and the enemys infantry which was
endeavorng gain position there Tor rather to Hrn our
left flank commenced and continued I'LL nghtia Before
reaching Buena Vista, march TO Salllo the or
Ter directing hither was contaminated, ana The
regiment was marched back to position near TO ha oc-
cuped IN the morning, where we bvouacked Tor the
night, resting upon our arms.
Early on the morning of the 23d, my regiment was
formed in order of battle towards the LETT OF our lines
occupying the high plain, which the enemy showed an
intention TO force by the vast number OF infantry he had
thrown into the mountains and ravles on our lett and
front By changing direction the face OF the enemy,
to front him directly right was brought to
rest upon the heads OF ravnes, while our lett extending
towards the base of the mountains, was covered by
battery of artillery, supported by the regiment OF INDIANA
volunteers. Previous to this movement, our rifle bat
taion consisting of Capt Lemen's and Capt. Woodwards
companies and Capt Corners company of Texas volnn
teers, under the command of Major Trail, detached
from the regiment and sent to the support OF our skr
mishers, who had engaged portion OF the enemy IN the
mountain While the battle was raging IN the mountain
on our left, the enemy, having depoyed around and
through the ravnes front, formed IN line OF battle
extending the entire PLAIN from the heads OF the
ravlnes front to the mountains which fanked ms
left 1t proper here TO remark, that my rifle companies
having been detached above stated, and companies
Captain Wheelers) and Captain aacker's) hay-
ing been ordered, with other troops to remain at
Saltio for lis protection, the whole strength OF my
regiment under my immediate command comprised
but six companies These companies were commanded
by Capts Coey, Miller Raith, Baker, Lott, and Star
buck. The enemy advancing steadily to our front TIL
within range of their pieces opened upon brisk fire;
but being, yet scarcely within tair range OF our mus
kes, and seemingly inclined to advance, ordered my
did, retaining THEN position with perfect steadness, and
receiving several voleys from the enemys whole line
without returning shot Perceivng that The enemy had
ceased to advance, ordered my regiment forward Tins
order obeye promptly and with perfect regularly
anl having advanced in admirable order I'LL within eiiec-
tive range OF pieces, halted and opened delbe-
and well directed fire upon the enemy's lines. He
returned our fire with vigor and effect Thus the conflict
ragged between unequal forces (our SIX companies
contendng alone against eight regiments OF the enemy
for about thirty minutes, By which time the enemy had
turned our left and pouring most destructive he
upon thatfank OF our regiment now marched my regi-
a ravine in the out OF the concentrated ire
of the enemys eight regiments and brought 1t round to
the attack the enemys left In this attack on the
emys flank we were calamity supported by portion OF
the first regiment OF Illinois volunteers and by the I'd
Kentucky regiment under Col Mckee, who had started
from distant points TO support during the rs engage
ment; This united attack upon the enemys flank com
PEELED him TO retreat with great loss On perceving that
the enemys left had retired upon his right and that his
cavalry preparing to charge upon our lines, rallied
my men, who had considerably scattered in pursuit OF
the enemy, and brought them to the head OF the ravlne,
on the right OF portion OF Capt Bragg battery where
we were posted in conjunction with the % kentucky
regiment till O'Clock, p. for the protection OF the ar
tllery there stationed and which the enemy manifested
frequent intention TO attack.
At about O'Clock nearly the whole body OF The enc
mys infantry seen in slow retreat Our artillery ad-
vanced toward them; and Colonel Hardin myself, and
Colonel Mckee-Colonei Hardin in advance-led on
respective commands to the charge My regiment (and,
think, that OF Colonel Mckee, advanced In column OF
company and were forming line TO the 'front.' when we
met by most destructive fire from the enemys inan-
try pressed on towards the enemy, 10 Inc mead oil an
intervening ravine into which our men threw themselves,
and from which they poured upon the enemy ceaseless
and most effective fire The whole force OF the enemys
infantry advanced upon us, supported by large
body of his cavalry Our fire kept up TIL the enc
my's immense force had completely fanked, and almost
surrounded us In this conflict my officers and men,
did all the others, fought bravely and desperately but
were overborne BY immensely unequal numbers, and
were compelled to retreat with severe loss Such as
not cut down, continued TO fire upon the enemy
they rereated down the ravine in the direction of Capt
Washingtons battery, TO the timely and efficient AID OF
which greatly indebted In this encounter, fell
the brave Colonies Hardin Mckee, and Clay.
AT this time, again called to the protection Of
the battery on the hill rallied such OF the men
of the two Illinois regiments could Immediately
form, and FASTENED with them to the defence OF the
the went down, and my men, now relolned by our
rifle companies threw themselves upon the ground the
left of the battery, and lay upon their arms till morn
ing.
AT daylight having been reinforced by Captains Vince
Ter and Hacker with their companies during the night we
were again formed order OF battle, and awaiting the
anticipated approach OF the enemy, when word was
brought us that he had fled
For statement OF the operations OF the rifle battalion
under Major Trail refer to his report That officer dis
hnguished himself throughout the day Tor cooness ludg
ment, and bravery.
Though 1t be not practicable proper TO speak IN
this report OF the conduct of my officers and men IN detail
Acknowledgements 10 them Lieut. Col Morrison
tive and efficient throughout the engagement He, as
well all my captains, and all my euenants (wth Two
three excepons) acted throughout the engagement
amanner which entities them 10 my highest admiration
and my wames thanks And to the example of their
heroic conduct in the most trying situations, is 10 be al
uibued small degree, the unsurpassed bravery
al Inv he Vadiuf