Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-05-06
Che 1flrxiran 1uar.
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.
GEN. TAYLOR'S DETAILED REPORT.
[oFFIcIAL DISPATCHES.
HEADQUARTERS, Army or OccUPArtoS,)
AGIth NurXA. Mnrch & laIz-

HEADqUARrERs, Army or OccuPArtos,)
Aqua NUEvA, March 6, 1Si7 I
SIR: have the honor to submit detail
ed report of the operations of the forces UNI
der my command which resulted in the en-
gagement of Buena Vista, the repulse of
the Mexican army, and the re-occupation of
this position.
The information which reached me of the
advance and concentration of heavy Mex
lean force in my front, had assumed such
probable form, as to induce special exam
nation far beyond the reach of our pickets
to ascertain its correctness A small party
ofTexas spies, under Major McCulloch, de-
spatched to the Hacienda of Encarnacion,
80 miles from this, on the route to San Luz
is Potosi, had reported cavalry force of
unknown strength at that place. On the
Goth of February strong reconnaissance
under It. Col May was despatched to the
Hacinda of Heclionda, while Major McCul-
loch made another examination of Encarna-
cion. The results of these expeditions left
no doubt that the enemy was in large force at
Encarnacion, under the orders of Gen. San
ia Anna. and that he meditated forward
movement and attack upon our position.
As the Camp of Aqua Nueva could be
turned on either flank, and as the enemy's
force was greatly superior to our own, par
ticuarly in the arm of cavalry, | determine
ed, after much consideration, TO take up a
position about eleven miles in rear, and
there wait the attack. The army broke up
its camp and marched at noon on the 2lst,
encamping at the new position a little in
front of the Hacienda near Buena VISTA
With small force | proceeded to Saltllo
to make some necessary arrangements for
the defence of the town, leaving Brig. Gen.
Wool in the immediate command of the
troops.
Before those arrangements were compile
ted on the morning of the Odd, | was advis-
ed that the enemy was in sight, advancing,
Upon reaching the ground it was found that
his cavalry advance was in our front, hav-
ing marched from Encarnacion, as we have
since learned, at II o'clock on the day pre-
vious, and driving in mounted force left at
Aqua Nueva to cover the removal of public
stores. Our troops were in position occu-
plying line of remarkable strength, The
road at this point becomes narrow defile,
the valley on its right being rendered quite
impracticable for artillery by a system OF
deep and impossible gullies, while on the
left succession of rugged ridges and pre-
cipitous ravines extends far back towards
the mountain which bounds the valley. The
features of the ground were such as nearly
to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the
enemy, while his infantry could not derive
all the advantage of its numerical superior
ity. In this position we prepared to receive
him. Capt Washington's battery Oath ar
tillery) was posted to command the road
while the LIST and I'd Illinois regiments un
der Colonies Hardin and Bissell, each eigh
companies, Ito the latter of which was at
tached Capt. Corners company of Texas
volunteers,) and the I'd Kentucky under
Col. Mckee, occupied the crests ofthe ridg
es on the left and in rear.
The Arkansas and Kentucky regiment
of cavalry, commanded by Coils. Yell AM
III. Marshall, occupied the extreme left nea
the base of the mountain, while the Indian
brigade, under Brigadier General Lane
composed of the I'd and Sd regiments un
der Coils. Bowles and Lane) the Mississippi
rihemen under Col. Davis, the squadrons c
the LIST and I'd Dragons under Capt Stee
and Lieut. Col. May, and the light batterie
of Capts Sherman and Bragg, Sd artillery
were held in reserve. At III o'clock | re
ceved from Santa Anna a summons to sur
render at discretion, which, with copy c
my reply, have already transmitted Tn
enemy still forebcre his attack, EVIDENT
waiting for the arrival of his rear columns
which could be distinctly seen by our look
outs as they approached the field. A den
onstration made on his left caused me to de
tach the I'd Kentucky regiment and SEE
ton of artillery to our right, in which pos
ton they bivoucked for the night. In tn
mean time the Mexican light troops had ell
gagged ours in the extreme left, Compose
of parts of the Kentucky and Arkansas ca'
airy dismounted, and a rifle battalion iroi
the Indiana brigade under Major Go