The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-21

I'D Indiana regiment which had fallen back as stated
could not be rallied and took no further part in the &c
ton, except handful Of who under its gallant
Colonel Bowes joined the Mississippi regiment and did
good service and those fugitves Who at later period
In the day assisted In defending the train and depot ut
Bhena 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 rem
dered such good service on the mountain were COM
PEELED to withdraw which they did for the most part in
good order Many however were not rallied until they
reached the depot at Buena Vista to the defence OF
which they afterwards contributed
Colonel Bisses regiment cd nois) which had
been joined by section of Captain Shermans battery,
had become completely ouaanked and was compelled to
fall back being entirely unsupported. Tho enemy was
pouring masses of infantry and cavalry along tho
base Of the mountain loft and gaining
rear in great force At this motent 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 flank. The I'd Kentucky regiment and sec
ton Of artillery under Captain Bragg, had previously
been ordered from the right to reinforce left and
rived at most opportune moment That regiment, and
portion OF the LIST Illinois, under Colonel Hardin gal
lanty drove the enemy and recovered portion OF the
ground we had lost The batteries Of Captains Sher-
man and Bragg in position on the plateau and did
much execution not only in 'front.' but particularly upon
the masses which had gained Discovering that
the enemy heavily pressing upon the Mississippi re-
gimcnt the third Indiana regiment under Colonel Lane
despatched to strengthen that part Of line,
which formed crotchet perpendicular to the first line
Of battle At the same time Lieut. Kilburn, with
piece of Captain Braggs battery was directed to sup
port the infantry there engaged. The action for
long time warmly sustained at that pointthe enemy
making several efforts both with infantry and cavalry
against Incl nnd being always rcpuscd 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 directions to hold in check
the enemy's column, still advancing to the along
tion with the Kent lucky and Arkansas cavalry under
Coils Marshall and Yell. In the mean time our left,
which still strongly threatened by superior force,
further strengthened by the detachment OF Captain
Braggs and portion Of Captain Shermans batteries,
to that quarter. The concentration of artillery fire
upon the masses Of the enemy along the base Of tho
mountain and the determined resistance offered by the
two regiments opposed to them had created confusion
in their ranks and some Of the corps attempted to ef
feet retreat upon their main line of battle The squa
dron of the list Dragons under Lieut. Ruckcr was now
endeavorng to in order to charge and dis
perse them The squadron proceeded to the point ind
Gated but could not pish the object being exposed
to heavy fire from battery established to cover the
retreat of those corps. While the squadron de-
tached this service large body OF the enemy OBJ
served to concentrate extreme left apparently
with the view of making descent upon the hacienda
of Buena Vista, where our train and baggage were
deposited Lieut. Colonel May was ordered to the sup
port Of that point with two pieces OF Captain Sher
mans battery under Lieut.. Reynolds In the mean
time the scattered forces the hacienda composed
in part of Majors Trail and Germans commands had
been to some extent organized under the advice Of
Major Munroe chief OF artillery with the assistance OF
Major Morrison volunteer staff and were posted do
fend the position. Before cavalry had reached the
hacienda that Of the enemy had made its attack hav-
ing been handsomely met by the Kentucky and Arkan-
cavalry under Colonies Marshall and Yell. The
Mexican column Immediately divided, portion
sweeping by the depot where ii received destructive
gaining tho mountain opposite, under fire from Lieut.
Reynolds section the remaining portion regaining the
Buena Vista Col Yell fell calamity at the head of hs
regiment We also lost Adjutant Vaughan, Of the
Kentucky cavalry a, young officer OF much promise.
Lieut. Col May who had been rsjoned by the squadron
of the st Dragons and by portions OF the Arkansas
and Indiana troops undor Lieut.: Col Roane and Major
German now approached the base OF the mountain,
holding in check the right flank of the enemy, upon
whose masses crowded In the narrow gerges and ra-
vines our artillery doing fearful execution.
which had gained very critical and it
seemed doubtful whether II could regain tho main body
At this moment received from Gen Santa Anna mes
sage by n staff officer desiring to know what wanted!
Immediately despatched Brig Gen. Wool to the Moxi
can gcneran-chief and sent orders to cease firing.
Upon reaching the Mexican lines Gen. Wool could not
cause enemy to their fire. and accordingly
turned without having an interview The extreme right
OF the enemy continued its retreat along the base the
mountain and finally In spite Of all efforts effected
junction with the remaisder Of the army.
During tho day, the cavalry of General Mnon had
assembled the elevated plain above ssto and occupied
intercepted several Of men Approaching the town
they fred upon by Capt Webster from the redoubt
occupied by his company and then moved on towards
the eastern side Of the valley, and obquely towards
Buena Vista At this time, Capt Shower moved rapidly
forward with his piece, supported by misce llaneous
command of mounted volunteers and fired several shots
at the cavalry with great effect. They driven into
the raynes which lead to the lower valley closely pur
sued by Capt Shower, who further supported by
piece Of Capt Websters battery, under Lieut. Donald
SON which had advanced from the rcdoubt, supported
by Capt. Whoeler's company Illinois volunteers. The
enemy made two efforts to charge the artillery,
but finally driven back in confused mass aud did
did not again appear upon the plain.
In the meantime the firing had partially ceased upon
the principal field. Tho enemy seemed to conhne his
efforts to the protection Of his artillery, and had left
the plateau for n moment, when was recalled thther
by very heavy musketry fire On rcganing that posi-
ton discovered that our infantry illinois aud I'd Ken
tucky had engaged greatly superior force of the
my-evidently his reseryes-and that they had been
overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was most cr
tca Captain o Brion, with two pieces, had sustain
cd this heavy charge to the last and finally obliged
TO leave his guns the feld-his infantry support
being entirely routed Captain Bragg who had just ar
rived from the left was ordered n. into battery
nent risk Of losing his guns this officer came rapidly
into action, the Mexican line being but few yards
from the muzzle Of bis pieces The first discharge OF
canister caused tho enemy to hesitate the second and
third drove him back in disorder, and saved the day
The "a Kentucky regiment, which had advanced be-
yond supporting distance in this affair driven back
and closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry Taking
raHine. which led In the direction Of Captain Waeh-