Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-05-15

TOT tbe most 10 olvouacR WITHOUT nres, expect~
ing that morning would renew the conflict
During the night the wounded were removed
TO Saltillo, and every preparation made TO re-
ceive the enemy should he again attack OUT
position. Seven fresh companies we're drawn
from the town, and btigadier gen. Marshall,
who had made forced march from the Rin>
conada, with a reinforcement Of Kentucky
cavalry and four heavy guns, under capt Prem
ISIS, lst artillery, was near al hand, when it
was discovered that the enemy had abandoned
his position during the night. Our scouts soon
sscertaned that he had fallen back upon Aqua
Nueva. The great disparity Of numbers, and
he exhaustion Of our troops. rendered it mex
pedien, and hazardous 10 attempt pursuit. A
s'aff officer was despatched 10 gen Santa Anna
o negotiate an exchange Of prisoners, which
was satisfactorily completed on the following
day Our own dead were collected ond bu-
red, and the Mexican wounded, of which q
large number had been left upon the field, were
removed to Sallilo, and rendered as comIoTia.
Die circumstances would permit
On tho evening Of the Goth, close recon-
noissance was made Of the enemy's position,
which was found 10 be occupied only By a small
body Of cavalry, the infantry and artillery
having retrea,ed in the direction Of San Luis
PoosI. On the 9Th, our troops resumed their
former camp at Aqua Nueva, the enemy's rear
qua I'd evacuating the place as approached,
leaving consde rable number of wounded. 1t
was my purpose 10 beat up his quarters al En-
carnacion early the next morning, Blu, upon
examination, the weak condition Of the caval-
ry horses rendered it unadvisabe 10 attempt
so long march withou, water. A command
was finally despatched 10 Encarnacion, on the
LIST Of March, under col Belknap. Some goo
| wounded and about GO Mexican soldiers were
| found there. the army having passed on the d.
| reclion Of Matehuna, with grcatly reduced
numbers, and suffering much from hunger
| The dead and dying were strewed upon the
road. and crowed the buildings OF the hacienda
The American force engaged in the action
OF Buena Visa, is shown by he accompanying
field report 10 have been 1874 officers, and A..
1875 men exclusive OF the small command left
in and near Sa!tillo. OF this number, two
squsdrors OF cavalry, and batteries OF light
artillery, making not more than 453 men COM
posed the only force Of regular troops. Ths
strength Of the Mexican army is stated by Gen
Santa Anna, IN his summons, TO be 10000;
and that estimation is confirmed by all the in
formation since obtained. Our loss is 267 kill
ed, 456 wounded, and 90 missing. OF the nus
merous wounded, many did not require remov-
al to the hospital, and 1t is hoped that q compar.
a,ivey small number will be permanently dis
ablod. The Mexican loss in killed and wound
ed may be fairly estimated at | 500, and will
probably reach 5000. At leas, 500 Of their
killed were lett upon the field Of battle. We
have no means Of ascer,aining the number Of
deser;ers and dispersed men from their ranks,
but it is known TO be very great
Our loss has been especially severe 10 Off
GERS. 26 having been killed upon the field. We
have 10 lament the death Of cap. George Lin
coin, assistant adu,ant general, serving on
the staff OF gen WooI-a young officer OF high
bearing and approved gaantry, who fell early
in the action M loss falls more heavily uron
The army in the field than that Of coils Hardin.
M'Kee, and lieut. col Clay. Possessing in re-
markabIe degree the confidence of their com.
mnnds, and the las, two having enjoyed the ad'
vantage Of military education, had looked
particularly TO them for support in case we
me, the enemy. | need not say tina. theft zeal
in engaging the enemy, and the cool and stead
fast courage with which they maintained their
positions during the day fully realized my
hopes, and caused me 10 feel yet more sensiby
their untimey loss
perform grateful duty in bringing 10 the
notice OF the government he general good con-
duct OF the troops Exposed for successive
nights without fires 10 the severity of the
weather, they were ever prompt and cheerful
N the discharge OF every duty, and finally dis
PLAYED conspicuous sicadlEess and CalaEtry ia
rrpusing at great odds q disciplined force -
While he brilliant succC SIS achieved by their
arms releases me from the painful necessity
of specifying many cases ef bad conduc. before
the enemy, feel an increased obligation to
mention particular corps aud officers, whose
SKILL GOODNESS and galtau,ry IN trying sj.ua-
lions and under a continued aud heavy fire,
seem TO merit particular notice.
To bricader gen Wool my obligations are
& especially due. The high safe Of discipline
, and instruction of several Of the volunteer re-
ments was attained under his command, and
!, to his vigilance and arauous services before
The action, and his gaanlry and activity Oh
the field, large share Of our success may
Justly be attributed During most Of the en-
! gagement he was in immediate command Of tho
troops thrown back on our left flank. beg
leave to recommend him to the favorable no-
= lice Of the government. Brigader gen Lane
: Slightly wounded) was active and jealous
j throughout the day, and displayed great cool>
e ness and gullantry before the enemy
The services of the light artillery, always
: conspicuous, were more than usually distin-
guished. Moving repidly over the toughest
ground, il was always in action at the right
y place and the right time, and it's wel,directed
fire dealt destruction in the masses OF the ene>
, my. While | recommend TO particular favor
the gallant conduct and valuable services Of
= major Munroe chief OF artillery. and captains
Washington, 4th artillery, and Sherman and
Bragg, Sd artillery, commanding batteries,
deem il no more than just TO mention all the
J. subal;ern officers, They were nearly all de-
S ,ached al difIeren, times, and in every sltua-
Al lion EXHIBIT ed con picuOuS skill and callaDtry