Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-05-07


Wis. the snuadrons of the lst and 2nd dragons.
under Can't. Stecn and Lieut. Col. Nav. and
lirht batteries OF Captains Sherman and BRAGG.
3rd artillery. were held in reserve. AT IL o.
clock. | received from General Santa Anna Il
summons to surrender at discretion. which.
with a copy ormy rdply, | have already trans
in0ed The enemy still fcrborc his attack, cyi-
IDENTIFY waiting for the arrival of his rear col
umns. which could Be distinctly srch by our
ook-outs as they approached the field. a de-
nonstraton made on his left caused me to de-
tach the 2nd Kentucky regiment and section
of artillery TO our right, i'll which position they
bvouackcd for the nj lit In the meantime, the
Mexican light troop had engaged ours on the
extreme left. composed Of parts ofthc Kentucky
and Arkansas cavalry dismomtcd, and rifle
battalion from the Indiana brigade mdoi Mai.
German. the whole commanded by Col. Mar
shall, and kept up u sharp fire, climbing the
mountain side, and apparently endoavoring to
gain our flank. Three pieces Of Capt Washing
toms battery had been 1,'achcA to the left, and
were supported ny IT, ID indiana regiment. -
An occasional she'll was thrown by the enemy
into this part OF our liuc, but without effect
The diminishing of our light troops was kept up
with triiiing loss on orr part. until dark, when |
became convinced that no serious attack would
Dc Iltit DcIbTc INC iubIllilD. anu ltiUIlItu WIN
the Mississippi regiment 4 squadron of 2nd dra-
goons to Saltilo. The troops bvouackcd without
fires, and laid upon their arms. y body of cav
airy, some 800 strong had been visible all day
in rear Of the town, having entered the valley
| through narrow pass east OF the city. This
cavalry, commanded by General Minon, had
evidently been thrown III our rear to break up
and harass our retreat, and perhaps make some
attempt against the town. if practicable. The
/ city was occupied by four excellent companies
Of Illinois volunteers, under Major Warren, of
the first regiment. a iiciworl which COM
mandcd most ottIc approaches, was garrisoncd
by Captain Wcbsters company. list artillery,
and armed with two = pound howitzcrs. while
the train and hcadquarter camp was guarded by
two companies of Mississippi ritlcmen, under
Capt. Rogers and a felix piece commanded by
Capt. Shower, Srd artillery. Having made
these dispositions for the protection Of the rear,
! proceeded, on the morning. Of the 23d. TO Blu
ena Vista, ordering forward all the other valua-
bic troops. The action had commenced before
my arrival on the field
During the evening and night Of the 22l, the
enemy had thrown Il body of light troops on the
mountain side, with the purpose of outilanking
our left; and it was here that the action of the
23d commenced at an early hour. Our rillcmon
under Colonel Marshall, who had been rciniur-
ccd by Three companies under Major Trail, End
Illinois volunteers, maintained their ground
handsomely, against Il greatly superior force,
holding themselves under cover. and using their
weapons with deadly effect. About 8 o'clock,
a strong demonstration was made against the
centre of our position, a heavy column moving
along the road. This force was soon dispersed
! bya few rapid and wcll-dircctcd shots from Capt
| Washington's battery. In the mean time the
enemy was concentrating LARGE force of in
fantry y cavalry under cover of the ridges. with
| the obvious intention of forcing orr left, which
Was posted on an extensive plateau. The 2nd
!nd'nis and 2nd illinois r--,i"o",' e,""'oi 'ii-
part % orr line, The former covering 'hrer pc
&C.. OF hight artillery, "uder t,e ordtrs oi NaII'
. Hrrn-brgadIcrn ehcrai Lane oe'iE III ,'ie
immediate c1lh'naro' N "ruer 10 p''II n'1
men Wilhlh ehcc'lVe range ven: Lane oTucIcu
,ne artillery ana ma ii'"'tIrt regiment FORWARD;
ihcart!lery advanced w''h'n miSNet range Oh
heavy body OF AieA'cah itli"h'ry' ana was
served agMns, At with great erect put Wilhont
beng abic TO chccN IT'S ADVANCE; me ,i''aiiIr!
ordered To i'' support had f.'eii oicN !" "HoluI'
ne!h@ exposed u wen rs l'c pa''cr!' "o' ON!
to severe ilrc OF small arms rom inc 'front.' o"'
tiso 10 ih"rIeroUS cross 'lrc u "l'c an" t''.-
l'lcr rom MEXICAN h'''crY on inc ieij' ''P!'
. iificn l"u"d It "hp",1'nie 20 I1Iatii MS PoSr
tioh without support; Du' was oiiy ''o'c 10 "'l"-
draw TWO 81 ms pieces, All 'he hQt1t7 ana can
noncer5 o. the MIRA piece beng RllItu or oiS'l,
pea lhe INA Indiana rcglihrut, "li'n haI
ia'lth BACK as stated co"d npt ~ It''cu, an"
TOOK II" iur'Ilcr aclloh except Il hth"'"t "a ''t"
who, under lis gallant Col. boWlc', joined the
Mississippi regiment, and did good service, ana
those lugiiiycS who, at later period IN the day
assisted m defending the tram and depot at Due
IA VISTA, 1his portion ct onr me having CIV
en- way. and the enemy appearing III ONcrWhclm-