Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1847-03-31
MEMORANDUM OF TIE BATTLE OF
BUENA VISTA

BUENA VISTA,
Prepared for the Editors Of the Picoyune ty Lieut
J. J. &. BIBB, L. - 4.
Dr. Turner. u. 5. A., who arrived at NIatamoras
on the 9th inst. from Monterey, brought the glorious
intelligence of another brilliant victory over the
Mexican army. The scene of action was at Buena
VISTA hacienda about SIX miles west of Salto.-
The fighting commenced on the .12d of February and
ended on the I'D Santa Anna retired to Aqua
Nueva, distance of ten miles, leaving four thousand
killed and wounded on the field. Santa Annals Ad
lu,ant General and many other officers and men
prisoners the loss on part hundred
Killed and wounded Santa Annals force amounted
10 at least fifteen thousand men, that OF Gen Taylor
To about five thousand, almost entirely volunteers
His army composed of Washington's, Bragg's and
Thomas batteries, one squadron OF the LIST and one
OF the "a dragoOns the Arkansas and Kentucky
airy, brigade of Illinois and of Indiana volun-
teerS, the Ist Mississippi and Kentucky regiments
and company OF Texas volunteers.
DR.. L. brought a list of 63 officers killed and
wounded. | left IN such haste | was unable TO obtain
copy bat recollect among the killed Capt Lincoln,
Asst Adl't Gen l.. ). A.; Col. Yell. of the Arkan-
sas cavalry; Capt. Moore Adl't Vaughan and three
others (uot named) Of the Kentucky cavalry; Col.
Mckee. Lieut.. Col. clay; Capt w Ills. ID Kentucky
Infantry Col. Hardin, OF the Illinois brigade Ma
Ior Gorinan, and many of the Indiana brigade
ri Of the Mississippi regiment and two LIeucnants
OF Texas volunteer. Among the wounded remem-
Der ten Lane, COL Jefferson DAVIS, ls Mississippi
Regiment, Capt. Stem, Isl u. s Dragons, Captain
Colnor Texas volunteers, LIeuts. ). u. French and
OBren [. ). Artillery, Lieut.. Barber, "a kentucky
Infantry, Lieut.. Corwn, l,t Mississippi Regiment,
and Lieut. " hiteside, OF the Indiana brigade
The oiicia dispatches Of Gen. Taylor have been
cut of. Gel. Morgan's regiment Ohio volunteers.
having been reinforced by a command from Monterey,
had reached that place III safety.
Col. Curtis OF OHIO with company, Capt. Hun
ter'S OF the "a U. ). Dragoons his own regiment,
one Of Indiana volunteers, the Virginia regiment, and
thank some Texas rangers, IN ali about 1000 mcn
was about to leave Camargo 10 attack Gen. Urea
vino said b. about thirty miles south of that place
with army OF from 4uUU 10 00tO men, principally
rancAero. lie believed to have with him only
loo regular troops.
great many II not all Of these rancheros, as soon
they hear Of the discontinue Of Santa Annals
my, VII dispense, and tie gallant Colonel Will 10
doubt obtain the victory. TINS from above
proves that The reports winch had before been
received Of Gen. TayorS retreat upon Monterey,
the advance Of large force to attack our dcpots at
the BrazO> and al tie mouth Of the Rio Grande, to be
OF the dciences al the mouth Of the
know nothing bat nave been told they sufficient
make strong The Notifications al the
Brazos with the force OF artillery and persons III the
quartermasteFs employ which can be raised as gar
rlson, Is sufficient To drive back command OF at
least 2JOO OF 3OU0 Mexlcans.
The work. which may be technically termed a con-
tnued lIne encoses all the quartermasers and COM
nissary's stores depot The parapet Is formed OF
barrels Of damaged commissary's stores, with sand
bags for the superior slope; the sand from ditch IN
front, thrown up against the barrels, forms the exe-
rIor slope.
The armament Of the fort consists of four pieces
Of artil.ery-twO Twelve and two slx-pOUDderS, IN
barbette-whlch sweep the foot OF and across their
fires upon the level plain over which the enemy would
be compelled 10 adj ance, and about 30O muskets to
line the parapet. This thrown up when at
tack was daily expected. Nothing having reached
from Gen. Taylor for many days, we believed him
surrounded, was reported, and gave degree OF
credit to the rurror Of the advance of large force
upon our depos. After waiting three or four days,
enxIousy expecting the approach OF the enemy, we
received the glorious abOye-understoOd OF
COURSE that the battle of BrazoS Santiago - no
60 ;; and when sailed the artillery Of Fort Harvey,
instead of moving down the Mexicans, was peang
forth salute In honor Of old " Rough and Ready y
and his gallant little army at Buena Vista. -
We annex Santa Annals account OF the actions
of Buena Vista, as translated for the Tampco Sent
mel We have the original Spanish account III oul
possession
CAMP NEAR BUEYA VISTA, Feb. %, 1917.
EXCELLENT SIR After two days of battle, II
which the enemy with force of SUOO to 1000 mel
md twentysix pieces of artillery lost five OF his pc
stlons three pieces of artillery and two flags have
determined to go back to Aqua Nueva to provide my
self with provisions, not having single buIscu
grain of rice left. Thanks to the position occupied by
enemy, he has not been completely beaten, but h'
Left the field about 1000 daed. Both armies have
been pieces but the trophies of war VIII give
you an idea on winch side has been the advantage
We have struggled with hunger and thirst durin.
forty hours and If provide ourselves with pro-
VISIONS we will 60 again to charge the enemy lh'
soldiers under my command have done their duty ant
covered the honor of Mexican nation with glory
The enemy has seen that neither his advantageous
position, the broken nature of the gr0und nor In
vIgOr of the season (for has been raining during
tine acton,) could prevent the terrible charge witt
tie bayonet which left him terrified
IL highly probable that the loss the part OF tn
Mexican forces is about 1000 men, whilst that Of tl
American side about $40. Gen. Taylor has n
doubt fallen back upon Salto, continued his cours
towards Monterrey Some say that the coun
try between Saltllo and Monterey is ned with
MexIcans: also, between Monterey and CamargC
and between Matamoras and the Brazos; but W
doubt the truth of them and, If true, we doubt thel
ability TO get hold Of any important point Their
Was story yesterday that the Mexcans had take
possession Of point Isabel, and that the schoont
Swan, which arrived yesterday, brought contlrina
ton of these facts. We need only say that there
not word OF truth III the report, as Tar as she IS col
cerned and that such news has been oihciaiiy II
celved by the commander OF this city.
AM OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED.
REGULARS.
kIlled-Capt. Lincoln Assistant Aduant Gc
eral.