The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-19

battle of Buena Vista-accompaned by statement o
the force which won the victory and list OF the knie
and wounded This is the longest letter which ha
emanated during the campaign from It's author II Il
full of the most stirring and brilliant details No MAJ
can read without feeling proud OF the glory which ha
been reflected upon arms, and without anticipating
the deep moral impression which will make upon tn,
eastern world Ii commentaries achievement which il
destined to live long the page Of history The lette
from Col Price sheds much light upon the transactions il
New Mexico which five weeks ago produced such grea
anxiety and intense curiosity in the public mind Ii il
the first authentic official account which has been re
ceved for several weeks from that distant region.
Instead of anxiety for the fate of officers and troops
in New Mexico, deep feeling of JOY pride, and con
graduation has succeeded Col Price, of Missouri, who
resigned his seat in Congress to under the eagles
of his country, has added leaf 10 her aures His
admirable letter tells the story of the rebellion and its sup
preston Our stronger in New Mexico than ever
AS intelligent officer writes ''since this instruction has
been promptly suppressed, it is believed the country
in a safer condition than it has been since taken
possession Of" The whole series of events has, indeed
been most brilliant and glorious TO arms. There
has been no achievement in this whole SUPER,
or in its chvay and daring TO the attack and capture
of the church at Pueblo The victory has some
precious lives, among whom is Captain Burgwin of the
regular army. An officer who knew him intimately
writes that he army did furnish better specimen
of the combinaonvof the gentleman with the officer"
In all these affairs the enemy lost more than four to our
one.
No official dispatches have yet been received from the
detachment of the army under Colonel Doniphan
But the Mexican officials attest his gaantry in the cap
e VI, ~ A. Jofa,. r. "a. l.f.
In fact, the tide of victory pous in upon us from all
quarters AT all points we triumphant The fact is,
the character and habits of free institutions are calcu-
cuated cherish the best spirits and the most success
full soldiers in the world. '.What constitutes state
Man-hgh minded man." And 'those men are created
by the genial influence of liberty Our troops, like our
sailors, the finest possible materials for war Place
them under any command and be they regulars or vol
unteers, they will prove nvncibe They succeed in CAL
ifornia under Fremont and Kearny They triumph
in New Mexico under Kearny-in New Leon under
Tayor-in Vera Cruz under Scott-n Santa Fc and
chihuahua under Price and Doniphan. What can the
Mexcans expect from any with such soldiers?
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
General TayIors detailed report the
Vista.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Aqua Nueva, March 6, 1S47.
SIR: have the honor to submit detailed report of
he operations of the forces under my command which
resulted in the engagement OF Buena VISTA the repuse of
the Mexican army and the reoccupaton this position
The information which reached of the advance
and concentration of heavy Mexican force in nv front
had assumed such probable FORM as to induce spe-
cal examination far beyond the reach OF pckets to
ascertain its correctness small party OF Texan spies,
under Major McCuoch, despatched to the Hacienda of
Encarnacion, 80 miles from this, on the route to San
Luis Potos had reported cavalry force of unknown
strength at that place On the goth of February strong
reconnaissance under Lieut. Col May was despatched to
the Hacienda of Heconda, while Major McCulloch
made another examination of Encarnacon The results
OF these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy in
large force at Encarnacion under the orders OF General
Santa Anna, and that he meditaei forward movement
and attack upon our position.
AS the Camp OF Aqua Nueva could be turned on either
flank, and the enemys force greatly superior to
our own particularly in the Of cavalry, determined
after much consideration take up position about
eleven miles in rear, and there await the attack The
army broke up ITS camp and marched at the
cncampng at the position little in front of the Ha-
cenda of Buena Vista. With small force proceeded
to Sanllo to make some necessary arrangements for the
defence OF the town, leaving Brig Gen Wool in the inn
mediate command of the troops
Before those arrangements were completed the
morning of the 22d, was advised that the enemy in
sight, advancing. Upon reaching the ground it was
found that his cavalry advance 'front.' having
marched from Encarnaclon have since learned, al
O'CLOCK on the day previous, and driving in mounted
force lett at Aqua Nueva TO the removal of public
stores. Our troops were in position occupying line OF
remarkable strength The road at this point becomes
dee, the valley its right being rendered quite
mpractcable for artillery by system of deep and npas
sable gulles while on the left succession of rugged
ridges and precptous ravnes extends far back towards
the mountain which bounds the valley The features OF
the ground such nearly to parayZe the artillery
and cavalry OF the enemy, while his infantry could MOI
derive all the advantage OF its numerical superiority In
this position we prepared TO receive him. Capt Wash
ngtons battery (h artillery posted to command the
road, while the 1st and I'd Illinois regiments under Col
onels Hardin and Bsse each eight companies (tc
the latter OF which attached Capt Corners com.
pany of Texas volunteers, and the I'd Kentucky under
Col McKee, occupied the cress of the ridges on the left
and in rear The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments OF
cavalry, commanded by Coils. Yell and H. Marshall oc
cuped the extreme left the base of the mountain
while the Indiana brigade under Brgader General Lane
composed of the I'd and Sd regiments under Coils Bowes
squadrons of the st and I'd Dragons under Capt Steer
and Lieut. Col May, and the light batteries of Cap,s
Sherman and Bragg Sd artillery, were held in reserve
AT IL o'clock received from General Santa Anna sum
mons to surrender at discretion, which, with copy o.
my reply, have already transmitted. The enemy still
forbore his attack evidently waiting for the arrival
his columns which could be distinctly seen by ou
look-outs they approached the field. demonstration
made on his left caused detach the I'd Kentucky
regiment and section of artillery right in which
position they bivouacked for the night In the NEAR
lne the Mexican light troops had engaged ours on thu
extreme left, Composed of parts of the Kentucky
Arkansas cavalry dsmounted and rifle battalion from
the Indiana brigade under Major German, the Who'll,
commanded by Col. Marshall } and kept up sharp fire
climbing the mountain side, and apparently endeavornl
to gain flank. Three pieces OF Capt Washington
battery had been detached TO the left and supported
by the I'd Indiana regiment. An occasional shell wa
thrown by the enemy into this part of our ne but with
out effect The diminishing OF the light troops KEEP
came convinced that serious attack would be mad
before the morning, and returned with the Misssslpp