Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-08-17


the other available troops. The action had
commenced before my arriyalon the field.
During the evening and night of the 22d the
enemy had thrown a body of light troops on
the mountain side, with the purpose of out-I
hanking our left; and it was here that the ac-
ton of the 23d commenced at an early bout
Our rifiemen under Colonel Marshall. who had
been reinforced by three com panies under Ma.
Jor Trail, I'd Illinois volunteers, maintained
their ground handsomely against greatly SUI
perlor'i force, holding themselves under c8ser,
ana using their weapons with deadly effect
ABOUT 8 O'Clock strong demonstration was
made against the centre of our position, a heavy
column moving along the road This force wasI
soon dispersed BY few rapid and well-direct-
ed shots from Capt. Washingtons battery. In
the meantime the enemy was concentrating
large force of infantry and cavalry under cover
OF the ridges with the obvious intention of for
cling our left. which was posted on an extensive
plateau. The I'd Indiana and 81 Illinois regi-I
ments formed this part of our line, the former
covering three pieces Of light artillery, under
the orders of Capt. O'Brien-Brig. Gen Lane
being in the immediate command In order to
bring his men within effective range, General
Lane ordered the artillery and ID Indiana regi-
ment forward. The artillery advanced within
musket range of a heavy body of Mexican in
tantry and was served with great effect, but
without being able 10 check its advance. The
infantry ordered to- lis support had fallen back
in disorder, being exposed, as well as the bat
terry. not only to severe fire fsmall arms from
the front, but also 10 murderous cross fire of
grape and canister from Mexican battery on
the left. Capt. o Brien found it impossible to
retain his position without support, but was
only able to withdraw two ofhis pieces, all the
horses and cannoneers of the third piece killed
or disabled. The I'd Indiana regiment, which
had fallen back as stated, could not be rallied
and took no further part in the action. except a
/ handful of men who. under its gallant Col
/ Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment and
/ did good service, and those fugatives who, at
d latter period in the day, assisted in defending
the train and depot at Buena Vista. This por-
ton OF our line having given away, and the en-
envy appearing in overwhelming force against
our left flank, the light troops which had rem
dered such good service on the mountain, were
! compelled 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 az
forwards contributed.
Col Bisselfs regiment. I'D Illinois, which
had been joined by sectionofCapt. Shermans
and was compelled to fall back being entirely
battery, had become completely outAlanked
unsupported. The enemy was now pouring
masses Of infantry and cavalry along the base
of the mountain on the left, and was gaining
our rear IN great force. At this moment, | ar
: rived upon the field. The Mississippi regi-
ment had been directed TO the left before rea-
r ching the position and Immediately came in
: to action against the Mexican Infantry which
: had turned our flank. The Kentucky regi-
ment and section of artillery under Capt.
: Bragg, had previously been ordered from the
right to reinforce ourle and arrived at most
, opportune moment. That regiment and a
: portion OF the LIST Illinois, under Col. Hardin,
CALAMITY drove the enemy, and recovered a
| portion of the ground we had lost. The bat
teries of Capt. Sherman and Bragg were in po-
: sition on the plateau, and did muh execution
: not only in front but particularly upon the
messes which had gained our rear Discover
ing that the enemy was heavily pressing upon
the Mississippi regiment, the 81 Indiana reg
a iment, under Col. Lane. was despatched 10
/. strengthen that part of our line, which formed
D crotchet perpendicular TO the first line of bat
: tie. At the same time Lieut.. kilburn, with
n piece of Capt Bragg's battery was directed
to support the infantry there engaged The
q action was fora long time warmly sustained
! that polnt-the enemy making several efforts
n both with infantry and cavalry against ou
: line, and always repulsed with heavy loss.
d had placed all the regular cavalry and Capt
II Pixies squadron of Arkansas horse under III
n orders OF Brevet Lieut.. Col. May, with direc
er tons to hold in check the enemy's column
re still advancing TO the rear along the base of tn
lie mountain, which was done i'll conjunctiel
r with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry lin
r der Coils. Marshall and Yell. In the mean
m time our left, which was still strongly threat
le ened by superior force, was further strength
Cd ht-t ba dof., ,cC
n portion of Capt. Sherman's batteries, to tina
OF quarter. The concentration of artillery fiji
le upon the muses. Of the enemy along the bas
is OF the mountain, and the determined resis
OF ance offered by the two regiments opposed t
re them, had created confusion in their ranks, an
some of the corps attempted to effect retire;
id upon their main line of battle. The squadro
i OF the LIST dragons under Lieut. Rucker, wa
ch now ordered up to the deep ravine which thes
as retreating corps were endeavoring to cross
D. order TO charge and disperse them. The squa(
c ron proceeded TO the point lndica ted, BIZ
ne could not accomplish the object, being expt
y sed to heavy fire from a battery establisht
sll to cover the retreat of those corps. While Il
1T the squadron was detached on this service,
NJ large body of the enemy was observed to COZ
e, centrate on our extreme lett. apparently Wi
er the view of making descent upon the hacle
l. da of Buena Vista, where our train and ba
st gage were deposited Lieut. Col. May WI
H. ordered to the support of that point, with ~
sr- pieces of Capt. Sherman's battery under Lieu
re- Reynolds. In the meantime the scattered 70
ces near the hacienda, composed in part
tia Majors Trail and Germans commands, HI
m, been TO some extent organised under the a
dy vice of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, Wi
at the assistance of Majo: Morrison, volunte
lls staff, and were posted to defend the postio
By Before our cavalry had reached the haciend
that of the enemy had made its attack havi
to been handsomely met BY the Kentucky and
on kansas cavalry under Coils Marshal and 1e
ley The Mexican column Immediately divide
me one portion sweeping by the depot, where
on receiveda destructive fire from the force VIII
he had collected there, and then gaining the mou
ed tain opposite, under fire from Lieut.. Re
ide nolds section, the remaining portion reSa
leu ing the base of the mountain on our lett.
nb- the charge al Buena Vista, Col. Yell fell g
aV- lantly at the head ofhis regiment; we also K
Pt. Adj't Vaughan, of the kentucky cavalry
the young officer of much promise. Lest c
eg May, who had been rejoined by the squads