The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-04

Aqua Nueva, and then had the flower
taken from him to reinforce Scott, who
was to command what was to be the
grand invasion by way Of Vera Cruz.
While Scott's force was being assem-
bled. Santa Anna saw an opportunity
to strike Taylor crushing blow. Tay-
1or's army had been reduced to less
than 5000 men, and OF these 30 per
cent. were volunteers. With between
10000 and 21,0O0 men, Santa Anna
marched from the City of Mexico IN
all haste. Taylor, who had ample
knowledge OF his movements. evacu-
ated Aqua Nueva and retreated to the
pass of La Angostura, near the haci-
enda of Buena Vista, and there awaited
the coming of the Mexicans.
1t was on ebruary ~, 1S4T-Wash-
ington's birthday-that the Mexicans
reached the pass. To try to force 1t
would have been suicidal, for one bat
terry would hold the defle against an
army; so Santa Anna prudently sent
| his men over the hills When they
were well UP the heights he opened
! communication with old Rough and
Ready. calling upon him to surrender.
He pointed out what folly it would be
for Taylor to contend against such
overwhelming odds, and declared 1t
would be humane for him to give up
his sword and prevent slaughter.
General Taylor's reply was not long.
but II was full of meat. In substance
1t told Santa Anna to come on and
night.
Although Taylor had the advantage
of position he had little reason for
confidence. Most OF his troops were
volunteers. many Of them raw recruits,
! who never had been in battle They
were excellent marksmen, had supreme
contempt for the Mexicans and So
| rene belief In themselves but they
were lacing in discipline and expert
ence. But there We're some fine soldiers
among them. Jefferson Davis, who
later was to become President of the
Confederacy, commanded a Mississippi
regiment Of riflemen. Davis was SOM
in-law of General Taylor. Braxton
! Bragg, who later was to become a lieu
! tenant general of the Confederate
! Army, commanded battery.
Thomas West Sherman. who later
was to become major-general in the
Union army, commanded another bat
terry. General Wool was second In
command and Hardin, Marshall and
Mckee We're among the colonels. A
company of Kentuckians was led by a
son of Henry Clay.
Taylor had posted riaemen on ono
of the ridges to dispute the passage
of the Mexicans, but early in the
morning Of the 23d. the American
pickets We're driven in and soon the
Mexican light infantry, led by General
Ampudla. came charging down one of
to saltillo to look to it's defense and
Wool, who commanded in his absence,
had posted Captain Washington's hat
terry on the right and O'I3rien's on the
left of this pass with infantry and a
squadron of dragons in the centre.
The fire from O'Brien's guns checked
Ampudia. but this simply was prelim-
mary to the general engagement A
division led by General Pachero had
made the passage Of the mountains
without interference. and coming
through ravine had formed on
ridge at the edge of the plateau. The
Second indiana Regiment and OBrien's
battery were hurried forward to drive
them back. The fire OF O'Brien's guns
was effective, but the Mexicans. too.
had brought UP a battery and 1t re-
sponded vigorously.
Under the heavy fire of the Mexican
infantry and the Mexican battery tho
Indiana regiment wavered, broke and
then fed, leaving o'Brien's men alone
with their guns. To add to the panic,
another division of the Mexicans, un-
der Lombardini, gained the southern
rim of the plateau. The two Mexican
columns united and the lancers dashed
upon the broken regiment. In Its
fight the Indiana regiment plunged
through the ranks of an Arkansas reg
iment This body OF volunteers caught
the fever of the panic, too, and fled. Only
OBrien and his men held their ground,
Every shot from their guns made a
gap in the Mexican horde. Half a
dozen times the battery was surround
ed, but still the men fought on, The
Second Illinois was sent to aid the
sorely stricken Indiana and Arkansas
men, who were being driven off the
plateau and into q ravire For short
time they held the enemy. but the
force was too small and had to give
way.
with a portion OF the American