140. Battle of Buena Vista.

After the capture of Monterey, the American forces were employed in various military movements having for their object the occupation of several places in the vicinity. On the 31st of January, 1847, General Taylor left Monterey for Saltillo, a distance of 65 miles in the direction of San Luis de Potosi. He reached this place on February 2d, and proceeded thence about 20 miles farther to Agua Nueva, where he encamped. At this point, hearing of the advance of General Santa Anna, with a large force to attack him, General Taylor fell back to the hacienda of Buena Vista, a strong position in a mountainous pass, which could be defended against superior numbers.

On the morning of the 22d of February, the Mexican army, twenty thousand in number, of the finest troops of Mexico, were seen approaching the field of conflict in perfect order, presenting a most imposing scene of military splendor. The force under General Taylor consisted of about five thousand men; of which no more than 500 were regular troops, the others being volunteers. On the right wing of the American position, were numerous deep and almost impassable ravines; while on the left were the precipitous mountains of the "Sierra Madre," towering into the air upward of two thousand feet.

General Taylor having refused a summons to surrender at discretion, sent by General Santa Anna, the Mexican forces endeavored to outflank the American left, by ascending the mountain. The Kentucky and Arkansas troops being stationed at this point, clambered up the rugged ascent to counteract this movement, firing as they advanced. The firing continued till after dark, and the whole side of the mountain from its base to its summit, seemed at times a sheet of fire. The Americans, however, retired, lying on their arms during the night, leaving the enemy in possession of the heights.

Early next morning, a powerful body of the Mexicans advanced upon the American left flank near the mount

ain, and forced it back about 250 yards. They however rallied, and bravely contested the field with the enemy. The conflict continued with slight intermissions till night. For several hours, the fate of the day seemed doubtful, and it is said that General Taylor was urged by some of his officers to fall back and take up a new position, which however, he refused to do. The Americans retained their position, and repulsed the enemy by their superior skill in the management of their artillery.

The bloodiest part of the conflict, took place near the close of the day, in an attack made on the Mexican left, which was supposed to have been weakened by the events of the day. The Illinois and Kentucky regiments, came in contact with a column of the enemy 12,000 in number, who forced them into a ravine, where being disordered, they were shot down in great numbers by the overwhelming force of the Mexicans. Colonels Hardin, M'Kee, and Lieut. Col. Clay, son of the distinguished statesman of that name, who fell wounded at this fatal spot, were lanced to death, and stripped of their clothing. Night put a stop to the contest, and both armies occupied the same position which they did in the morning before the battle commenced. The Americans laid on their arms during the night, expecting the next day a renewal of the conflict, but when morning dawned it was found that the Mexicans had retired from the field leaving their dead and wounded, upward of two thousand in number, including several officers of high rank, to the mercy of the Americans.

The American loss was two hundred and sixty-seven killed; four hundred and fifty-six wounded; and 23 missing, and three guns captured by the enemy. Twentyeight officers were killed on the field of battle. The retreat of the Mexicans is represented as peculiarly distressing. Previous to the battle they had suffered much from the want of food, water, and a shelter from the weather. After the action, their miseries were increased. In many instances they were obliged to abandon their sick and wounded companions on a desert steeped in their own blood, shivering with cold, parched with thirst, to be de

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voured by jackals and dogs; who often in sight, awaited their horrid banquet. The loss sustained by the Mexican army by sickness and desertion, in their return from Buena Vista to San Luis, exceeded 10,500 men.

141. Expedition against New Mexico.

The orders for the organization of a force, for the conquest and occupation of New Mexico and Upper California, were issued in May, 1846, and Colonel Kearney was appointed to command the expedition. A requisition was made on the governor of Missouri, for one thousand mounted volunteers, to follow on his route. Colonel Kearney was authorized to raise such a number of Mormons, who were preparing to emigrate to California, as he might think proper, provided this number did not exceed one third of his entire force.

By the last of July, "the army of the west," consisting of eighteen hundred men, was concentrated near Brent's Fort, on the Arkansas river. Before his entry into New Mexico, Col. Kearney issued a conciliatory proclamation to the inhabitants, stating that he entered the country "for the purpose of seeking union with, and ameliorating the condition of its inhabitants." The governor of the country, General Armijo, collected a few soldiers of the Mexican army, a body of militia, New Mexicans, and Indians; in all between three and four thousand men, with six pieces of artillery, and took post about fifteen miles from Santa Fé, to dispute the advance of the invaders. Upon the near approach of Kearney, Armijo called a council of war in which his principal officers advised a retreat. He adopted the advice, broke up his force, collected his property, all the merchandise he had in Santa Fé, and fled southward to the interior of Mexico.

General Kearney reached the town of Vegas, August 14th, and the next day, took the first step in establishing the civil authority of the United States, by assembling