BUENA VISTA, a battleground of very rugged terrain, situated about 8 m. south of Saltillo, Mexico. There on Feb. 23, 1847, was fought the final engagement of the northern campaign of the war between Mexico and the United States (1846-48). Gen. Santa Anna, with some 20,000 Mexicans, moved north in order to overpower Maj.-Gen. Zachary Taylor's forces which, owing to dispersions and changes, numbered not more than 5,000 men. The coup was planned with cunning and the U.S. troops would have been at a disadvantage, had the Mexicans displayed more aggressiveness. As it was, the main American camp was surprised and withdrawn to Buena Vista. Col. Wool was left in command by Taylor, who went back to Saltillo to prepare that place for defence. Although Wool had selected the site and dis posed his troops well, before nightfall (Feb. 22) the defenders of the mountain pass in front had been repulsed. Next morning the Mexican army in force came through the pass, and nearly out flanked the troops who had re-ascended the mountain, when Washington's battery began to have a telling effect. In the centre, a regiment and a half of State troops fled before the Mexican onslaught. Other dragoons of militia, being cut off, withdrew in panic. Although Bragg, Sherman and O'Brien trained their guns on the Mexicans against great odds, the way to the Americans' rear lay open. Though Taylor's appearance on the scene lent confidence, he uttered so few directions that the initiative fell upon his trained subordinates. Col. Jefferson Davis with his Mississippians and Col. Bowles with the remaining Indianians charged and repulsed Ampudia's cavalry. Col. Davis, painfully wounded and bleeding, refused to leave his saddle until the field was secure.
Gen. Taylor ordered Hardin to charge a large force of Mexi cans in front. Although Bissell, McKee and Thomas joined in the attack, the Mexicans overwhelmed them. Hardin, McKee and Henry Clay perished, standing to the last. But Bragg and Sherman galloped from another part of the field with their tired batteries, and some of the Indiana and Mississippi regiments charged the enemy's flank and rear. Col. Davis was carried to his tent as the Mexicans began their retirement. Taylor had lost over 2,000 men, dead, wounded or missing in the engage ment. The Mexican losses are variously estimated but were doubtless heavy. Even though Santa Anna was still stronger in numbers, he withdrew to the south, fearing to risk another engagement.