Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

1845-1853.] THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 211
menccd on the evening of the 22d (mark the day), and continued during the night. About 7 A.M. of the 23d the battle began in earnest, and
we fought until 5 P.M., when the enemy retired from the field. The next
morning they were in full retreat, and in the evening encamped about
ten miles from the battle-ground, the last place at which they could get
water for a long distance. Our position was a strong one, which we did
not wish to lose, and we were weak in numbers, or we would have pursued them. They encamped at Agua Nueva; the battle was fought at
'Buena Vista,' ten miles this side.
" I was in the action from its commencement to its close-with General
Taylor part of the time, General Wool part of the time, and carrying their
orders to different parts of the field. I flatter myself I made myself almost as useful as ornamental. I came off, thanks to God, without a
wound. How it was I know not, for the musket-balls flew thick as hail
around me, and a cannon-shot would occasionally throw up the dust
near me. 'Twas an awful fight, and 'tis said by all to be much harder
than that of Monterey. Ten hours' fighting is no trifle. I came to Mexico to see the 'elephant.' I have seen him, and am perfectly willing
never to see him again. General Wool behaved most nobly, and well
has he earned the brevet of Major-general.
"I can hardly think that Santa Anna will try it again. Their loss,
'tis said (I do not believe it), was between three and four thousand, ours
I do not think exceeds five hundred in killed and wounded. Many valuable lives have been lost. Captain Lincoln (son of Governor Levi Lincoln, of Massachusetts), Adjutant-general to General Wool, and one of the
noblest, most chivalrous, and gallant soldiers, was killed at the commencement of the action, while encouraging an Indiana regiment to stand its
ground.
"Lieutenant-colonel Henry Clay, Jr., of the Kentucky foot, is also
numbered among the dead. A more gallant soldier or high-minded and
honorable man never lived. He and Lincoln were among my best
friends. Clay was my classmate when I entered West Point, and we
have always been warm friends. Poor fellow, he is gone! Colonel Yell,
of Arkansas, formerly Governor of the State, is among the killed, and
many others whom I have not time to enumerate.
"I will only mention one thing more, and let it be strictly entre nous.
I ought not, perhaps, either to say anything about it; but as I have commenced here goes:
" Soon after the fight commenced one of the Indiana regiments, which
was exposed to a tremendous fire from the enemy, broke and ran. They
were some distance off when General Wool met me-I was then with
the dragoons, and about to charge with them-and ordered me to rally