set by rancheros, he hastened forward and took command of his company in the morning. In the first engagement of the 23d this company was particularly distinguished, and fulfilled the expectations which its high state of discipline had warranted. Second Lieutenant McNulty was killed when leading a portion of the company in a charge. First Lieutenant Greaves and Second Lieutenant Hampton, for their gallantry in battle and uniform good conduct, deserve the highest consideration. "There were many instances of both officers and men who, after being wounded, remained upon the field and continued to discharge their duties until active operations had ceased. Such was the case of Captain Sharp, who, though shot through both thighs, evinced so great reluctance to leave the field that he was permitted to remain and follow his company on horseback. "Lieutenants Posey, Corwine, and Stockard were wounded, but set the valuable example of maintaining their posts. Such, also, was the conduct of Sergeants Scott of Company C, and Hollingsworth of Company A, of private Malone of Company F, and of others whose names have not been reported to me. "In addition to the officers already com mended in this report, I would mention as deserving of especial consideration for their gallantry and general good conduct, Lieutenants Calhoun and Dill and Arthur and Harrison and Brown and Hughes. "It may be proper for me to notice the fact that, early in the action, Colonel Bowles, of Indiana, with a small party from his regiment, which he stated was all of his men that he could rally, joined us, and expressed a wish to serve with my command. He remained with us throughout the day, and displayed much personal gallantry. "Referring for casualties in my regiment to the list which has been furnished, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, "Your obedient servant, "JEFFERSON DAVIS, Colonel Mississippi Rifles. 'TO MAJOR W. W. S. BLISS, A. A. G.” When Colonel Davis was helped off his horse, in an almost fainting condition, his leg had swollen so that it filled his boot; pieces of his brass spur and of his stocking had been driven through his foot into the wound and became embedded there. Captain Eustis, a friend and comrade, sat by him all night and kept a stream of cold water pouring over the wound, which, his surgeon thought, prevented lockjaw from supervening. General Taylor, when he was informed that Colonel Davis was killed, was so excited that he exclaimed, "I will never believe it," and sent one after another to inquire without waiting for an answer. The soft-hearted old hero found time to go himself after night to inquire after Colonel Davis, and began the interview saying: "My poor boy, I wish you had been shot in the body, you would have a better chance of recovering soon. I do not like wounds in the hands or feet, they cripple a soldier awfully." Note from Dubuque Herald: "When the news came to Dubuque of the victory over Santa Anna by old Zach, through the tact, skill, and bravery of Colonel Jefferson Davis, who was reported mortally wounded, there was such an enthusiastic celebration and glorification, chiefly on Davis's account, as has never since taken place, and the Iowa Legislature passed resolutions complimentary to Colonel Davis, upon the gallantry displayed by himself and his brave Mississippi Riflemen at the battle of Buena Vista." Extracts from General Taylor's detailed report of the battle of Buena Vista: "March 6, 1847. "The Mississippi Riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly conspicuous for gallantry and steadiness, and sustained throughout the engagement the reputation of veteran troops. Brought into action against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for a long time unsupported, and with heavy loss, and held an important part of the field until reinforced. "Colonel Davis, though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action. His distinguished coolness and gallantry, and the heavy loss of his regiment on this day, entitle him to the particular notice of the Government." From the report of General Wool: "HEADQUARTers of the ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Twenty miles South of Saltillo, Mexico, "To Colonel Davis and the Mississippi regiment under his command, whose services were conspicuous in the engagements in the rear of our left, great credit is due for the part they performed, and much praise for their conspicuous gallantry, which caused them to be a rallying-point for the force that was driven in from the left, and who, in connection with the Second Indiana, under its gallant Colonel, constituted almost the only force opposed to the heavy column of the enemy. "JOHN E. WOOL, Brigadier General. "TO MAJOR W. S. BLISS, A. A. G.” General Wool estimates General Taylor's army at Buena Vista at 4,600. The force of the enemy (including General Minon's lances) at 20,000 or more. Mr. Estes, from whom I have quoted later, said: " During the progress of the battle of Buena Vista, just after the first engagement of the Mississippi Rifles with a large portion of Santa Anna's army, and before the Mexican legions had recovered from the shock which hurled them back upon their reserve forces, Colonel Davis ordered the Ordnance Sergeant to serve his men with more ammunition. Each man was provided with sixty cartridges, twenty-four of which were distributed ready for use in the top of the cartridge-boxes, and thirty-six in packages placed in the receptacle attached to the cartridge-boxes, to be used as occasion required. This stock had been entirely exhausted in the first charge made by the regiment and in the subsequent repulse of the enemy. The Mexican bugles were already sounding and their drums beating for |