Miñon with a strong detachment of cavalry had been stationed in advance for some time at the hacienda of Potosí, observing the movements of the enemy. Santa Anna's advance was conducted under every hardship that nature could inflict. Pitiless storms of rain, alternating with icy sleet and impeding snow, beat for days upon the ill-clad troops, who at night bivouacked shelterless and half-frozen on the cold ground. When the sky cleared the burning sun, as it poured its rays on the desert, caused no less affliction. Heat and thirst were as insupportable as the cold and wet. Many perished, numbers sank exhausted on the ground, and desertions were numerous. By the time the army reached Encarnacion, it was greatly reduced.[1]
While Taylor was absent on his expedition to Victoria, some partial success had attended the Mexican operations. Wool, who was stationed at Buena Vista, upon rumors arising that the army at San Luis Potosí was advancing, sent forward, January 18th, a reconnoitring party of fifty cavalrymen under Major Borland, to Encarnacion. Borland was joined the next day by Major Gaines and Captain Clay with about thirty men, and decided to extend his reconnoissance to Salado. That night, however, the hacienda was surrounded by Miñon's cavalry, which had rapidly moved from Matehuala, and the American officers, deeming resistance useless, surrendered,[2] the whole
- ↑ Pacheco's division arrived on the 17th, and the last brigades on the 20th and 21st of February. The loss is put down at 4,000 in Méx., Apunt. Hist. Guerra, 93-7. Santa Anna reviewed his troops at Encarnacion. They then amounted to 14,048 men, exclusive of Miñon's cavalry division, numbering 1,200, stationed at the hacienda of Potosí, and which was ordered to advance by the pass of Palomas de adentro, and intercept the enemy then at Agua Nueva between that place and Saltillo. Rápida Ojeada, Campaña Santa Anna, 8, 11-12. American accounts place Minon's brigade at 2,000 cavalry-men. Carleton's Battle of Buena Vista, 11. Taylor estimated it at about 1,500. U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 30, Ses. 1, Sen. Ex. 1, p. 133.
- ↑ Wool's report in Id., 60, p. 1106--7. Miñon reported having captured two field-officers, four other officers, and 76 men. El Sonorense, Feb. 18, 1847, tom. i. no. 29, p. 3-4. The total number of captives according to Taylor's official list was 70. U. S. Govt Doc., ut sup., 56, p. 301-3.
