11 AM, Saltillo, February 23, 1847
“11 o.c. [o ‘clock] A.M. A great many are coming in from the field. They report that our left flank has been turned and that the whole army is retreating….
"11 o.c. [o 'clock] A.M. A great many are coming in from the field. They report that our left flank has been turned and that the whole army is retreating. The firing which a short time ago had slackened is now very rapid. The men coming in are principally from the Indiana regiments. From their account there has been hard fighting. Many of them came into town without arms and some of them without their hats."
--unkown scribe, stationed in Saltillo with Co. A, 1st Illinois Infantry
Remember, this day, the heroes of Buena Vista. 4,500 Americans stood up to Santa Anna's army of 18,000.
John Adams-Graf ("JAG" to most) is the editor of Military Trader and Military Vehicles Magazine. He has been a military collector for his entire life. The son of a WWII veteran, his writings carry many lessons from the Greatest Generation. JAG has authored several books, including multiple editions of Warman's WWII Collectibles, Civil War Collectibles, and the Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. He is a passionate shooter, wood-splitter, kayaker, and WWI AEF Tank Corps collector.
