The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-27

line was now plainly visible across the
prairie, about three quarters of mile
distant. Their left, which was com.
posed of heavy force of cavalry, oc.
cupied the road, resting upon thicket
of chapparal, while masses of infantry
were discovered in succession on the
right, greatly outnumbsring our own
force.
Our line Of battle was now formed in
the folio wing order, commencing on
the extreme right: 9th infantry. COM
manded by Lieut.. Col. Mcintosh; Ma
jor Ringgold's artillery; Sd infantry,
commanded by Captain l.. N. Morris;
two ls-pounders, commanded by Lieut..
Churchill. Sd artillery; 4th infantry,
commanded by Major G. W. Allen;
the Sd and 4th regiments composed the
Sd brigade, under command of Lieut..
Col. Garland; and all the above corps,
together with two squadrons of dra-
goons under Captains Ker and May,
composed the right wing, under the Or
ders Of Col. Twiggs. The left was
formed by the battalion of artillery CON-
manded by Lieut.. Col. Childs, Capt.
Duncan's light artillery, and the 9th in
fantry, under Captain Montgomery
all forming the list brigade, under COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. Belknap. The
tram was packed near the water, un-
der the direction of Captains Crosman
and Myers, and protected by Captain
Ker's squadron.
At2 O'Clock we took up the march
by heads Of columns, in the direction of
the enemy-the 18-pounder battery
following the road. While the columns
were advancing, Lieut.. Blake, topo-
graphical engineers, volunteered a re-
connoisance Of the enemy's line, which
was handsomely performed, and result
ed in the discovery of at least two bat
teries of artillery in the intervals Of
their cavalry and infantry. These bat
teries were soon opened upon US; when
| ordered the columns halted and de-
ployed into line, and the fire 10 be re-
turned by all our artillery. The 9th
infantry, on our extreme left, was
thrown back to secure that flank. The
first fires of the enemy did little exc
cution, while our 18-pounders and Ma
jor Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed
the cavalry, which formed his leit.-
Captain Duncans battery, thrown for
ward in advance of the line, was doing
execution at this time. Capt. Mays
squadron was now detached to sup
port that battery, and the left of our
position. The Mexican cavalry, with
two pieces Of artillery, were now re-
ported to be moving through the chap
paral to our right, to threaten that
flank, or make demonstration against
the train. The 5th infantry was i'm
mediateIy detached to check this move
ment, and, supported by Lieut.. Ridge
ly, with a section of Major RInggold's
battery and Capt. Walkers company
of volunteers efectually repulsed the
enemy-the 5th infantry repelllng a
charge of lancers, and the artillery do
ing great execution in their ranks. The
Sd infantry was now detached to the
right as a still further security to that
flank yet threatened by the enemy.
Major Ringgold, with the remaining
section, kept up his fire from an advanc-
ed position and was supported by the
4th infantry.
The grass of the prairie had been ac-
cidentally fired by our artillery, and
the volumes of smoke now partially
concealed the armies from each other.
As the enemy's left had evidently been
driven back and left the road free as
the cannonade had been suspended, |
ordered forward the l8'pounders on
the road nearly to the position first oc.
cupied by the Mexican cavalry, and
caused the 1st brigade to take up new
position still on the left of the l8-poun-
der battery. The 5;h was advanced
from its former position and occupied
point on the extreme right of the
new line. The enemy made change
of position corresponding to our own,
and after suspension of nearly an hour
the action was resumed.
The fire of artillery was now most
misunderstanding were constant
ly made through the enemy's ranks by
our fire, and the constancy with which
the Mexican infantry sustained this
severe cannonade was theme OF uni
versal remark and admiration. Capt.
Mays squadron was detached to make
demonstration on the left Of the ene-
my's position, and suffered severely
| from the fire of artillery to which il
was for some time exposed. The 4th
infantry which had been ordered to sup
port the lS-pounder battery, was ex-
posed to a most calling fire Of artillery,
by which several men Were killed and
Capt. Page dangerously wounded.-