New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-06-15
Brevet Brig. Gen. q. 9. A. Commanding.
The Adjutant General Of The Army. Washington, D. C.


The Adjutdnt General Of the Army. Washington, D. {.
Gen. Arista's Account of the Battlc of Pnlo
Alto.
From the New Orleans Delta, June S.
From the Boletin de la digiSi0n del Norte, pub
shed at Matamoros on the l4h OF May we translate the
following official document relative TO the battle oil Fao
'''0 ''' ~ NORTHERN DIVISION
GFyyRAL.Is.CHIEF :-Constaut in my purpose
=, preventing Gen Taylor from efecting Junction De
tween the forces he was taking from santa lsaoei anu
those which lie left at he ortincaons opposite Matao
ros set OF to-day from the Tonquds del RdmTeno from
which place addressed your EXcelency my last dis
patch and 1 marched toward Pao Alto as soon as my
spes informed the enemy had left santa ISABEL a
termined TO introduce into their iortica noe VI
wagons loaded with provisions and artillery.
arrived opposite Pao Alto about O'Clock, 7. III ano
saw the enemy was entering Inc place. WIN al tic
forces had proceeded form my line of battle on
large plain; woody elevation supporting my right dahk,
with quagmre the LEFT, difficult OF penetration.
Scarcely had fred FIST gIn when the SECOND COM
unander chief Gen. Don Pedro Ampudla arrived as
had warned him 20 join N he had well rein
forced the several points which were necessary 10 oesese
eneys troops that were left In the ioruncauohs OPP
posite Matamoros.
The forces under my command 5000 men and l2
pieces Of artillery OF the invaders were 5000 men,
or riAe less. and superior force OF artillery As they
numbered 20 pieces OF 10 and l3-pounters.
The battle commenced With such arior that me ai.ns
OF cannon did for mement, curing "ncn tne
enemy enteavoied to follow their course toward hata-
oros IN order suspend the siege OF their troops al le
or;isc alton With such object they set nre 70 su
berry and grass az form opposite their line inca
smoke by which they succeeded IN hiding themselves ron
cur view l. through necessary operations, oe'ea'e
their object on two different occasions
General TAYLOR maintained his attack more as oeen-
sve offensive one using chiefly the pes. pa. VI us
forces-the artillery by half OF his infantry
and all his cavalry reservng the rest 10 ortiy the uf
dis.snce of about thousand yards from the eo
Twas anxious 70 make charge on the enemy. because
the cannon balls caused great loss on our es and ORDER
ed Gem Don Anssasio Torrejon TO execute II win me
greater part Of the cavalry our ie HANK IN oost 70
give the charge the nn with the hianE anu ne
rest Of the cavalry on the rlshi 1anh.
7 wa, waiting the moment II which General iorleJon
should commence the charge and that Inc enemy snouo
begin feel s effect in order 10 give ne I'M pu-se On sas
right bur the effort checked By counter no'eneu'
of portion Of the enemys force that defended ArSn'
which prevented the attack.
some OF our companies were impatient on account oil
the loss we had suffered and they commenced 70 get OUT
Of order asking that should give The command 70 al
vance az once retreat AT sucn moment ososteo
a column of cavalry, under command OF Colonel ION
Cayeano Montero, charge. win the view lna. he
thrown our of order should resume their position
and il all possible manner march on the enemy, ~no;
owing 10 the great distance az Wnlcn leey s1ooo, Su
time TO fall back the reserve ano hgo! sPpioaSnus
fast. the battle ended, and we remaineo VI 'ne
6ed. I,
After this result every measure necessary 70 me GU
cumstarces .sken. and our division encampeo on
more concentrated ground In the same os,te-neld
The combat was long and bloody one, winch may De
better explained by The calculation OF The Commander
tn-Chef OF Artillery, Gen. Don Tomas 9equena, who
assures me tha. tie enemy fred over 5000 cannon shot
from 10 O'Clock, P " (at which hour the battle ter
minated and cur artillery fred only about $50 shot.
Our aru1s supported with honor 10 the naton IS
We did not Yield inch OF ground. Notwithstanding
the superiority Of the ensmy artillery they suffered great
loss.
Our troops had The misfortune Of losing 252 men In ms
battle. among dead. wounded and dispersed Those .nht
los, thelr ves IN defence q the most iast and noy OF
causes worthy offs national remembrance Of sFsunoe
for their bravery and yRlor.
Your E1cellencr will oblse me by giving notice, with
The foregoing account to Eis Excelleney the fIescent
stating that wiz take give full and detailed as
patch OF this battle and at tia same TINE recommend tne
vaian. conduc; OF al the generals, chiefs ocess and
men lha; under nay charge for the! sustained tae