Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-04

ment, for some tune, at least, ia this pan Of
the world. We could not afford TO be driven
back a single inch, and ali were prepared for
any thing but retreat.
On the morning Of the 9Th the Mexican a.
my left the field at early dawn, and after arran-
ging our train, we commenced the march to-
wards our Fort at this place. At 2 o'clock, p.
H. we found the enemy drawn up in great
force occupying a rayine, which our road
crossed, with thick ''ehapparal" or thorny
bushes on either side, where ii crossed the ra-
vine, constituting a complete dehle. They were
1000 strong, we 81 weaker than the previous
day. The General ordered an immediate at
tack, by all the troops except the First Brigade,
which was kept IN reserve, and soon the rat
ting fire Of musketry, mingled with the heavy
sound OF artilley, announced the commence
ment Of the action. The enemy had chosen
his position which he considered impregnable
was vastly superior to us in numbers, and
had ten pieces OF artillery planted in the de-
file, which swept the road with grape, and
which it was absolutely necessary for US to
take before he could be beaten. These pieces
were flanked on either side by Regiment Of
brave troops, from TampIeo, and we were
obliged to stand an awful shower Of grape and
bullet before charge could reach them. The
battle had lasted some two hours with great fti-
ry on both sides, and many heroic deeds had
been done, but no serious impression made,
when Gen. TAYLOR sent for Capt. MAY, of the
I'd Dragons, and told him he must take that
battery with his Squadron Of Dragons, il he
lost every man. May instantly placed himself
at the head Of his men, and setting off at full
speed, with three cheers and shouts, dashed
INTO the defile, where he was greeted with an
overwhelming discharge OF grape and bullets,
which nearly annihilated his frs, and second
platoons, but he was seen unhurt darling like
lightning, through this murderous hail storm,
and in second, he and his men drove away
or cut TO pieces the artIllerists.
The speed Of his horses was so great, how
ever, that they passed through the battery and
were halted in its rear. There turning. he
charged back, and was just in time to rescue
Mexican General officer who would not leave
his guns, and who was parrying the strokes of
one of the men. He handed his sword to MAY,
announced himself as Gen. VEGA, and gave
his parole. MAY turned him over TO an officer,
and. galloping back TO Gen. TAYLOR, reported
that he had captured the enemy's battery, and
the gallant Gen. VEGA, brayely defending it,
whose sword he had the honor TO present his
Commanding officer The General was ex-
tremely gratfed, and felt no doubt that blow
had been given, from which it would be diff
cult for the enemy to recover-and so ii PROV
ed, for portion of the 9TH Infantry, finding
that the enemy had Immediately re occupied
and commenced serving their pieces, CALAMITY
charged and brought off several, when the 9Th,
which had just come up, marched to the attack
by its gallant commander, Col. BELKSAP, Sc
conded nobly by Capt. MONTGOMERY, and
took Off the remaining pieces. Col. BELKNAP,
leading his Regiment into the thiekest of the
fight, seized Mexican standard, and waving
il over his head, dashed on in front of his men,
until his horse stumbled over some dead bod
les and threw HIM. Being a heavy man, he
was helped on his horse by a soldier, who in
the act received ball through his lungs, and
at the same moment shot carried away the
Mexican flag, leaving but the handle with the
Colonel He dashed ahead with that, how
ever. and his Regiment carried every thing be-
fore it. AT this moment the Mexicans gave
way entirely, and throwing down their arms,
fled in every direction leaving all their stores,
munitions OF war, arms, standards. &C. The
killed. wounded and prisoners. including
among the killed those who We're drowned in
the Rio Grande, do not fall short of 5000
that the enemy's loss in two days amounts to
at least 1000 men, something more than the
number we had in our army
When Lieut.. MAGRuDER introduced Gen.
VEGA to Gen. TAYLOR, the latter expressed his
deep regret that such misfortune should have
happened to an officer whose character he SO
highly esteemed, and returned to him his
sword which he had won so brayely. 1t is
SAID also the General gave the captive officer
an order on his private banker for large SUN,
foi his use when he arrived in the United
States.
Immediately after the victory, regiment
marched into this fort, and was received with
cheers and open arms. All had done their
duty-those who Were left to defend our fort
those who marched to its relief | had near
ly forgot to mention that no officer in the bat
tie of the 9th was more distinguished than
Lieut. RANDOLPH RIDGELY His conduct
drew praises from the lips of every officer
But shall never finish if | record the feats Of
personal valor which occurred in this battle
where officers and men fought hand to hand
Tor hours with the Mexcans. shall therefore
conclude with the hope that in a few days we
shall be IN MatamoraS.