The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-14


The enemy 1t the distance Of about half mia, epsn.
ID their batteries their right, which being imnsd
,sly responded 70 S our two s Rounds,s ia charge Of
Major Rnggod's battery ordered to the right and
front Of the ls FOUNDERS at distance Of about
hundred yards from the enemy when the battery was
opened with great effect shown the day by
the number Of the enemys dead found along his line.
The infantry the mean time was formed in the rear
ofhe artillery receiving with the greatest possible cool
ness the enemys fire. and only anxious for the order to
rush in and participate actively in the aaiir.
regiment of tho eaemy's lancers conserved to
wagon train q few hundred yards in rear The 5th in.
der the command Of Lieut. X Ridgeiy were ordered to
check this movement Having gained groNnd to the
right some four or ive hundred yards tue 5h form
ell in square TO receive charge from tie ancers who
advanced to within fifty yards, when the opposing side
of the square fired into and repulsed them, having
received in the meantime several irregular discharges
from the enemy. The lanccrs reformed and continued
their movement to get in rear OF our right flank when
,ns ra % move % ns right and rear AROUND
ton Seeing their movement frustrated in this point,
the anccrs commenced retreat in good order march.
ing apparently by squadrons, when First Lieutenant X.
Rdgey Of Major Ring COLDS battery assisted by Brevet
I'd Lieut. French opened fire on them, and scattered
them in all directions In this affair the enemy lost some
twenty eight or thirty
This portion Of the right wing served in about this po
Hn s s ,s 1 se N s % %
battery continued to play on the enemy with great sue
The gallant Major was mortality wounded by a
ball towards the close Of the action and his horse
shot uni him at the same time. The army and the
country will long deplore the loss Of brave and ac-
Tie % squadron Of dragons commanded by Captain
Nav. who during the day was under the immediate
doris Of the general commanding being ordered to turn
il possible the left flank of the enemy the 4h infantry
was ordered TO support him. Having advanced in our
right and front four hundred ards under very
found that tho force he had to oppose eight nine
hundred cavalry no retired :greeshy to his orders,
operation Captain Mays squadron had five men wounded
and SIX horses killed aud the infsntry killed
one officer Capt Page morally and one man severely
wounded. Night coming on the right wing took posi-.
ton in front Of the wagon train and slept their
the ground first occupied by the enemy The perfect
which ne fred his pieces whilst acting in concert with
the st deserves notice the last and most effective shot
he having aimed himself
discovered in the edge of the chaparral advance
the 9TH infantry on the right with the % squadron of
by Lent Rigeey, on the left Of the OH, and the Sd
brigade on its lett On advancing the enemy having
eight hundred yards Of esaca de la Palma the
my Lad taken position for fight The advance guard
wing kept up fire till arrival Lieut. Rdgely
dered front OF the 9th with his battery, and having
advanced cautiously to within about four hundred
Of their battery in the road the enemy opened him
with grope Lieut. Ridgal, pushed forward rapidly
about hundred yards further and returned their
with great spirit and success advancing them
firing canister at each other when not more
than one hundred yards apart. Having advanced in
this manner about five hundred yards, Captain May
ing forward in column Of fours tho main road admit
ting OF other formaton the squadron charged
the gunners from them-Capt May, with Lieus Inge,
Stevens and Sackett and the LIST and I'd paoons of the
squadrons. charging the guns in the road and on the
right oft Capt Graham, accompanied by Lieut.. VIM
ship aud Peasonton, with the 81 and 4h patoons lead
ing the charge against the pieces the left of the road
in the ra7ine. capt. May having charged through the
pieces in the road rallied some six men and charged
again at of the gunners who had reganed their
pieces drove them off, and took Cen Vega prisoner In
the charge Lieut. fell nj haad nf nj
whilst leading on calamity, having passed through
their batteries Corporal McCauey taken prisoner;
nine privaes and eighteen horses killed Sergeant
McMuly, nine privaes, and ten horses wounded. The
4th infantry. (under the command Of Brevet MAJOR AL.
len; the 5th commanded by Lieut.. Col Mcintosh; and
the Sd, commanded by Captain s. ". Morris, retained
possession OF the enemys artillery repulsng at different
them and finally brought of the pieces making several
prisoners ofwar After the unsurpassed If unequal
led charge Of Captain Mays squadron, the enemy
unable to fire piece In this affair in which Lie ut
lnge, I'd dragons and Lieut. CocArane 4th infantry
killed. Lieut. Col Mcintosh Capt Hoe, anu Lieut..
Dobbins wounded, would respectfully call tho
attention of the commanding general the gallant con-
duct of Col Mcintosh 5th, aud Col Garland infant
ry Commanding the I'D brgade,) Lieuts Ridgely sho
yer, and French 81 artllery Captains May and Graham,
Leuts. Winshp, Stevens, Pleasonton, and Sacket ID
Dragons. and Captain Buchanan, Licuts. Hays and
Woods, 4h infantry &c,he Latter two having captured
piece Of artillery defended by one hundred and fifty
or two hundred, with but few men,
The enemy having been routed with great loss this
days action closed with much honor 10 the American
my spreading terror among the Mexican people In this
action every officer and man performed his duty most
CALAMITY.
Captain Arnold and Lieutenant Mcdonald, I'd dra-
goons ades the 9Th and sh instant performed the
several duties assigned them with pIompines GOODNESS
and courage. They accompanied me during the whole
of the affair." except when detached carrying orders
The detailed of the com mander of ach
and corps is herewith transmitted
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant
ID. TwlGGS Col I'd dragons,
Commanding hight wing A. d.
Capt w. w. S. Bliss.
Assistant Adjutant Gen. Army of Occupation,
Camp Siatamoras.