Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-18
Camp opposite Matamoras, }
Nav Id. 1876.

May Ia, 1876
DEAR PAS you will perceive, again date
from our old stamping ground. My last letters COM
municated TO you the commandment of Fort Brown
this will communicate to YOU the events of the glo
rlons days OF the Sth and 9th OF May-the victories
OF Palo Alto and lie Resaca dc Ia Palma
Gen. Taylor, with his army, left Point Isabel on
the afternoon OF the 9TH, and marched five miles and
encamped. Our scouts during the night reported
The camp OF the enemy deserted From this it was
generally believed they would decline battle We
had in convoy an immense train, rich not only i'm
subsistence, but munitions of war. In the WAGONS
there were six l2pounders. The General had also
with him two Is ponnders, the command of which
was assigned TO Lieut.. Churchill, of the Artillery.
upon our arrival ON the Sth, to within short
distance of our last camp previous to our arrival at
Matamoras, known as Gen. Worth's camp, the adj
vance reported the enemy in force Debouchino
from point OF mosquito, the masses of the enemy
were apparent about mile distant and occupying
a front nearly a mile and half The General or
dered his command to be formed into column of at
tack. and then permitted the men-half at a time
10 go and get water and fill their cantees; the com
mand was then formed, and marched steadily to
meet the enemy, with as much regularity and cool
ness as If on drill. Two squadrons of Dragons
were at first IN advance, but after the battle COM
menced were employed either gallantly supporting
the batteries OF artillery defending the trains
when within IOO yards, the enemy opened their
fire upon us from of their batteries The column
was halted and deployed into line with the utmost
precision, except the Sth Infantry, which remained
formed in ''column of attack"
The following was the order of our line of bat
tie: The right wing, commanded by Col Twigrs
was composed of the 9th Infantry on the right
Binggold's Artillery, Sd Infantry and 4th infantry
Lieutenant Churchill's two Is Founders in the
centre Left wing, commanded by Brevet 1t Col
Belhnap, composed of Duncan's Artillery (the Ar
ullery Companies serving as Infantry and the 9Th
Infantry. Ringgold and Duncan's batteries were
immediately advanced and opened their fire. The
IRE OF the enemy was not very accurate, although
they sent their balls flying and among us in
every direction. The enemys line of battle was
along and in advance of the edge of a chapparal.
The Cavalry Uancers) were ON their left--then
then masses OF lniantry-then a battery properly
supported. Their position had been deliberately
assumed, knowing that we Were to pass the road
The fire of the gallant RinggoId's battery on
our right told with deadly effect upon their mass
OF Cavalry. Platoons appeared to be moved down
at time. The two Is Founders in the centre car
rcd death and destruction to the enemy. The
Cavalry soon found that it getting too warm for
them, and commenced moving off, by flank move
ment to the left, AT trot, and were tckled into
gallop by discharge from the lSs. Their flank
movement threatened train, and was met by a
mnve".e"e of oootion of Rlnggold's Artillery, the
9th Infantry, and Sd Infantry.-The strength OF
this body OF cavalry was computed at 1000, and
therefore was n formidable demonstration. The
oth received then In square, and from the fire of
an angle vacated 20 saddles. Some of them still
passed on, until they the Sd advancing in col
umn by division, when they retreated rapidly
Lieut. ltidgeiey aimed and fired shell which struck
lancer about the middle, which exploded stimuli
taneously with the blow, making one mangled mass
of horse and rider.
Thus the battle progressed on our right On the
left the gallant Duncan was pouring in most de-
structlve fire. Each shot appeared to take effect
and as our men saw the execution their cries of tr
umph mingled with the lannon's roar. The fire of
the enemy upon our left more gallng-the Sth
Infantry particularly suflered.-The Regiments of
Artillery and Infantry and Squadrons of Dragons
stood 1m as veterans, ready TO support batteries
Lieut.. Duncan had thrown out some smoke balls
and set the prairie fire between us and the enc
my. The first cannonading commenced at p NJ
and ceased at Z. NJ. From that hour there was
a short cessation.
In the meantime mastery movement to the
! right, to flank the enemy, being executed
Rlnggold'S battery and the Is Founders we've push
ed forward to the right and left flank of the enemy
! The 4th Infantry and the lst Brigade moved up to
their support. As soon the firing recommended
the enemy We're forced to change their line of battle
Lieut. Duncan, under cover of the smoke, conceived
and executed brilliant flank movement on the enc
my's right. He advanced with his battery and
suddenly debouchcd and poured in CALLING fire up
on their right flank it was thrown into the utmost
confusion.-lis shells and shrapnel shot told with
murderous effect. AT this moment if a charge
had been made, the whole field would have been
swept, but the General felt bound to protect his
train, feared any movement that would have laid it
open to an attack.-tNe had driven the enemy from
his position and forced him to retire We encanped
as vctors upon the field of battle. Our loss was
not very severe. The following is the return of
cur killed and wounded:
Killed JVoundcd. Missing.
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