The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-13

uTew from the the several round shot and shells,
nom II to hali-past ?, p. m, heavy bombardment
OF shells was kept up; at least fifty thrown at US
during that time Al half-pasi 3 they again opened
their shells upon us, accompanied by round shot
Al this time the enemy had established a mortar in
the mage OF chsPpara across the river, and lmme-
ulateiy west OF US. MOrtars were now playing upon
US nom the north, south, and west-four in num-
Der. The firing Of round shot was kept for TWO
hours, and that OF shells until half past seven,
p m About half-Past two, p. M, heavy
cannonadlng was heard, supposed to be little
north OF east of US. II apparently approached
untl halfPast four, when it became very distinct it
lasted until nearly 7, p. IN. This we supposed to
oe an action between our forces and the enemy. A
little before sunset, Mexican came running ia with
white dag, from the direction Of the second brig
abe guard house. claiming protecon he stated that
our FORCES had come IN contact with those of the
enemy, had driven them back; that he was pris-
oner IN charge Of the picket-guards, fired by
oatenesi that while they were burying the dead,
anu carrying oil the wounded, he effected his
cape. During the cannonade this afternoon, a small
column OF infantry from above, and one of cavalry
from below, were seen adyancng-supposed to be
reInforcements 10 the enemy. The excitement in
our command during this distant eannonadng was
intense During the day we received from one
hundred and fifty TO two hundred shells, and from
seventy hye 70 ono hundred round shot; and not
a man KILLED. During the previous night the hal
hards OF the flag on the outside had become unrgged
ana as the firing had become intense to reestab
llsh them, temporary staff erected on the in
slde, ana the national flag Of the seventh infantry
raised as substitute We passed very quiet
night, the troops on the alert at their guns
Saturday, 9h May.-An officer Of the seventh sue
ceeded in lowering the topmast Of the flagstaff and
rigging the halllards, hut found he could not raise
II again without great labor and exposure; he
therefore ashed II IN position and raised the nation
fla r 4
shot, canister and shells from the enemy's batteries
for fifteen or twenty minutes At ten O'Clock
sergeant and ten men fired the houses on the road
which had been successiyely occupied by our own
and the enemy's pickets. II brought heavy dis
charge Of shells, canister and round shot from the
enemy's batteries. Shells, with slight intervals,
continued ull hali-past 2, p. m, the mortar on
our west silent, and one firing from position
between US and the fort at the upper ferry;
II was much farther of, but fred accurately.
Two, p. m, Major Brown died, and in short time
we heard the re-engagement between the armies.
Quarter to six, quite a number Of Mexican cavalry
and few infantry were seen In the retreat At this
time we received a heavy Are Of round shot and
shells from the tune the battle commenced and con-
tinued to increase. An eighteen-pounder and six.
FOUNDER fred in the direction Of the upper fer
ry when, finding Il difficult to distinguish between
friend and foe, the firing was discontinued can
not close this report and pass in silence the gallant
and laborious efforts Of the officers and men Of this
command, to fulfil the high trust reposed in them by
the commanding general Under the most disad-
vantageous circumstances labor was performed by
the men with the greatest alacrity, and always in
good cheer. Our interchangeable engineer, Captain
Mansfield, is entitled to the highest praise. We
have only 10 lament the loss Of gallant and faith
full officer, who, proud Of the trust reposed in him,
would have gloried in the accomplishment of the
task which he so CALAMITY commenced.
have the honor to report as follows, list Of the
killed and wounded during the seven days. bonn
bardment Of Fort Taylor, Texas: