The Columbian fountain., 1846-05-25
Correspondence ofthe N. o. Bulletin

POINT ISABEL, May IL, 1916.
by the last departure wrote you briefly of
the operations OF the army up to that iime-of
the bombardment of the fort opposite Matamo-
ras, and the movement Of Gen TAYLOR with
the main body 10 this place, for the purpose of
strengthening It's delences. Having effected
this, ne marched without waiting for reinforce
ments, on the evening of the 7lh, and on the
9Th at O'Clock, found the enemy in position.
IN front OF chaprrel, which lies opposite to
the timber OF stream called Palo Alto.
The train was closed up, the troops filled
their canieens, and Gen. Taylor promptly
formed his line of battle as follows: on the
right was Ringgold's battery, 9Th and Sd infan-
try; then two eighteen Founders; then the aril-
lery battalion. The left was composed of the
4th and 9th infantry, and Duncan's battery.
a daring reconnoisanceSby Capt. J. e. Blake,
showed the enemy's line 10 be Of nearly twice
the strength OF ours, with heavy reserves in
the chaparIel. The Mexcans opened the ac-
uon with their artillery, the range of which
was hardly great enough TO reach our line,
which was moving slowly forward, and some
got into The thiekets of their shot and halted.
Their hire was returned from all our batteries,
ans | venture to say that no field Of battle ever
displayed such skill, or rapidly of fire and
evolution.
Ihe trst and only important movement at
tempted by the enemy, was a detachment of
their cavalry 10 make detour around clump
or chaparrel on our right, and attack the train.
Capt. Walker, of the Texas Rangers prompt
~ reported this, and the 9Th Infantry was de-
tached to meet it, which it did Handsomely,
receiving the ancers in square, and driving
mem by well delivered voIley. The cavalry
then pushed on again for the train. and found
the Sd Infantry advancing in columns of d.
visions upon them. They then retired, and
as they repassed the 5th, they received fire
from Lieut.. Ridgely's two pieces, which had
arrived at the nick of time Two field pieces
which were following the enemy's cavalry,
were also driven back with them.
Meanwhile the enemy's left was riddled by
the eighteen FOUNDERS, which slowly ad-
vanced up the road-Duncan's battery on the
lett neglecting the enemy's guns, threw their
hre into the Mexican infantry, and swept
whole ranks. The 9Th Infantry on the left
suffered severely from the enenly's fire. The
grass was set on fire at the end of an hours
cannonadlng, and obscured the enemy's posi-
uon completely, and an interval Of three
quarters OF an hour occurred During this
period our right, now resting on The eigh,een-
pounuels, advanced along the wood, 10 the
point originally occupied by the Mexican left,
and when the smoke had cleared away sufh-
ciently TO show the enemy. the fire was re-
snmed with increased rapidity and execution.
duncan divided mis- battery on the left, giving
section to Lieut.. Roland, to operate in front,
and with the other he advanced beyond the
burning pass (Which was three feet high, and
the flames rolled ten feet in the strong breeze,
and seized the prolongatiou of the enemy's
right, en6lading that flank completely. Night
found the two armies in this position.
On the 9th, the general packed the heavy
train, collected the enemy wounded in hospi- |
tai, buried their dead, arranged our own wound
ed, (among whom we have to regret the sud
den death Of Maj. Ringgold, and probably
Capt Page.) and moved on in pursuit of the |
enemy on the Matamorns road. They had
taken post in the chapparrel The second fine
occupying the bed Of a stream called Resca de-
Palma, with their artillery on the road a. ,he
crossing. have no time for details Of th;s -
fair. The General brought up his troons hv
battalions and posted them, with brief nrdsr.
10 find the enemy with the bayonet. and nlacsd
the artillery where they could act in the road II