The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-22
Vol. 4.--No. IS.

battery now opened on us from the cIiap-
arral ridge Immediately west Of Fort
Brown, from which shells were thrown
with astonishing accuracy-five out Of
seven successive shells bursting in the
basuon commanded by Capt Lee, and in
: which johnson had his SIN x-pounder. At
y we heard the Palo Alto cannonading
, coming to US in sounds that could not be-
mistaken, and lasted until o'clock. Du-
ring this time the bUmbardment and en-
nonadlng was kept up on us continually.
and the excitement in cur command cam
not be described. A short time before
sunset column Of infantry was seen ad-
vanclng on the road to the Palo Alto, ha.
wing crossed at the upper ferry, and a
large body of cavalry, which had crossed
below, advanced in the same directi0n.-
These columns reinforced Gen. Arsta.
We now well knew that the attention of
the main body OF the army was diverted
from US; and several officers expressed 10
me desire to volunteer to storm the bat
teries, had it been deemed expedenl by
the captain commanding. The night was
passed quietly.
/ 9TH INsTANT.-This morning the bat.
teries opened on us agan-the mortar on
this side OF the river having been remo-
we'd To position between Fort Paredes
and the chaparral ridge west of US, which
fired accurately though much further eff.
{ 1hIs morning the captain commanding
determined to have the flag raised on the
staff on the outside Of The fort. and, the
halliards being unrigged, the topmast had
+ to be lowered to replace them. Lieut..
Hanson, with Quartermaster Sergeant
/ Henry, and priva:es Collins and Howard,
were sent out 20 perform this duty. It
could not be done without great labor and
exposure to the fire from the enemy's bat
teries, which was Immediately directed
upon them-nothwithstand Quarter
master Sergeant Henry and privates Col
Inns and Howard stood on the cross-trees
at least twenty minutes, during the time
exposed to a constant fire % canister,
grape, and round shot. They found it inn
possible TO raise the topmast, but fastened
II IN position, and raised the national fun
to the admiration of the whole command.
At the suggestion of Capt Mansfield lho
commanding conn officer ordered party de:
rear, which had been occupied by the ene-
nv. Sergeant Jones. of & company, 9Th
infantry was sent out with ten men to per-
form this service-priyate Ballard again
volunteer TO burn the houses. Capt.
Mansfield accompanied this party, and
each house was burnt successivel, under
the fire of the enemy's batteries. Lieut..
CANT, with party Of twenty men armed,
and with axes, was sent out to cut away
bushes and obstacles on the ground be-
tween the dragoon encampment and the
fort. This party drew and stood the fire
of the enemy until recalled by the COM
mauding officer, bringing in with them
old barrels for use in the fort. Shortly
after O'Clock p NJ we heard the re-
engagement OF the armies, which caused
the most pleasant excitement IN our COM
mand, as we could distinctly perceive the
advance of our artillery and musketry.-
Our operations, however, still went on
This afternoon Lieut.. McLaws was sent
out with party to cut away the chapar-
raj bushes, drawing the fire Of the enemy,
but working without any regard whatever
TO their imminent danger. The efforts
of the enemy at their batteries seemed
now to be redOubIed, and the bombard-
mcnt and canuonading were at this time
heavier than we had yet sustained, and
was kept up constantly until some time
after we had heard OF the total rout Of
the enemy at Resaca de Ia Palma. st
81 clock we saw the Mexican cavalry
and infantry in precipitate retreat to the
river, but entirely out of the range Of the
six-pound guns, Notwithstanding sorae
few shots were fired from a six and eigh-
teen-POunder. The latter had scarcely
fred once before we perceived the danger
of killing our own men, when the firing
ceased on both sides OF the river. Our
delight on hearing the resuI; OF the battle
of the 9th is ind sc bible. Having been
harrassed for seven successive days with
out rest, and performing constanl labor
during the time, without the excitement
Of meeting the enemy hand to hand. our
energies were nearly exhausted, and we
needed only rest and an opportunity 10
avenge ourselves. The conduct Of Off
GERS and men, sent out on detached par
ties. exposed to constant cannoaading from
the enemy, deserves the highest commen-
dl:ion FOR their glllantry; and the cool
and deliberate manner in which they IA
bored without the excitement Of a battle
cannot he too highly praised The dis
tinguished services Of Quarlermaster Ser
geant Henry. Corporal Manson, and pri-
vate Ballard deserve the highest praise.
Z.
"Jamie, why do YOU moi be afer get