Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-15
NUMBER 113.
Fron tss New o'l-sn- D~rs. June s
Despatch ut General Arista.

Prom The Bo!ein' de- Ia Dirision del .N6rfs publSi
~ NiaainoroS on the 10Th ot Nav we translate th,
following official ducumen, relative To the battle ot
Pao Alto. on the Slh ult:
NoETnERN DIVISION
General ln-chiei: Constant IN my purpose of pre-
venting Gen. Taylor from ehecing junction between
us forces he was taking from Santa Isabel and those
which he left at the Qualifications opposite Matamoros
st OFF today from the TdLtues del ReHnireto from
winch place | addressed To your excelency my last
despatch, and marched towards Palo Alto as soon as
my spies informed me that the enemy had left Santa
isabel, determined introduce into their forifca,ons
number OF wagons loaded with provisions and ar
uiley.
! arrived opposite Palo Alto about one O'Clock. p
NJ, and saw that the enemy was IN place. Wuh
All IN" forces, had proceeded To form my line of hat
tie ON large plain-a woody elevation supporting
my right Hank, with quagmire on the left difficult
OF penetration. Scarcely had fired our first gun
Whsn me second commander-ln chief. General Don
PEDRO Ampudia, arrived, had warned him to ION
me As soon as he had well reinforced the several
points which Were necessary beSiege the enemy's
troops that We're left IN the Notifications opposite Mat
amoras.
The forces under my command were 1000 and IL
pieces ariIlery those of the invaders 5000 men,
OF irie less, and superior force Of artillery as they
Numbered ~ pieces Of 10 and 5 FOUNDERS
Inc battle commenced with such ardor that the 6r-
ing on cannon did not cease for a moment, during
which the enemy endeavored 10 follow their course to-
warus Maamoros, IN order TO suspend the seige Of
ther troops at the Publication and with such object
uley SCI hIe TO shrubbery and grass To form OPP
Posl'e their line n thick smoke, by which they sue
eeeded m hiding themselves from our view but l.
'hrouSn necessary operation, defeated their object on
two different occasions
General Taylor maintained his attack more as a de-
phSlVe ulan an offensive one, using chiefly the hest
part OF ms forces the artillery protected by one half of
aus infantry and all his cavalry; preserving the TO
ior'liy the turf at distance Of about two thousand
yards from the battle field
was anxious to make cha roe on the enemy hs
cause the cannon-bal caused great loss ON our files
and ordered General Don Anasiasio Torreion to exc
cute with the greater part Of the cavalry on our lett
Hank, IN order TO give the charge at the same time.
with the infantry aud the OF the cavalry on the.
right flank.
was waiting the moment IN which General Tore
Jon should commence the charge and that the enemy
should b'n to feel ITS effect, order give the inn
pulse TO the right; but the effort was checked by coun
reinforcement Of portion OF the enemy's force that
defended marsh, which prevented the attack
some oil our companies Were impatient, account
oil the loss We had suffered, and they commenced TO
get out oil order, asking that should give the COM
mand 10 advance at once. or retreat At such mo-
hent, ordered a column Of cavalry under command
OF Col Don Cayetano Montero to charge. with the
view that the parties thrown of order should re-
sumo their position and in all possible manner narrh
on the enemy, who. owing to the great distance NJ
which they Stood had time fall back on the reserve
ana night approaching fast, the battle ended and we
remained masters OF the field.
Alter tins result, every measure necessary to the
on more concentrated ground in the same battle field
The combat was a long and bloody one which
may be better explained by the calculation of the com
manderln-chlei Of artillery. Gen. Don Tomas Reaue-
ma, who assures me that the enemy fired over 5000
cannon shot from 10 Z O'Clock p. NJ, Cat which hour
the battle terminaied and artillery only fred about
$50 shot
Our arms Were supported with honor TO the nation,
as we did not yield an inch Of ground. Notwthstand-
ing the superiority Of the enemys artillery they sui
tered great loss.
Our troops had the misfortune of losing 252 men IN
tins battle, among dead, wounded and dispersed
Those that lost their lives in defence Of the most lust
and holy OF causes, worthy Of national remem-
brance OF gratitude for their bravery and valor
Your excelehcy will oblge me BY giving notice
with the foregoing account, TO his eXcellency The Pre-
sidcnt. stating that will take care to give full and
detailed despatch of this battle and at the same time
recommend the valiant conduct of all the generals
chiefs, officers, and men, that are under INV charge
Tor they sustained the bloody combat IN manner
which honors our nation, and shows the discipline
and hne order OF our troops.
Please admit the assurances of my consideration.
etc.
God aud Liberty General Quarters at Palo Alto.
opposite the enemy's camp, Nav Sth. ls46. at Ii
O'Clock, T. VI. (Signed)
MARIANA ARISTA.
To hls excellency the Minister of War and Marine.