American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-27
HE MEXICAN WAR.

7ICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE TWO
EaEAT BATTLES WITH THE MEX
ANS.
S ne Washington Union contains the official
atches from Gen. Taylor, giving accounts
lie two battles with the Mexican forces, in
3h the American arms so gloriously tri-
phed
he first despatch is dated Point Isabel, May
which Gen. Taylor announces his inten-
to march that day, with the main body of
army, to open communication with Maj.
Fn, and throw forward supplies of ord
ee and provisions-and his determination to
battle to any force that might oppose his
fh. The despatch also notices the arrival
ne recruits under 1t. McPhail, on the 9Th,
the disposition made of them.
he second despatch is dated "Camp at Palo
)" May 9, and gives an account of the first
hgement. 1t is as follows:
tR: have the honor to report that | was
near this place yesterday, on my march
10 Point Isabel, by the Mexican forces, and
Pr an action of about FIVE hours dislodged
ia from their position, and encamped upon
field. Our artillery, consisting of two 49,
nders and two light batteries, was the arm
pf1y engaged, and to the excellent manner
which it was manGuvred and served is our
cess mainly due.
he strength of the enemy is believed to have
N about six thousand men, with seven pieces
sartillery, and eight hundred cavalry. His
is probable at least one hundred killed
liz strength did not exceed all told twenty
zee hundred, while our loss was comparative
erihing-four men killed, three officers and
Fty-seVen men wounded, several of the latter
rtally. Iregret to say that Major Ringgold,
artillery, and Capt. Page, 4th infantry, are
erelY wounded. Lieut.. Luther, I'd artillery
chilly so.
The enemy has fallen back, and it is believ-
has repassed the river have advanced
ties now thrown forward in his direction,
shall move the main body Immediately.
I'm the haste of this report, | can only say
BIT the officers and men behaved in the most
lmirable manner throughout the action.
al have the pleasure of making more detail
report when those of the different comman-
rs shall be received.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Y. TAYLOR,
Breyet Brig. General U. S. A., commanding.
The ADJUTANr GENERAL, U. S. Army,
Washington, ID. c.
The third despatch, giving an account of the
cond battle, is dated Scamp at Resaca de la
alma, 8 miles from Matamoras, 10 o'clock,
NJ, May g." and is as follows:
Sir: | have the honor to report that ]
arched with the main body of the army at
fclock to-day, having previously thrown for
lard body of light infantry into the forest,
fhich covers the Matamoras road. When
par the spot where l am now encamped, my
Hvance discovered that ravine crossing the
bad had been occupied by the enemy with ar
|llery. Immediately ordered battery OF
|eld artillery to sweep the position, thanking
md sustaining it by the Sd, 4th and 5th regi-
hents, deployed as skirmshers to the right and
bft. A heavy fire of artillery and of muske-
~ was kept up for some time, until finally the
|nemy's batteries were carried in succession
" squadron of Dragons and the regiments
IF infantry that were on the ground. He was
loon driven from his position, and pursued by
squadron Of dragons, battalion Of artillery,
ID infantry, and light battery, to the river.
Dur victory has been complete. Eight pieces
pf artillery, with great quantity of amuni-
ion, three standards, and some one hundred
prisoners have been taken; among the latter
General La Vega, and several other officers
One general is understood to have been killed
The enemy has recrossed the river, and am
sure will not again modest us on this bank.
The loss of the enemy in killed has been
most severe. Our own has been very heavy,
and ] deeply regret to report that Lieut.. Inge
I'd Dragons, Lieut.. Cochrane, 4th infantry
and Lieut.. Chadbourne, 9Th infantry, were
killed on the field. Lieut. COL Payne, 4tl
artillery, Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, Lieut.. Dob.
bins, Srd infantry, Capt. Hooe, and Lieut.
Fowler, 9Th infantry, and Capt. Montgomery
Lieuts. Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, anc
Jordan, sth infantry, were wounded. The ex
tent of our loss i'll killed and wounded is moi
yet ascertained, and is reserved for more de-
tailed report.
The affair of to-day may be regarded as
proper supplement of the cannonade of yester
day; and the two taken together, exhibit tn,
GOODNESS and gallantry of our officers and mel
In the most favorable light. All have don
their duty, and done it nobly. 1t will he m
pride, in more circumstantial report of bot
actions, to dwell upon particular Instances of in
dividual distinction.
1t affords me peculiar pleasure to report tina
the field work opposite Matamoras has sustain
ed itself handsomely during cannonade an