The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-27
VOL 9. No. 40. Whole No. 465,


from the Ia Founders dispersed them. A
brisk fire of small arms was now opened up
on the square, by which one officer Leut.
? Luther,2d artillery was slightly woundedbut
II well directed volley from the front of the
square silenced all further firing from the en-
envy in this quarter. 1t was now nearly dark,
and the action was closed on the right of our
line, the enemy having been completely
driven back from his position, and foiled in
every attempt against our line.
While the above was going forward on our
right and under my own eye, the enemy had
made serious attempt against the left of our
line. Capt. Duncan instantly perceived the
movement, and by the bold and brilliant ma
npuvring his battery, completely repulsed
several successive efforts to advance in force
upon our left flank. Supported in succession
by the Sth infantry and by Capt. ker's squad
ron of dragons he CALAMITY held the enemy
ut bay, and finally drove him, with immense
loss from the field. Tie action here and n
long the whole line continued until near dark
when the enemy retired into the chaparral, in
rear ofhis position. Our army bivouacked on
the ground it occupied During the after
noon the train had been moved forward about
half mile, land was parked in rear ofthe new
position.
Our loss this day was nine killed, forty four
wounded, and two missing. Among the
wounded were Major Rnggold, who has
since died and Capt Page, dangerously
wounded, Lieut.. Luther slightly so. annex
a tabular statement the casualties of the
day.
Our own force engaged is shown by the
field report herewith TO have been III officers
and ,, IL men; aggregate 1928. The MeX-
can force, according to the statements Of their
own officers taken prisoners IN the affair OF
the 9TH was not less than 5000 regular troops
with ten pieces ofartllery and probably eX-
cecded that number--the irregular force not
known. Their loss was not less than 200
| killed and 200 wounded-probaby greater
This estimate is very moderate, aud formed
upon the number actually counted upon the
| field, and upon the reports of their own Off
GERS.
| As already reported i'll my first brief des-
patch the conduct Of our officers and men
was every thing that could be desired. EX-
posed for hours to the severest trial--a can
nonade of urtillery-our troops displayed a
GOODNESS and consistency which gave me
throughout the assurance of victory.
purposely defert the mention ofindividuals
until my report of the action ofthe 9th, when
| will endeavor to do justice to the many III
stances of distinguished conduct on both !
DAYS. In the mean time refer, for more mi |
mite details, to the reports ofiudWdual com
maudcrs.
| am, sir, very respectfully, your OBJ. servt.
T.. TAYLOR. !
/ Brcvct Brig. Con. UuvSS.A. commanding.
| The Adj. General OF the Army, Washington. /
| HEADQuARTERs ARMY OF OCcUPATIoN,
Camp near Fort Brown, Texas, May II. |
SIR:--H submitting more minute report
Of the affair of"Resaca de Ia Pulma," | have
the honor to state that early on the morning
Of the 9th inst, the enemy, who had cncamp-
ed near the field oibaule OF the day previous,
was discovered moving by his left flank, evil
IDENTITY in retreat, aud perhaps mt the same
time to gain new position on the road to
Maianoras, and there again resist our ad-
vance.
ordered the supply train to be strongly
parked at its position, and left with it four
pieces of artery--the two lSpounders,
which had done such good service on the pre-
vious day, and two l2-pounders, which had
not been in the action. The wounded Off
GERS and men were at the same time sent
hncll to Point Isabel. then moved forward
with the columns tn the edge OF the chuparral,
or forest, which extends to the Rio Grande, a
distance of seven miles. The light compa-
nies of the first brigade, under Captain {. 7.
Smith, second artillery, and a select dctaci-
mcnt of light troops, the whole under COM
mand Of Capt. Mccall, fourth infantry, were
thrown forward ililD INC ICCl
enemy, and ascertain his position. About 3
o'clock, Ireceived report from the advance
tina; the enemy was in position on the road,
with at least two pieces of artillery, The
command was Immediately putn motion,and
about 4 o'clock came up with Capt. Mccall
vino reported the enemy in force in our front,
occupying Il ravine which intersects the road,
and is skirted by thickets of chaparrat-
Ridgcly's battery, and the advance under
Captain Mccall, We're at once thrown for
ward on the road and into the charayTal on
either side, while the fifth infantry and one
wing of tue fourth was thrown into the forest /
on tie left, and the third and the other wing
of the fourth on the right fthe road. These
corps were employed as skirnishers to cover
the battery and engage the Mexican infantry.
Capt McCalIs command became at once en-
gagged with the enemy, while the light artllle-
nv, though in very exposed position, did
great execution. The enemy had at least
eight pieces ofartillery, and maintained an
incessant fire upon our advance.
The action now became general, and al r.
though the enemy's infantry gave way be-
fore the steady fire and resistless progress OF
our own, yet his artillery was still in position
TO check our Acknowledgement pieces occu-
pyng the pass across the raNine Whlch ne han
chosen for his position. Perceying that no
decisive advantage could be gained until this
artillery was siienced, ordered Captain May
10 charge the battery with his squadron OF
Dragons This was calamity aud ettectually +
eyecuted the enemy was driven from ms
runs. and Gen. La Vega, who remained alone
Mt one ofthe batteries, was taken prisoner ,
The squadron, which suffered much i'll this
charge, not being Immediately supported by ,
infantry, coad not retain possession OF the ar
tillery taken, but it was completely silenced,
al. =. e. ,N,.xrIA