American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-15
CAPTAIN MAYS REPORT.
OK THE BATTLE GROUND, May 10, SAG.

| Sin: Having been detached from the head
quarters Of my regiment with my squadron and
acting under the immediate orders of the COM
handing general during the actions o! the Sth
| and 9th instant, it becomes my duty to report
the services which the squadron l had the hon
or to command rendered during those actions,
You are aware that my first orders on the 6th,
were to strenthen the left flank of the army,
and sustain Lieut.. Duncan's battery; in TINS
position had four horses killed, and two woun-
ded.
About half an hour before sunset, received
orders to proceed to the enemy's left flank, and
drive in his cavalry; in execution of these or
ders, and while passing the general and his
staff, the enemy concentrated the fire from
their batteries upon us, killing SIX of my horses
and wounding five men. | succeeded IN gaining
a position on the enemy's left, with view OF
charging his cavalry, but found him in such
force as to render Intellectual a charge from my
small command, and therefore returned in ODE
dience to my instructions to my first position,
where remained until the close of the action,
which terminated very shortly afterwards
This ended the service of my squadron on the
Sth inst.
On morning of the 9Th, my squadron was
actively employed in accommodating the chap
paral in advance of the field of the Sth, and on
the advance of the army. took my position
rs the advance guard. When about halfa mile
from the position which the enemy were re-
ported TO have taken, was ordered to halt,
and allow the artillery and infantry to pass,
and await further orders. | remained in this
position about three-guarters of an hour, when
received orders toreport with my squadron TO
the general. did so and was ordered by the
general to charge the enemy's batteries, and
drix Groy,1 fhair Ht,bi oh
ly executed, with the loss of Lieut.. Inge, seven
prvates, and eighteen horses killed; and Ser
geant Muley, nine privates, and ten horse
wounded Lieut.. Sackett, and Sergeant StoS
ry, in the front, by my side had their horses
killed under them; and 1t. lnge was CALAMITY
leading his platoon when he fell. We charg
ed entirely through the enemys batteries OF
seven pieces-Capt. Graham, accompanied by
Lieuts. Winship and Pleasonton, leading the
charge against the pieces on the left Of the road
and gained tile rising ground on the opposite
side of the ravine. The charge was made un-
der heavy fire of the enemy's batteries, which
accounts for my great loss. After gaining the
rising ground in the rear, could rally but six
| men; with these, ! charged their gunners, who
had reganed their pieces, drove them off and
took prisoner Gen. Vega, whom | found gal
lantly fighting in person at his battery. / OF
ucI cd lHl W SuELSHNStJ 1llu vi Recognising I'Ie
as all officer he handed me his sword. brought
him, under heavy fire of their infantry, to
our lines, accompanied by 1t. Stevens and
sergeant of my squadron. then directed 1t.
Stevens to conduct him in safety 70 our rear,
and presented his sword to the commanding
general.
From this time, until the enemy were rout-
ed, was engaged in collecting my men, who
had became scattered in our lines, and succeed
cd in assembling half Of my squadron, joined
the army npuysuit Of the enemy until he cross
ed the Rio Grande, from which | returned to
camp.
l cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise
Of the steadiness and gallantry of the officers
and men of my command. They all behaved
with that spirit of courage and noble daring
which distinguished the whole army in this
memorable action, and achieved the most bril-
liant victory of the age. have the honor 10
be, very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
G. A. MAY,
Capt. % dragons, com'dg I'd squadron.
Lit. MCDONALD, Adj't I'd dragons.