The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-06-27

mand of Capt. Mccall, 4th infantry,
were thrown forward into the chappa-
raj to feel the enemy and ascertain his
position. About three O'Clock lrecei-
we'd report from the advance that the
enemy was in position on the road with
at least two pieces Of artillery. The
command was Immediately put in mo-
tion, and about O'Clock came up
with Capt. Mccall, who reported the
enemy in force in our front, occupying
ravine which intersects the road and
is skirted by thickets Of dense chappa-
raj. Ridgeley's battery and the ad-
vance under Capt. cCall were at once
thrown forward on the road, and into
the chapparal on either side, while the
9Th infantry and one wing of the 4th,
was thrown into the forest on the left,
and the Sd and the other wing of the
4th, on the righ! of the road. These
corps were employed as skirmishers to
cover the battery and engage the Mex.
ican infantry. Capt. McCall's COM
mand became at once engaged with the
enemy, while the light artillery, though
in very exposed position, did great
execution. The enemy had at least
eight pieces of artillery, and maintain
ed an incessaut fire upon our advance.
The action now became genera land
although the enemy's infantry gave
way before the steady fire and resist
less progress of our own, yet his artllle-
ry was still in position to check our ad-
vance-several pieces occupying the
pass across the ravine which he had
chosen for his position. Perceiving
that no decisive advantage could be
gained until this artillery was silenced,
i ordered Captain May to charge the
batteries with his squadron of drago ons.
This was gallanty and e1ectually ex-
ecuted, the enemy was driven from
his guns, and General La Vega, who
remained alone at one of the batteries,
was taken prisoner. The squadron,
which suffered much in this charge, not
being Immediately supported by intan-
try. could not retain possession of the
artillery taken, but it was completely
silenced. In the meantime the 9th in
fantry had been ordered up and had
become warmly engaged on the right
of the road. This regiment and part
of the 9th were now ordered to charge
the batteries; which was handsomely
done. and the enemy entirely driven
from his artillery and his position on the
left of the road.
The light companies Of the 1st bri-
gade and the Sd and 4th regiments of
infantry had been deployed on the
right of the road, where, at various
points, they became briskly engaged
with the enemy. A small party un-
der Captain Buchanan and Lieutenants
Wood and Hays, 1th infantry, compo-
sed chiefly Of men Of that regiment,
drove the enemy from breast-work
which he occupied, and captured a
piece of artillery. An attempt to re-
cover this piece was repelIed by Cap
tam Barbour, Sd infantry. The enemy
was at last COMP etely driven from his
position on the right of the road, and
retreated precipitately, leaving baggage
Of every description. The 4th rnfan-
try took possession of a camp where
the headquarters of the Mexican gen.
eral-in.chief were established. All his
official correspondence was captured
at this place.
The artillery battalion excepting the
flank companies) had been ordered TO
guard the baggage tram, which was
packed some distance in the rear. That
battalion was now ordered up to pursue
the enemy, and with the Sd infantry,
Captain Ker's Dragons, and Captain
Duncan's battery. followed him rapidly
to the river, making number of pris-
oners. Great numbers Of the enemy
were drowned in attempting to cross
the river near the town. The corps
last mentioned encamped near the river
the remainder Of the army on the
field of battle.
The strength Of our marching force
on this day, was l73 officers, and
2,o49 men--aggregate 2,222. The ac-
tual number engaged with the enemy
did not exceed l,700. Our loss was
three officers killed and twelve woun.
ded; thlrty-six men killed. and seventy.
one wounded. Among the officers Kill
led, have to regret the loss of Lieute-
nant Inge, Cd dragons, who fell at the
head Of his platoon, while CALAMITY
charging the enemy's battery; of Lieu
tenant Cochrane, of the 4th, and Lieu
tenant Chadbourne, of the 8thinfantry,
who likewise met their death in the
thickest of the fight. The officers
wounded were Lieutenant Colonel
Payne, Inspector General; Lieutenant
Dobbins, Sd infantry, serving with the
light infantry advance, slightly; Lieu.
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