Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-07-30

| my. Ho was Stoppeu ny Nlugely, WnG
told him that the enemy had just loaded
all their pieces, and if he charged then.
he would be swept away. Stop says
Rdgely, until draw their fires when
he deliberately fred each gun; so terrible
was the effect Of the grape, that the Mex
leans poured their fire upon his piece,
and then May charged like bullet, drove
off their cannoniers, took La Veja priso-
ner, and re,rea,ed. Here 1t. Inge, no
BILE, gallant soldier, charged a. tine head
of squadron. was killed and stripped.
Lit. Sackett, than whom there is no better
officer, had his horse shot under him. and
was pitched head foremost into the pond,
rose again, covered with mud and water.
and escaped. The squadron suffered
very much. am sure Charley May
feels grateful TO Ridgely for his cool judg.
men. and timely advice. Had he charged
on the battery, loaded with grape as il
was, do no, believe he would have say.
| ed man.
The Mexicans returned TO their guns,
and Immediately the 9Th infantry took the
matter in hand, and resolved to try the
bayonet again. On they went, and piece
| by piece fell before their determined brav-
cry, until their entire battery was taken.
The infantry and cannoners fought hand
to hand between the wheels. Ridgely
and Duncan then pushed their batteries
across The ravine, and both opened on the
retreating enemy. The 5th. 9th, and Sd
and 4th were all across, having each
driven every thing before them. The
rou. commenced, the whip was applied,
and the battle was won again. The 9Th
charged or the enemy's camp, where The
savory odor Of the dinner in the act of
preparing for grand jubilee by the Mex
leans had probably lured them, knowing
that the Mexican would fight harder for
his dinner. Here the struggle was short;
they captured every thing, even to Aris-
ta's private baggage and portfolio, their
entire camp equipage, and three hundred
fine mules.
On pushed Ridgely, Duncan, and ker,
like lighting upon the retreating enemy.
The Mexicans threw down their arms and
accoulrements, even their caps; for the
cry was; "Sauue gui peut" After pur-
suing them for a mile through the chap.
arral, the artillery and dragons encoun-
tered body of lancers. about 500 strong
drawn up in line across their path. with
lances in rest ready for charge. Ridgely
and Duncan Immediately halted and came
into battery action front, but the sight Of
the dread artillery was too much for the
Mexican nerve. They took to their
heels, and ran for it like good fellows.
never drawing rein until they brought up
at the upper crossing. The pursuing
party dashed on. taking the main road 10
Fort Brown; but the enemy retrea,ed by
a road to the right and escaped. push
ed on with 1t. Scarret and Bt. Captain
Arnold 10 carry the news TO Fort Brown.
But on emerging from the chaparral, we
met with a most unwelcome reception;
for our friends at the fort, mistaking US
for rancheros, showered on US a voley
of grape, which was taken up by the
enemy with round at the fort from their
Is Founders; and SO well directed did
their fire happen TO be. that an 1s-lb'
struck a stump within l8 inches of Capt
Arnold's horse, Lieut.. Scarret and myself
pushed on, and were welcomed by q
hearty cheer. No sooner was the news
heard. than three cheers were given by
the garrison. The man IN the Whitt
Hat, who had proved himself hero dur
ing the bombardment, was mounted upon
a traverse, and first quoting the troubled
sea by magic wave of that same old hat
gave the signal, and loud and long were
The peals shouted forth by the gallan, ant
devoted seventh.
| returned shortly 10 the camp ant
found that our troops were resting imme
diately on the battle ground. Alas, wha
a sad picture presented itself; arount
were lying heaps of dead, dying and dis
abled men-lhe sigh, the groan, thu
shrek Of agony filled the air, whilst TIT
eye could not rest upon spot but it me
with head, leg, an arm. a body Gu
off by the waist, or the more fortunate
dead, who had received their death woun'
from the sure riAe or musket.
Now, my dear sir. how can describe
to you the personal acts Of bravery no
only in one instance but in twenty-an,
} not simply by the officer but by the com
mon soldier. The whole battle wa!
fought by individual squads. led some
times by an officer and frequently by tn
non-commissioned officer. | could no
} say too much for every man engaged
So eager were our men for the fight tina
canno, better describe their enthusiasm
than 10 give you the idea that struck me
J it was this: Every man, officer and sol
} der, seemed impressed with the idea tina
, there was bu. given quantity of fighiin
to be had-not enough for every man {,
have his Gil Of it-and, therefore, it be
] came every one to get what he could a
soon as possible.
, Instances there were where one ma
: in charging upon their batteries leape
! astride their pieces and holding on wit
, one hand beat off the gunners with the
swords, and were there cut down.
An instance occurred when in charg
: upon a piece 1t. Jordon was attacked
. two Mexicans and bayone.ted in tw
nl,cea when IT. Lincoln of the All