The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1846-11-07

and ran to the second and third forts. The f.
ring from the second fort (about 100 yards in
rear Of the frst) opened upon US, but the whole
column rushed on to the charge Of it, and in a
few minutes it surrendered. AS Col. Nc
Chung halted within the walls Of the Sd fort to
receive the sword of an officer who surrender
ed, he was wounded severely by a ball passing
through his left hand and entering his body just
at the left hip bone, 1t was supposed at first
that the wound was mortal, but the strongest
hopes of his recovery are now entertained. The
column did not halt after the taking of the I'd
fort, but a large portion, with Col. Davis at
their head, moved on rapidly to the charge Of
the third fort (aboutt three hundred yards in the
rear of the second) under a heavy fire, and just
as they were in the act Of charging it, a eom-
mand of shalt and %retire,' was given in higher
authority. The Tennessee and Mississippi
regiments then gathered near the captured forts
and commenced a regular diminishing fight
with the enemy. The pitch battle for the day
was over, but each man secured the best posi-
ton he could get to fight con his own hook. "
This was kept up until evening when a portion
OF the regular army came to occupy for the
night the forts we had taken in the morning.
Our lines were again formed and we were or
dered back to the camp for the night. AS we
retired through the open field the artillery from
every battery in the cityopened upon US with
terrible effect, but we returned satisfied with
the victory of the day. The action of this day
has been much talked of. 1t is rare thing for
a regiment to be drawn up into line to fight
They are generally deployed as skirmishers;
but to charge a strong fort, with rifles without
bayonets is unprecedented, and the novelty,
galantry and brilliant success of the charge has
given our regiment an enviable reputation in
the army, where it is said that the action of the
2lst was one Of the most brilliant triumphs of
American arms.
On the 23d the army on the northern side of
the city had no regular engagement, but Gen.
Worth on the Southern side secured the pos
session ofthe Saltillo road, met a large force O.
the enemy, routed them in the field, and storm
ed one of their outer forts, and was rapidly ad-
vancing uPont the Bishops Palace, which stands
upon a high eminence south of the city and
strongly fortified and manned. He succeeded
by management to draw the forces from the
Palace to attack him. He then charged, routed
them, stormed and took possession of the Bish-
ops Palace.
This Xync n nraat oobioyo,z4 t. $780,.
only A brilliant action, butt it secured a position
which overlooked the whole city and gave them
the command of the Cathedral and Plaza, with
the artillery. We had returned from the camp
to the fort on the morning of the 23d and with
the aid of a glass could see the movements of
Gen. Worth From the moment Of the COM
mencement of his attack on the Palace to the
time when he raised the American Flag upon
1t, and the defeat of the Mexican infantry and
%Iancers became certain, the most intense ankle
ty was manifested by the General Officers Ct
the army. On the morning of the 23d we could
see from the fort We occupied that the Next
leans had deserted the work l have designated
as the third fort, and Col. Davis Immediately
formed two companies and took possession of
1t. In a short time our whole regiment was
ordered out and marched to an attack ON the
city. Col. Davis had proceeded with two COM
panios the rest of the Regiment, but he had not
proceeded far before a heavy fire of musketry
and cannon opened upon him, but he protected
his men by the walls of the houses. After the
Regiment had concentrated in the CITY thew
were dispersed in various directions under
Gen. Quitman, Col. Davis and Maj. Bradford
For some time the positions were occupied and
maintained by our Regiment alone; then came
TO our support a few of the Tennesseeans and
a large portion Of Col. Woods Regiment Of
Texas Rangers. They joined in with us and
the crack of rifles might be heard from every
wall and street, as the Mexicans would show
themselves in the streets, on the tops of the
houses, or through the doors and windows
After the fighting had continued in this man.
ner for some two hours, Gen. TAYLOR sent to
our support one small regiment of infantry and
two ofCaptain Bragg'spieccs of artillery. The
ritiemen were then called upon to sustain the
artillery as they marched through the streets
firing. One of the pieces moved towards the
cathedral; and the other under command of
Lieut.. Thomas, moved up the principal street
some four or five squares, firing whenever a
party of Mexicans would show themselves.
The fighting of this day was desperate, but it
was peculiar. The main body of the Mexican
forces, amounting to ONE six or seven thous-
and men were concentrated in the Plaza. and
every street leading to it was strongly barica-
ded and fortified. The balance of the force
was placed upon the tops Of the houses protec-
ted by b~attlements, and in the streets behind
tortlhcations made of bags of sand. From
these secure positions they fred upon us with
their heavy and small arms during the whole
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