The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-14


ter gaining the rising ground in the rear could rally
but six men with these. charged their gunners, who
oner General Vega, whom found CALAMITY fighting in
person at his battery. ordered him surrender and
recognizing me as an officer, he handed me his sword
o. ought him. under heavy fire Of their infantry to our
lines accompanied by Lieutenant and sergeant
Of my squadron then directed Lieutenant stevens to
conduct him in safety to rear and presented his
sword to tho commanding general
Fiom tn time until the enemy were routed was
gagged in collecting my men, who had become scattered
in lines. and succeeded in assembling half of my
squadron, Joined the army in suit of the enemy until
he crossed the Rio Grande, from which returned to
camp.
cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise of the stea
dness and gaantry Of the officers and men Of my COM
mand They all behaved with that spirit OF courage and
noble daring which distinguished the whole army in this
memorable action, and achieved tho brilliant vico-
ry of the sge.
serv't. L. A. MAY
Capt. Cd Dragons, comdg I'd squadron.
It. Mcdonald, Adjt I'd Drsgoons.
REPORT OF Lieut.. COL BELKNAP TO GENE
RAJ TAYLOR.
HEAparARTERs First BRIGADE,
CAN'T NEAR MATAMoR.s, May l5 1916.
SiR,ln submitting an oicill report Of the operations
of the first brigade in the actions of the and 9th of
May at Pao Alto and Reaca de la Palma feel degree
Of deicacy in the task, from my humble rank in compa
rison with the importance and magnitude Of my CON
mand, and lest shall be unable full justic to the
admirable con iuct of the officers men who served
On first meeting the enemy received your order to
form on the left, with instructions to the chap.
parral and allow the refresh them elves by Ce
ting water Perceiving In few the enc
my advancing, anu not mo wing prccisely-being
on the left OF tine linewhere water be obtained
directed the remain in the ranks The enemy short
~ after having halted and your instructions for the re-
reshnent Of the men having been repeated they pro-
ceeded to get water and mcjatey fell in prepared
and eager for action lhe brigade then ordered to
advance in column on the left OF the armyhe battalion
OF artillery, under command Of Lieut. Col Chds the
right, the sth regiment of Infantry commanded by Capt
Montgomery, on the Left and Capt Duncans bate ry in
the centre The army having then been ordered to ad
vance the brigade moved in this order until the enemy
Duncan's battery advanced about two hundred yards
and commenced most destructive fire upon the enemy
This disposition was maintained for about two hours,
when the enemy's fire sackened, and finally ceased.
Nothing could surpass the GOODNESS and seadness Of the
command while thus exposed to Calling fire, receiving,
aimed artillery, without the power Of defending them.
In short time after the firing ceased the army was
ordered TO advance and take position somewhat
to the enemy; the battalion OF artillery taking post in
rear and TO the right Of the tive Founders; Capt Dun
cans artillery their left, and infantry on the
left, and to the Of this battery. At this moment
Capt. Duncan, with his usual quckness of perception
discovered and communicated to the that the
was moving the entire cavalry and infantry Of
his right wing upon our train in rear Of the left of
line OF battle, and that his battery could produce
destructive effect upon the enemy by taking position
further fl to the left ! oroered him to proceed to tho
threatened point with all possible Dispatch and hold the
enemy in check till the sth infantry could come
up to his support. The battery dashed back to the
lett HANK In full view OF the emmy and engaged
him within point blank range of his small guns So
sudden and unexpected this to the enc
u moment
an opposite direction behind the smoke If burning
prairie that his whole column Of cavalry pulled up to
halt before shot had been fired the guns unm.
beIcd strong body of the enemy's infantry support.
ed by two squairons Of cavalry debouched iom the
treme right Of the chaarra and moved steadily forward
to the attack section Of the battery opened upon
them with round shot, Shells spherical case so well
directed that the whole advance horse foot fell back
In disorder to the bushes the other section play the
meantime upon the masses Of cavalry that had halted
at the sight Of the guns as before mentioned Although
these shots well delivered ana each made an opeh.
o encm a
line stood mistaken.
The column OF cavalry and infantry, driven back in
the chaarral by the other section reformed there and
moved forward second time to the attack with great
regularity After they advanced about 100 yards IRON
the chaparra the section before ordered drive them
back again opened, and drove them with even greater
success than before. They fell back pell nell the
cavalry abandoned them, rushed back upon the
head VI the columns that had before wihstood our
took up and the entire right wing Of the army
full retreat Both sections we're now brought to bear
upon ,. the snemy's brsken and flying columns, and
in the chaparral or darkness put end to the battle
When this battery first reached its position the left
and before the infantry could arrive for It's support Cap
tain Ker, ofthe I'd dragons who had been d With
his squadron guard the bag train, with prompt
and worthy OF all praise offered repcl
any attempt Of the enemy assa the battery on its lett
During the absence OF the 5h infantry the left the
of artillery battalion and sue.
cessfuy repealed u desperate effort If the enemy to
carry the 10 FOUNDERS by promptly forming square and
arresting the charge cavalry While in this position,
he received fire IRON line Of the enemys infantry,
which quickly returned He then encainpcd on his
ground; at this time the brigade reunited
the ispounder battery, and bivouacked n.iron Of the
army.
On the morning OF the 9th we were instructed to as
sumo the order AMI advance upon the enemy, he
having in the night and early in the morning, retired.
The brigade advanced the PLAIN AID took position
in the chaparral where we halted for several hours,
waiting instructions, and burying in the time ee
ven OF the enemys Dead that there found terribly
manged The army having been put in marcel. in the
afternoon. the brigade ordered to halt reserve,
when within about mile of the enemy's position In
few minutes the firing having commenced in front re.
ceived orders to up Dnncans battery and bat
talon Of infantry. The battery and the slh regiment
were Immediately put in motion the latter in double
quick time.
On arr wing at the scene Of action the 9Th regiment
charged the enemy the right of the road and drove
him IRON his position At this Captain May, of
the I'd Dragons, informed that he had charged ard
carried OF the cnemys batteries but being unsup
ported was Enabled to maintain it. nme dIately or
dered the 9Th infantry to form in the road when it
led TO charge upon the battery, part of which had
reported been retaken by the enemy. This movement
was executed with the eest celebrity and the battery
secured The regiment then charged upon the ravine
and across the small prairie. amidst a sheet Of fire from
the font and right drove the supporting column before
IT, destroy Ing the enemy in vast numbers-hey having
maintained most determined and obstinate resistance,
until finally repulsed and driven the field. Captain
Montgomery with his regiment pursued vigorously into
the chapar. al the opposite side ravine until
from the rapid flight Of the enemy, farther pursuit
useless.
The conflict short. The result shows the seve.
rty.
h Infantry, who in command Of the advance had gal
lanty brought the action and poured destruc.
tive and kept up an incessaLt fire upon the enemy.
After the commencement of the action, advancing
with the sth infantry and the battery Of the artillery
ordered Ii Col Childs to remain with his battalion
II Is due to Col g. state that he was dcsi
that his battalion sh ond be selected advance
to the action instead Of the Sth regiment lie after
received orders from the general
He obeyed and rapidly pursued the enemy the Rio
GrIndc, where having thrown picket he captured
one captain aud about twelve prvates during the enc
mp's fight
As the enemy's batteries were carried, and his
infantry began to give ground Capt Duncan was ORDER
cd to aross the ravine and take up new position that
previously occupied, rendering impossible for nm 10
assan the enemy, without Calling our own ucoPss-
well directed shots from batteries driving MN from
position to positionhill he reached the river
Where all have acted noby. IL may seem improper 70
speak OF individuals but feel comPelied 20 name the
commanders Of corps the brigade he COMMANDER OF
from His well.earned fame, won on many field, Is