Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-02
REPORTS FROM GENERAL TAYLOR.
To THE PRESIDENT.

To THE PRESIDENT.
REPORTS FROM GENERAL TAYLOR
= HEApauAsrEns Army OF OccupArIoN
CAMP NEAR MATAMoRAs, !
May l6, 1876
SIR Il have now the honor to submit more
detailed report of the action of the 9Th instant
The main body of the army of occupation march
ed under my immediate orders from Point Isabel ON
the evening of the 9TH of May and bvouacked seven
miles from that place.
Our march was resumed on the following morn
ing. About noon, when our advance of cavalry had
reached the water-hole of ''Palo Alto" the Mexi-
can troops reported in our front, and Were
soon discovered occupying the read in force. | or
dored halt upon reaching the water, with view
to rest and refresh the men and form deliberately
our line of battle. The Mexican line was now
plainly visible across the prairie, and about three
quarters of a mile distant. Their left, which was
composed of heavy force of cavalry, occupied the
road, resting upon thicket of chapparral, while
masses of infantry were discovered in succession on
the right, greatly outnumberng own force.
Our line of battle was now formed in the follow
ing order, commencing on the extreme right 9th
infantry, commanded by Lieut.. Colonel Mcintosh
Major Rlnggold's artillery Sd infantry command
ed by Capt l.. N. Morris two Is Founders com
manded by Lieut.. Churchill, Sd artillery 18th in
fantry, commanded by Major G.. w. Allen; the Sd
and 4th regiments composed the third brigade, I'M
der command of Lieut. Colonel Garland, and all
the above corps, together with two squadrons of dra-
goons, under Captains Kerr and May. composed the
right wing under the orders Colonel Twiggs The
left was formed by the battalion OF artillery com
manded by Lieut.. Colonel Childs, Captain Dun
cans light artillery, and the 9Th infantry under
Captain Montgomery, all forming the first brigade,
under command of Lieut.. Colonel Beknap. The
train parked near the water, under direction
Of Captains Crossman and Myers, and protected by
Captain Keu's squadron
About two O'Clock took up the march by
heads of columns in the direction of the enemy the
10 FOUNDER battery following the road. While the
columns were advancing, Lient Blake, Topo-
graphical Engineers, volunteered a reconnaissance
of the enemy's line, which was handsomely per
formed, and resulted in the discovery ofat least two
batteries OF artillery in the intervals Of their cavalry
and infantry. These batteries were soon opened
upon us, when ordered the columns halted and de-
ployed into line, and the fire to be returned by all
our artillery. The Sth infantry on our extreme
| left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The
first fires of the enemy did little execution, while
our lS Founders and Major RnggoIds artillery soon
dispersed the cavalry which formed his left.-Cap-
tam Dnncan's battery, thrown forward in advance
OF the line, was doing good execution at this time
Captain Mays squadron was now detached to sup
port that battery and the left of our position. The
Mexican cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, We're
now reported to be moving through the chapparral
to our right, to threaten that flank, or make de-
monstration against the train. The 9Th infantry
was immediately detached to check this movement
and, supported by Lieut.. Ridgely, with section
of Major Ringgold's battery, and Captain Walkers
company Of volunteers etfectually repulsed the enc
my-the 9Th infantry repelling charge of lancers
and the artillery doing great execution in their
ranks. The third infantry was now detached to
the right as still further security to that flank
yet threatened by the enemy. Major Ringgod
with the remaining section kept up his fire from an
advanced position, and was supported by the 9TH
| infantry
The grass of the prairie had been accidentally
fired by our artillery, and the volumes of smoke now
! partially concealed the armies from each other.
/ As the enemy's left had evidently been driven back
and left the road free, and as the cannonade had
been suspended, ordered forward the Is Founders
on the road nearly to the position first occupied by
the Mexican cavalry, and caused the first brigade to
take up new position, still on the left of the Is
! FOUNDER battery. The 9Th was advanced from its
forlner position, and occupied point ON the extreme
right OF the new line. The enemy made change
of position corresponding our own and after sis
pension of nearly an hour the action was resumed
The fire of artillery was most destructive {;
openings were constantly made through the enemy's
ranks by fire, and the constaucy with which
Mexican infantry sustained this severe cannonade
was theme of universal remark and admiration.
Captain Mays squadron was detached to make
demonstration on the left of the enemys position,
and suffered severely from the fire of artillery, TO
which it was for some time exposed.
| The fourth infantry, which had been ordered TO
support the IL FOUNDER battery, was exposed to
most CALLING fire of artillery by which several men
were killed and Captain Page dangerously wound
ed. The enemy's fire was directed against our
Is FOUNDER battery and the guns under Major Ring
| gold in It's vicinity. The Major himself, while
coolly directing the fire of his pieces, was struck by
a cannon ball and MORALLY wounded.
| In the mean time the battalion OF artillery under
Lieut.. Col. Chds had been brought up to support
the artillery ON our right A strong demonstration
| OF cavalry was now made by the enemy against this
part OF our line, and the column continued TO advance
under severe fire from the Is pounders-The
battalion was instantly formed in square, and held
ready to receive the charge OF cavalry but when
| the advancing squadrons were within close range a
deadly ire OF canister from the rs Founders dspers-
ed them--A brisk fire of small arms was now open
ed upon the square. by which one officer (Lieut.
Luther, I'd artillery was slightly wounded but a
welldlrected voley from the front of the square ST
fenced all further firing from the enemy in this
, quarter. 1t was now nearly dark and the action
was closed on the right of our line the enemy hay
ing been completely driven back from his position
and failed III every attempt against our line
While the above was going forward on our right
and under my own eye, the enemy had made Sc
rIous attempt against the left of our line. Captain
Duncan instantly perceived the movement, and, by
the bold and brilliant mauevuyring of his battery
completely repulsed several successive efforts of the