Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-05-29

guns at them, and set to work throwing UP
,breast-works. At daylight, the Mexicans
were in the edge of the Chapparal. A coun-
Gil of war was held by Gen. Taylor, and it
was agreed that one Brigade should advance
up to the Chappara in hopes to draw the Mexi-
cans into renewal Of the fight, but the more
the troops advanced upon them, the mere they
warnt there-the Mexicans having retreated,
leaving three pieces Of artillery, and any guam.
tity of ammunition-from FOUR to SIX
HUNDRED DEAD upon the field, and God
only knows how many wounded that they took
away. One Mexican, who was stationed at
one Of their batteries, says every body but
himself at the batteries was kilIed-says the
guns beat any thing they ever dreamed of,
they were so quick. One of the Mexican off,
GERS, in trying to rally his men, found he could
not, and commenced to cnt them with his
sword. when his troops shot him dead. We
had ii killed, and about 10 MORALLY wounded.
Capt. Page of the Sd, had all the lowerpart of
his face shot off with a cannon ball 1T is thought
he will recover, though horribly mutated. Ma
jor Ringold had the tieshy part of both his legs
shot through, and horse killed-none of his bones
broken, which is wonderful. Our informent says
the field of battle was strewed with the dead. and
they could hear the groans of the Mexican wound
ed all night at Gen. rs camp. The Mexicans were
commended by Gen. Malta. There is no doubt
they have retreated across the river. When the
volunteers arrive you may depend you will hear
of them "revelling in the halls of the Montezumas
oil. peace and good will, will whipped into those
bombastic Mexicans. 1t is a matter of surprise
that so few were lost on our side.
The monotony of this place has been reliev-
ed the last two days by the drilling OF " I'm
Gle Samuel's' "web-feet" or barnaclebacks'
that came here from the Squadron. GU would
be surprised to see with what dexterity & pre-
cision they go through their evolutions with
the muskets, no one could resist laugh to
hear some of their sayings. One old salt said
this morning "Damn and blast my eyes! here
is a ship ashore, and poor Jack on his beam
ends. "-This speech was addressed to him
self when looking on the tent that had been
! pitched, and was of sufficient dimensions to
hold about ffty-two.
One third of the whole number of the men
from the squadron are Marines, the balance
Tars. / should picture TO myself soldier RI
ding on horseback or a COW, as soon as
should see or five hundred sailors going in
to war with muskets on their shoulders. but
you could not restrain them from going a,
gainst the Mexicans with only knife and
t fork, If you would only shew them chance
for they are all ''eager for the fray"
: ours. &c.
In the decisive battle Gen. Taylor lost a
} bout sixty killed and wounded, among whom
there were three officers, viz Lieut.. Inges, o
the Dragons; Lieut.. Cochran, Of the 4th In
fantry, and Lieut.. Chadburn, of the 8th Infan
: try. Among the wounded are Col. MclntosI
, of the 5th infantry; Lieut.. Col. Payne, At
e Artillery, and Capt. Hooe, 5th Infantry-mos
:. ofthem slightly, and none supposed MORALLY
Major RinggoId, well known as the com
mander of the Flying Artillery, also died OF
&, the lth, from wounds received in the actor
of the 9Th.
! Capt. Page, who was wounded in the same
e engagement, we are happy to state, is rapidly
e recovering. Lieut.. Luther, also slightly woun
t ded, is convalescent.