Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-07-04


the guns under Major Ringgold in i,s vicinity.
The Major himself, while coolly directing the
fire Of his pieces. was struck by cannon ball
and mortally wounded.
In the meantime, the battalion of artillery
under Lieut.. Col. Chlds 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 col.
umn continued to advance under q severe firc
from the 1s.pounders--Ths battalion was in.
ssantly formed in square and held ready to re.
ccive the charge Of cavalry. but where the ad.
vancing equadrons were within close range
deadly FIRE Of canister from the ls.pounders
dispersed them. A brisk FIRE OF small arms was
now opened upon the square, by which one off,
Ger, Lieut.. Luther, I'd artillery. was slightly
wounded, buta well directed volley from the
front Of the square si;enced all further firing
from the enemy in this quarter. II was now
nearly dark and the action was closed on the
right Of our line, the enemy having been COM
pletely driven back from his position and foiled
IN every attempt against our line.
While the above was going forward on our
right and under my own eye, the enemy had
made a serious attempt against the left of our
line. Capt. Duncan instantly perceived the
movement. and by the bold and brilliant name.
uvering Of his battery, completely repulsed ev.
cry successive effort Of the enemy to advance
in force upon our left flank. Supported in sue.
cession by the 9th infantry and by Capt. Kcrs
squadron Of Dragons, he gallently he'd the
enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with i'm.
mense loss, from the field. The action here
and along the whole line, continued until dark,
when the enemy retired into the chapparal in
rear Of his position. Our army bivouoked on
the ground il occupied. During the afternoon
the train had been moved forward about half q
mile, and was packed in the rear Of the new
position.
Our loss this day, wss nine killed, torty.four
wounded, and two missing. Among the woun.
ded. were Msjor Ringgold, who has since died,
and Capt. Psge, dangerously wounded: Lieut.
Luther. slightly so. ! annex . tabular state.
ment ofthe casualties Of the day. Our own
force engaged. 10 shown by the field report
herewith, TO have been III officers and 2,lll
men-spgregste, 2,2ss. The Mexican force
according TO the statements oi their own officer.
taken prisoners in the affair Of the 9th, was moi
less than 6.0OO regular troops. with l9 pieces
Of artillery, and probably exceeded that number
the irregular force not known. Their loss wss
not less than 200 killed and 400 wounded
probably greater. This estimate s very mod
crate. and formed upon the number actually
counted upon the field and upon the reports o
their own officers.
As already reported in my first brief despatch
the conduct OF our officers and men was ever,
thing that could be desired. Exposed for hour
to the severest trials csnnonsde OF artiller,
Our troops displayed coolness and constan
cy which gsve me, throughout, the assurance
of victory.
purposely defer the mention Of individual
until my report Of the action of,he 9th, when
will endeavor to do justice to the many nstan
ces Of distinguished conduct on both days. L
the meantime. refer, for minute details, to tn
reports of individual commanders. l an, Gil
very respectfully,
Your obedient servant. Il. TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. s. A. Commanding
The ADIurASr GESsRAL or rns AsMv.
Washington, d. c.