The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-06-04

the two muskets upon his left shoulder,
drew his sword as sort Of pacificalor, and
thus marched them, at respectful dls.
lance in advance, straight into camp
From them some desirable information
was obtained. after which they we're led
bindioldeu out Of the camp, set safely IN
their boats and dismissed. When Gilbert
was asked how he was able TO make such
a double prize, he gave the Paddvs reply
aud said, " Faith surrounded en-.
PARTICULAR ACCOUNTS OF THE BAT.
TIES On THE 9Th AND 9th.
Although our readers are already in pos.
session OF the principal events connected
with the battles on these tso days, We are
quite sure that the subjoined statement of
the particulars will be acceptable to them.
PoINr ISABEL, May II.
By The last departure | wrote you brief
Is Of the ope ratlons Of the army up 10 that
time of the bombardment of the fort op.
posite Matamoras, and the movement OF
Gen. Taylor with the main body to this
place, for the purpose OF streng thenng lis
dsfences. Having effected this he march.
cd without waiting for reinforcemen,s, on
the evening Of the 7th anl On the 9Th a,
O'Clock, found the enemy IN position, IN
front Of chaparraI, which lies opposite to
the timber OF stream called Palo Alto.
The tram was closed up. the troops fill.
ed their canteens, and Gen, Taylor promp,
~ formed his line OF battle as follows on
the ri hit was RInggolds Battery. 9th and
Sd Infantry then two eighteen Founders
then the Artillery Battalion. The left
was composed OF the 4th aud Sth Infantry
and Ouucan's Battery. A daring recon.
noisance by Capt, J. f. Blake, showed the
enemy's line to be nearly twice the strength
Of ours, With heavy eseryes in the chap.
arral. The Mexicans opened the action
with their Artillery, the range Of which
was hardly great enough TO reach our line,
which was moving slow on forward, aud
some got into the ihickest o. their sho, and
halted. Their fire was returned from all
of our batteries, and venture TO say that
no field OF battle ever displayed such skill,
or rnpid,y of fire aud evolution.
The first and only important movement
attempted by the enemy, was detachment
Of their cavalry TO make IA dctnur around
a clump Of chaparral on our tight, and at.
tack the train. Capt. Walker, Of the
Texas Rangers, promptly reported THIS,
aud the 9th Infantry vas detached TO meet
1t, which 1t did handsomely, receiving the
Iancers in square, and driving them by a
well delivered volley. The cavalry then
pushed on again for the train, and found
the Sd Infantry advancing in column Of di
visions upon them. They then retired, and
as they repassed the 5th, they received a
fire from Lieut.. RldgeIey's two pieces
ahlch had arrived at the nick Of time. -
Two field pieces which were following the
enemys cavalry, were also driven bac k
with them.
Meanwhile the enemy's left was riddIed
by the | Founders, which SLOWLY adyanc
cd upon the road-Duncan' battery on the
left neglecting the euemy's guns, threw
their fire into the Mexican infantry, and
swept whole ranks. The 9Th infantry on
the lef, suffered severely from the enemy ;,
fire. The grass was set on fire at the end
OF an hours cannonadng, and obscured the
enemy's position completely, and an inter.
val OF three. quaf'ers Of an hour occurred.
During this period our right, now resting
on the Is Founders, advanced along the
wood, to the point originally occupied b.
the Mexican left, and when the smoke hac
! cleared away sufficient TO show the enemy
the fire was resumed with increased rapid
lty and execution. Duncan divided his bat
terry on The len, giving q section to Lieut.
Roland, to operate ia front, and with the
other he advanced beyond the burning pas,
(Which was three feet high and the flame,
. rolled 10 fee, in the strong breeze. anc
seized the prolongalinn Of the enemy +,
: right entiladlng that flank completely -
Night found the two armies in this position
On the OH, the General packed the
heavy train, collected the eneIny's wound