Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-09-05

FOUNDER and the FOUNDER inst badly provided Lieut.
Bragg was now ordered to place his guns in babee in the
several bahons for defence one, under his direction,
placed IN the bason commanded by Captain Hawkins one,
under Lieut. Thomas, in the bason commanded by Major
Seawe one, under the direction Of Lieut. Reynolds, in the
basion Of Captain Miles, and the other under the direction
Of Lieut. johnson, in the bason commanded by Captain Lee
In this condition surrounded and without the
OF preventing enemy from placing his batteries almost
wherever he pleased and using against his immense supply
of ammunition to every advantage. The conduct Of the Off
and of Captain Lowds and Lieut. Braggs compa-
MES during the cannonade with their batteries deserves high
commentator, they attracted the admiration Of the whole
command by the skilfu management of their guns From
seven o'clock the h the seventh infantry kept constantly
at work the deences though the enemys shells fell and
exploded in all directions around them, every lying down
when shell fell near aud Immediately resumng the spade
and pick after had exploded Officers showing
example to their men, in throwing dirt the para
pet The enemys fire recommended in very short time,
and kept up intervals until twelve o'clock at night
and when the of the 9TH infantry could longer work
from fatigue, they ordered stand their at the
parape and kept the alert all night Notwithstanding the
excessive fatigue of men, from constant labor under the
fire of the enemy not being able to hear the then do
hghtiu sound OF guns and from constant Watching
they in the highest spirits only regreng inability
to the enemy fire. Captain Walker from Cap
tain Mays command, into the fort three o'clock A.
NJ TO bear intelligence from the Commanding General
Left four o'clock but returned daybreak having found
that he discovered by The enemy and his before
daylight impracticable.
On the morning of the 4h, at five o'clock, again
saued from the enemys batteries the fire continued at
intervals during the day To-day labor was continued
under the fire of the enemys morta and night the unfn
nd hut,
fall could afford there barriers to be
removed the outside which might afford protection an
approaching party Of the enemy, and necessary
them at night for, if attempted during the day, men
would have been exposed calling fire Of CANISTER grape,
and ound shct As much of this work done tonight
possible but comparatively hite owing TO the fatigue of the
men, when they permitted get VIVA rest they could
with arms in hand at the parapet This evening Capt Wal
ker left US TO return, much fear being entertained for his safe
ty although he only confident himself of bis safety,
but expressed his determination kill capture of the
enenys pcke his At nine o'clock tonight when
we all seeking little reposc from labors, random
fire of muskety heard about three four hundred yards
oil rear, and extending distance up the river the
object being either annoy us, or by imitation of fight
draw out small party. This FIRE extremely annoying
to the balls, although SPENT fell all around US being
thrown from gun called by the Mexcans 'escopees,
short gun, carrying ball nearly large grape shot, and
which, being elevated throw the balls considerable distance
this fire continued about hour but served keep the
alert all night,
On the morning OF the 9Th the enemy commenced the fire
from his batteries the usual hour which now expected
great deal more regularly than breakfast Our labor
commenced again and to-day the 9TH infantry employed
constructing bomb-proo Shelters which had become Of the
most urgent necessity from the great precision with which the
enemy threw shells This morning our commander deter
mined to Try shells from Of the twelve FOUNDER how
tiers on the mortar battery but being beyond the effective
range nothing done prevent the enemy fire from be-
ing continued however, glad TO hear the sound
Of our guns and the exhaatng ELI cts of
very perceptble Immediately after fire ceased the
enemy became quite bold rear presun from the pre-
cision Of their firing and the perfect silence in the fort
that great execution had been DONE accommodating parties
Of infantry and cavalry all around US small
parties approaching within thee hundred yards of the
fort Lieut. Hanson 9TH infantry, with six dragoon was
sent out to look at hem who found the enemy force and
constructing battery this side Of the river, about
six hundred yards Distant and little of north Of US
his work the accommodating parties retreated very pecpac
yi and Lieut. Hanson having accomplished very galany
The object for which he out returned bringing
important information. To-day every kept hard
artillery in erecting protect themselves
their gur and the 7h infantry constructing bomb proof
shelters, filling and making sandbags Idle
and at this me when all the virtues Of the American soldier
were called into action every weighed in the balance
and results have proven that found wanting Night
brought respite but from the fire of the enemy cannon
and Of this even were by certain. were
found necessary be placed the counerscap the
ens Barriers had be removed and this be done
at night quietly possible Captains Hawkins and Lee
were sent out with their companies covered by party
skrnishers commanded BY Lieut.. Humber, clear away
brushes and other obstacles This continued until
A. NJ, when found necessary for the men, and they
returned TO get what little they could, with in hand
the parapet.
My 6h-At the usual hour this morning the enemys
fire opened Us from La Fonc de la Fechs, the
batteries in It's vicinity and the yesterday established
tins side OF the river The enemy had fire on US
and Wa warmly kept up. No exeron had been spared to
lessen our danger from IT, the almost exhausted energies
enemy bad masked battery the chapana north Of east
from the fort and the yer from which much was to be
dreaded and not knowing how it would open on Us
preparation had TO be made for its reception This morning our
brasures, TO let them know had little ammunition
left the compliment directly returned by them one Of
the SKIS striking the uunnion cap Of eghteepounder
but did no harm; and, being already loaded returned
shot directly into the embrasure from which had Just eceiv
ed one AT ten O'Clock to-day deprived the