The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-16

shoulder. Finding that they would not
come nearer Col. CHILDs, commanding
this Battalion, ordered volley, which
was given as if in parade, when the cne-
my Immediately retired. and the action
ended for the night. Our Army slept on
their arms precisely as night found them,
and occupied the position in which the
enemy commenced the battle. The two
armies slept quietly almost in presence of
each other. The night was serene and
beautiful, the moon casting the softest light
on every thing around us, and but for the
groans of the wounded and the screams
of those who were suffering under the
knife Of the Surgeons, no one could have
imagined the scenes which had occurred
but few hours previously.
On our side we had fifty-five killed and
wounded. The gallant Maj. RNGGoLD
was mortally wounded, and his noble
steed killed by the same shot, as ho was
giving his last fire TOR the night, and after
having distinguished himself by the cool
ness, precision and effect with which he
managed his Battery. Captain john
PAGE of the 4th Infantry, was horribly
wounded. supposed to be mortally. Many
officers had horses shot under them
Bliss, Lieutenant DANIELS, Captain
MONTGOMERY, and several others.
Many Dragons horses were killed,
and the escapes were almost incredible.
In MAGRUDER's company two men, n,whilst
at an order, had the bayonets of their
muskets cut off by cannon balls, passing
Just over their shoulders and between
their heads. He had also man killed
on his immediate right and left. Some
of the balls fell into the centres of the
squares, and REcocHED out again, with
out touching any one. Others fell just
on the out side and bounced over. To
stand patiently and coolly,in square under
such fire, for five hours, without firing
a shot, is the best evidence of discipline
and invincible courage that troops can
give. But more: the effect of this con-
duct, which none but regulars could have
shown, must be considered. The next
morning the enemy retreated, leaving the
field strewed with their dead, and having
lost. by their own confession, fire hua-
dred in killed and wounded; but we have
found out since that the loss is much
greater. The enemy's artillery was nu-
merous and served with great rapidity
and precision; while we had little cavalry
and they had an immense proportion oi
that arm. Hence our shell and grape
shot told briskly among them, In short
we gained on that day great victory
When we consider the enemy's numbers,
his numerous and effective regular cav
rlry, and well-drilled infantry and
artillery, and above all that he had
chosen his own ground, that upon which
he is most accustomed to fight,-the
plain-and compare all this with our In
feriority in all arms, and that we were
incumbered by a train we could not afford
to lose, we can only account for the re,
suit by the impression made on the ene-
my bv our firm and unshaken advance:
by the steadlness with which we repulstd
their cavalry, and by the unrivalled skill
of our artillery officers and men--to
which must be added perfect knowledge
on the part of both men and officers that
if we lost that battle the Fort at Matamo-
ras would fall, the Army be destroyed
and our depot, Point Isabel, be taken to
the eternal disgrace Of the American Ar.
nv and the ruin &C the interest of oul
| Government, for some time, at least, in
this part of the world. We could no
afford to be driven back single inch, ant
all were prepared for any thing but re
treat.
On the morning Of the 9th the Mexl
can army left the field at early dawn, ane
after arranging our train, we commen
ced the march towards our Fort at this
place. At o'clock, p. NJ, we fount
the enemy drawn up in great force, oc
cupying a ravine, which our road crossed
with thick ''chapparrar' or thorny bushes
on either side before it reached the ravin'
and pond of water on either side, where
it crossed the ravine, constituting com
plete defile. They were 1000 strong
we 81 weaker than the previous day
The General ordered an immediate at
tack, by all the troops except the Firs
Brigade, which was kept in reserve, ant
soon the rafting fire of musketry, min
gled with the heavy sound of artillery
announced the commencement OF the ac
ton. The enemy had chosen his posi-
tion which he considered impregnable-
was vastly superior to US IN numbers, ant
had ten pieces of artillery, planted In tn
defle, which swept the road with grape
and which it was absolutely necessary
for us to take before he could be beaten
These pieces were fianked on either sid
by Regiment Of brave veteran troops
from Tampico, and we were obliged t
stand an awful shower of grape and bul
letbefore charge could reach them
The battle had lasted some two hour
with GREAT fury IN both Sidps and man,