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

that on this occasion the enemy had over
5000 fighting men. But the greatest diff
fculty under which we labored was the
absolute necessity of protecting in an O.
pen prairie, from the enemy's numerous
cavalry, our enormous train of provisions
and ammunition, without which, even if
we gained victory, we could not relieve
our garrison opposite Matamoras, or
maintain our position there. Besides we
were miserabIy deficient as to the num-
Der of our cavalry, havIug only some 200
Dragons, while the enemy could not
have had less than / 500 or 1000. The
men being refreshed our General rode to
each Brigade, told the men to keep cool,
and when the enemy charged not to fire
a shot until they were repulsed with the
bayonet, and had turned their backs in
flight.
Our advance then recommended slowly
but firmly, wagons and all; and when we
arrived within good artiIley range, their
batteries opened upon us, some Of their
halls bouncing along the plain and pass
ing us in ''rechoche, others flying over
our heads, and falling in the rear, showing
us in few moments that their pieces were
served with skill &precision. A movement
was now observed among the enemy's
cavalry as if about TO charge, and the Re-
giments nearest them were thrown into
square, or formation preparatory to the
square, and 50 disposed as to protect our
] 70
fire. During this time some fifteen min
utes, the enemy's fire wasreceived III per-
fe Il silence by us, and at length, Capt.
DUNCAN having been ordered to open up
on them, advanced in the most gallant
manner, and placing himself in posi-
ton to be protected by the Infantry, as
sault the enemy's cavalry, and one
which would enable him at the same
time to gall their cavalry and masses of
infantry, sent a withering fire among
them, which created some confusion, and
which was answered by our squares of
infantry by one long simultaneous shout.
which showed how anxious they were to
be led to the charge at once-but this
could not be. They were destined to
give the strongest evidence of courage
that soldier can exhibit-to stand in
squares for hours under fire OF the ene-
my's artillery, so as to protect from the
enemy's cavalry our own artillery, whilst
the latter was moving down the enemy's
ranks. As soon as Duncan opened, Ma
jor RINGGoLD's thunder was heard on the
right, Lieut.. CHURCHnL's from the lS
Founders in the centre, and all the ene-
my's batteries opening at the same time,
tremendous canonading ensued which,
on this plain of almost boundIess extent,
presented spectacle Of great magnifl-
cence. The battle commenced at 10
! minutes paste, p NJ. II had lasted a.
bout an hour, when large body of the
enemy's red Lancers charged the 18th In
fantry, with view of cutting of our
wagon train. They were met with the
most perfect tranquility, and discharge
Of musketry from the 5th (Gen. Brook 's)
Regiment told us their fate. They fled
precipitately, leaving men, horses, and
guidons on the field. In the meantime
the whole order OF battle had been chan
ged to conform to the manPuvres of the
enemy, and our Brigade. the lst, which
, was the left, now found itself in advance
and on the right-thc Artillery Battalion
being on the extreme right and most in
advance. 1t must be observed also thai
! in these different changes our General
was always slowly bu steadily gaining
ground to the front, and the enemy gradu.
ally falling back. The enemy's fire hav.
ing slackened, and then ceased. General
TAYLOR, from his new and more advan.
ced position, ordered all his batteries tc
open, and in his turn attacked the enemy
with such fury as to cause evident des
truction In his ranks; but still they renal
, ned firm. By charge on them they
might have been routed entirely, but then
we must have exposed our wagons to be
captured by their cavalry, and that coult
4 not be thought of.
t The battle had now lasted from IL
minutes past P. NJ. to about 7 p. NJ
: At this moment the enemy was discover
/, ed coming down with his left flank ir
: great force of cavalry and infantry, on the
y Artillery Battalion and the 1S FOUNDER.
( which that Battalion supported. The Ii
: FOUNDERS were served by thirty men, anC
the Artillery Battalion was about 36(
e strong. Both the battery and this Battal
= ion were in such position that they
e could not be supported by the other por
: ton of the army, and at the time the charg,
= commenced the Battalion had deploye,
Q into line. However it was thrown int
n square by prompt maneuvre, and awai
e ted steadily the Mexican charge. Oh
: they came, '.horse, foot and dragons,
e shouting and yelling, when single horse
i man rode into the Square, and said, sMel
o ! place myself in your square" Th
:, General was Immediately recognized b,
n the rnnr, WIN nave him three cheers Go