The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1846-12-19

had attracted the attention of both his Colonel
and myself. From this commencement, in a
short time the action became general. The
enemy appearingto be in great force and firing
upon our troops from every position Of appa-
rent security, despatched my aid, Lieutenant
Nichols, with orders to advance the whole Of
my brigade which could be spared from the
redoubts occupied by us. A portion of the
Mississippi Regiment, under Major Bradford,
advanced to the support of the troops engaged,
but Lieut.. Col. Anderson, with part of the
Tennessee Regiment, was required to remain
for the protection of the redoubts in our pos
session. With this additional force more ac-
tive operations upon the city were begun
Detachments Of our troops advanced, penetrat-
ing into buildings and occupying the fiat roofs
OF houses, and, by gradual approaches, driving
the enemy back. They had been engaged
more than an hour, when they were reinforced
by a detachment of dismounted Texan Ran
gers, commanded by Gen. Henderson, with
whose active and effectual corporations the
attack upon the city was gradually, but sue
cessfully prosecuted Building, streets, and
courts were occupied by our troops without
much loss, until, after being engaged for about
five hours, having advanced within less than
two squsYs of the great plaza, apprehensive
that we Might fail under the range of our own
artillery, which had been brought up to our
support, and our ammunition being nearly ex-
bausted, active operations were ordered to
cease until the effect of the batteries, which
had been brought forward into one of the prn-
cipal streets, could be seen.
1t being found that the barbados in the
neighborhood of the plaza, were too strong to
be battered down by our light artillery, the
commanding general, who had taken position
in the city, ordered the troops gradually and
slowly to retire to the defences taken in the
morning. This was done in good order, the
enemy firing occasionally upon us, but not ven
turing to take possession of the part of the
town we had occupied. Our forces had scarce
ly retired from their advanced position in the
city, when we heard the commencement of
the attack of the division under General Worth
on the opposite side of the town. The force
under my command had been engaged from 8
O'Clock la The morning to 3 P. M. 1t should
be recorded, to the credit of the volunteer
troops, that the greater portion of them had
been without sustenance since the morning of
the 22daspd exposed throughout he very in
Element and rainy night of the 22d, To serve
duty without blankets or overcoats and yet not
q murmur was heard among them-their alac-
rity remained undated to the last moment
The character of this affair, the troops being
necessarily separ ted into many small parties,
gave frequent occasion to the exhibition of in
dividual courage and daring. The instances
occurred so frequently, in which both officers
and men distinguished themselves, that to re-
count those which fell under my own observa-
ton, or which were brought to my notice by
officers would extend this report to an impro-
per length. 1t is my duty and pleasure to
of Texas, joined my command as volunteer
in the commencement of the attack on the
city, and by his counsel and example aided and
encouraged the troops. Maj. E. R. Price, of
Natchez, and Capt. J. R. Smith, of Louisiana,
both from the recently disbanded Louisiana
troops, acted with distinguished bravery as
volunteers in Col. Davis's regiment. Refer
ring 10 the reports of Col. Davis, 1t. oil. An
derson, and Maj. Bradford for further particu
lars, and to the lists herewith submitted of the
killed and wounded on the 22d and 23d
have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully, &c,
J. A. QUITMAN,
Brig Gen. U. S. A, Com. Cd Brig. Vol.
Brig. Gen. T. L. HAMER, Com. LIST Div. Vol.