Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-03


Saltillo road.
! before proceeding to report the operations of tn
2lst and following days, beg leave to state that
shall mention In detail only those which were con
Quoted against the Eastern extremity of the city o
elsewhere. under my immediate direction, referrin:
you for the particulars of Gen. Worth's operations
which were entirely detached, to his own full re
port transmitted herewith
| Early on the morning of the 2lst, received ;
note from General Worth, written at half past :
O'Clock the night before, suggesting what had al
ready intended, strong diversion against the cen
tire and left of the town TO favor his enterprse
against the heights in rear. The infantry and ar
tiiery or the LIST division, aud the field division OF
volunteers. were ordered under arms and took the
direction OF the city, leaving one company of each
regiment as camp guard: The 2nd dragons, UNI
der Lieut.. Col. May, and Col. Woods regiment, OF
Iexas mounted volunteers, under the immediate di-
rectlon of Gen. Henderson, were directed TO the
right to support Gen. Worth, if ecrssary, and to
make an impression, if practicable, upon the upper
quarter oil the city. Upon approaching the mortar
battery, the LIST and Sd regiments OF infantry and
battalion of Baltimore and Washington volunteers.
with Capt. Bragg's field battery-the whole under
command of Lieut.. Col. Garland--were directed
towards the lower part of the town. with orders to
make strong demonstration, and carry one of the
enemys advanced works, if it could be done with
out too heavy loss. Mai. Mansfield engineers
cal engineers, accompanied this column Mai Mans
field being charged with its direction, and the de-
slgnatlon of points of attack. In the meantime the
mortar, served by Capt Ramsay, of the ordnance,
and the howitzer battery, under Capt. Webster lst
artillery, had opened their fire upon the citadel.
which was deliberately sustained, and answered
from the work Gen. Buffers division had now
taken position in rear of this battery, when the
discharges Of artillery, mingled finally with rapid
hat
command had become warmly engaged now
deemed II necessary to support this attack and ac
cordlngy ordered the 4th infantry and three repi-
ments OF Gen. Buffers division TO march at once by
the ieit flank In the direction of the advanced work
at the lower extremity OF the town. leaving one re-
glment ist Kentucky TO cover the mortar and
howitzer battery. BY some mistake, two compa-
MES OF the 18th infantry did not receive this order
and consequently did not join the advance comma
MES until some time after.
Lieut. Col. Garland's command had approached
the town Iii direction to the right of the advanced
work No } at the Northeastern angle OF the CITY
and the engineer officer, covered by skirmisLers
iiau succeeded IN entering the suburbs and gaining
cover. The remainder of this command now ad.
vanced, and entered the town under heavy fire of
artillery from the citadel and the works ON the left
ana oil muSketry from the houses and small works
In 'front.' movement to the right was attempted
with a view To gain the rear OF No |. and carry
that work, but the troops were SO much exposed to
lire which they could not eilectualy return. and
mad already sustained such severe loss particularly
In officers, that It deemed best TO withdraw
them to more secure position.-Capt Backus. LIST
infantry, however, with portion of his own and
oliler companies, had gained the roof of tannery
which looked directly into the gorge of No. |. and
from which he poured most destructive fire into
that work and upon the strong building i'm it's rear
HIS fire happily conceded in point Of time with
nf a t1tfIlI ky,,f,,n
upon NO. /. and contributed largely to the fall OF
that strong and important work
L he three Tegimeats of the volunteer division
under the immediate command Of Major Gen. But
Ter, had III the meantime advanced in the direction
OF No 1.-The leading brigade, under Bripadier
General Qultman, continued its advance upon that
work, preceded by three companies of the 9TH in
fantry, while Gen. Butler. with the LIST Ohio repi-
ment, entered the town TO the right. The compa-
nies OF the 4ih infantry had advanced within short
range OF the work, when they were received by
IRE that almost IN one moment struck down one
third of the officers and men, and rendered it ne
cessary TO retire and effect a conjunction with the
Two other companies then advancing Gen. Quit
mans brigade, though suffering most severely. par-
ticulary in the Tennessee regiment. continued its
advance, and finally carried the work in handsome
style, as well as the strong building lin It's rear
Five pieces OF artillery, considerable supply of
ammunition, and thirty prisoners including three of
hcers, fell into our hands. Mai. Gen Butler. with
the LIST Ohio regiment, after entering the edge of
the town, discovered that nothing was to be ac-
cOmpllshed in his front, and at this point yelIinr
to the suggestions OF several officers | ordered a
retrograde movement but learning almost mncdi
ateiy from one of my staff that the battery No.
was in our possession, the order was countermanded
and determined TO hold the battery and defences
already gained. Gen. Butler, with the LIST Ohio
regiment, then entered the town at point farther
TO the left, and marched in the direction OF the bat
terry No. 2. While making an examination with
view to ascertain the possibility of carving this
second work by storm, the General was wounded
and soon after compelled quit the field. As the
strength of No. z, and the heavy musketry fire
thanking the approach rendered it impossible to car
ry it without great loss, the LIST Ohio rerirnent WAS
withdrawn from the town.
Fragments of the various regiments enuaued
were now under cover of the captured battery and
some buildings III It's front and on the right. The
field batteries OF Captains Bragg and Riducly were
also partially covered by the battery An incessant
fire was kept up on this position from battery No.
2, and other works on its right. and from the cita
del on all our approaches. Gen. TwicCs. thouob
quite unwell, joined me at this point, and was in
sirumentai In causing the artillery captured from
the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by
Capt hidgely against No 2, until the arrival OF
Capt. Nebster's howltzer battery, which took lis
place. In the meantime directed such men as
could be collected from the LIST, Sd, and 18th regi-
mems, and Baltimore battalion, to enter the town.
penetrating to the right and carry The ID battery
if possible. This command, under Lieut. Col. Gar
lard, advanced beyond the bridge "Purisima, p
when, finding it impracticable to gain tie rear Of
the "a battery, portion OF it sustained themselves
Tor some time IN that advanced position but as nc
permanent impression could be made at that point
and the main object of the general operation hac
been elected, the command. including section o
Capt. RIdgcy's battery which had joined it, wa.
Withdrawn 10 battery No. /. During the absenc,
of this column. a demonstration of cavalry was re
ported In the direction Of the citadel Capt. Bragg
who was at hand. Immediately caIloncd t,i,b &?