The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-12
REPORT OF LIEUT.. COL. BELKNAP TO
GENERAL TAYLOR
HEAD0UARrERs FIRST BRIGADE,


Camp near MatamOras, May Is, 1886.
Sra: In submitting an official report Of the opera
tons Of the first brigade in the actions Of the 9Th and
9Th Of May at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, 1
feel degree Of delieaey in the task, from my hum
BILE rank, IN comparison with the Importance and
magnitude Of my command, and lest shall be un-
able 10 do full Justice TO the admirable conduct of
the officers and men who served under my orders.
On first meeting The enemy, received your order
70 form on the eft, with instructions 10 move into
the ehapparal and allow the men 10 refresh them
selves by getting water. Perceiying in a few mo-
ments that the enemy were advancing, and not
knowing preeisely-being on the lefl Of the line
where water was 10 be obtained | directed the men
TO remain In the ranks. The enemy shortly after
having halted, and your instructions for the refresh
ment Of the men having been repeated. they pro-
eeeded 10 get water, and Immediately fell in, prepar-
ed and eager for action. The brigade was then or
dered to advance in column the left Of the army
the battalion OF artillery, under command Of Lieut.
Col. Chlds, on the right, the sth regiment of in
fantry, commanded by Captain Montgomery, on
The left, and Captain Duncans battery in the centre
The army having then been ordered TO advance, the
brigade moved in this order until the enemy opened
his batteries; when the brigade was ha ted Captain
Dunean's battery advanced about two hundred
yards and commenced a most destructive fire upon
the enemy This disposition was maintained for
about two hours, when the enemys hre slackened
and finally ceased. Nothing could surpass the cool
mesa and steadiness Of the command while thus ex-
posed TO CALLING fire, receiving, they did, the
heavy discharges Of the enemys well-aimed artillery
without the power of defending themselves.
In short time after the firing ceased the army
was ordered to advance and take position somewhat
nearer to the enemy the battalion Of artillery taking
post in and TO the right Of the two FOUNDERS
Captain Dunean's artillery on their left, and the 9th
infantry on the left, and 10 the rear Of his battery
AT this moment Captain Duncan, with his usual
quickness Of perception, discovered and communi-
Gated to me the fact that the enemy moving the
entire cavalry and infantry force Of his right wing
upon our train in Of the left Of line Of battle
and that his battery could produce more destruc-
tive effect upon the enemy by taking position fur
Their to the left | ordered him to proceed to the
threatened point with all possible dispatch, and hold
the enemy in check I'LL the 9th infantry could come
up to his support The battery dashed back to the
ieft flank in full view Of the enemy and engaged
bum within point blank range of his small guns. So
sudden and unexpected was this movement to the
nemy, who, moment before, saw this battery dis
appear in the opposite direction behind the smoke
OF the burning prairie that his whole column Of cav
airy pulled up to halt before shot had been fired
Or even the guns unlimbered. strong body
Ut the enemy's infantry, supported by
two squadrons Of cavalry, debouched from
the extreme right Of the chapparal, and moved
steadily forward 10 the attack; one section of IN.
battery opened upon them with round shot, shells,
and spherical case, well directed that the Whole
idvance horse and foot fell back in disorder TO the
pushes; the other section played in the meantime
upon the masses of cavalry that had halted at the
sight OF the guns as before mentioned Although
these shots were well delivered, and each made an
opening through an entire squadron this part of the
enemy's line stood mistaken.
The column of cavalry and infantry, driven back
in the chapparal, by the other section, reformed
there and moved forward, second time TO the at
tack with great regularity. After they advanced
about l0o yards from the chappara the section be-
fore ordered TO drive them back, again opened and
drove them with even greater success than before
They fell back pell-meto the bushes and commenced
their retreat; their supporting cavalry abandoned
them, rushed back upon the head of the columns
that had before withstood our shot, and a fight
commenced. Squadron after squadron took it 10
and the entire right wing of the army was in full
retreat. Both sections were now brought to bear
upon the enemy's broken and flying columns. and
brisk and destructive fire kept up, till thew dis
appeared in the chapparal darkness put an end to
the battle.
When this battery first reached its position on
the left and before the infantry could arrive for its
support, Captain ker, of the ID dragons, who had
been directed with his squadron to guard the bag
gage tram, with promptness and eagerness worthy
of all praise, offered to repel any attempt of the enc
my to assail the battery on its left
During the absence of the 9th infantry on the left
the commander of the artillery battalion, vigorously
and successfully repealed desperate effort on the
part OF the enemy to carry the ISpounders by
promptly forming square and arresting the charge
of cavalry While IN this position, he received a
fire from line of the enemy's infantry, which was
quickly returned. He then encampcd on his own
ground; at this time the brigade was reunited near
the ls-pounder battery and bivouacked in front of
the army.
On the morning of the 9th we were instructed to
assume the same order and advance upon the enc
my, he having in the night and early in the morn
ing, retired. The brigade advanced across the
plain and took position in the chapparal where we
halted for several hours waiting instructions, and
burylng IN the mean time eleven of the enemy . dead
that were there found terribly mangled. The army
having been put in march in the afternoon, the brig
ade was ordered to halt a reserve, when within
about mile of the enemy's position. In a few
minutes, the firing having commenced in 'front.' | re-
ceived orders to move up Duncan's battery and one
battalion of infantry. The battery and the 9Th regi-
mcnt were Immediately put in motion, the latter in
double quick time.
On arriving at the scene of action, the 9Th regi-
mcnt charged the enemy on the right of the road
and drove him from his position At this mo-
ment, Captain May, of the 81 Dragons, inform
ed me that he had charged and carried one of the
enemy's batteries, but being unsupported, was
unable to maintain it. Immediately ordered
the 9Th infantry to form in the road when
il was led to charge upon the battery, a part of
which had, as reported, been retaken by the enemy.
This movement was executed with the greatest ce-
lerty, and the battery secured. The regiment then
charged upon the ravine and across the small prai-
rie, amidst sheet Of fire from the front and RIGHT
drove the supporting column before it, destroying
the enemy in vast numbers-they having main
tanned a most determined and obstinate resistance
ell, ,laaI l.,,-
Captain Montgomery, with his regiment, pursued
vigorously into the chapparal on the opposite side
Of the ravine, until from the rapid flight Of the enc
my, farther pursuit was useless.
The conflict was short. The result shows that
severity.
AT the head Of the ravine met with Captain
Mccall, 4th Infantry, who, in command Of the adj
vance, had CALAMITY brought on the action, and
poured most destructive, and kept up an incessant
fire upon the enemy
After the commencement Of the action, on Ivan
cling with the 9th infantry and the battery of the
artillery, ] ordered 1t Col Childs to remain with
his battalion as reserve. Il is due to Col C. to
state, that he was DESTROYS that his battalion shoud