American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-15
Headquarters ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Fort Brown, Texas,

Camp near Fort Brown, Texas,
May II, 1916.
SIR: In submitting a more minute report of
the affair of "Resaca de la Palma" have the
honor to state that early on the morning of the
9Th inst. the enemy who had encamped near
the field of battle of the day previous, was dis
covered moving by his left flank, evidently in
retreat, and perhaps at the same time to gain a
new position on the road to MatamoTas and
there again resist our advance.
ordered the supply train TO be strongly
packed at its position, and left with it four pie
ces of artillery--the two l6-pounders which
had done such good service on the previous day
and two l2-pounders which had not been IN
the action. The wounded officers and men
were at the same time sent back to Point lsa-
bel. then moved forward with the columns
to the edge of the clapparal or forest which
extends to the Rio Grand, a distance OF seven
miles The light companies of the LIST brigade,
under Capt G. 7. Smith, End artillery, and a
select detachment of light troops, the whole
under the command of Capt. Mccall, 4th in
fantry, were thrown forward into the chappa-
raj to feel the enemy and ascertain his position.
About three o'clock received a report from
the advance that the enemy was in position on
the road with at least two pieces of artillery.
The command was Immediately put in motion,
and about o'clock came up with Capt. Nc
Call, who reported the enemy in force in our
front, occupying ravine which intersects the
road and is skirted by thickets of dense chappa-
raj. Ridgeley's battery and the advance under
Capt. Mccall were at once thrown forward on
the road, and into the chapparal on either side,
while the 5th infantry and one wing Of the 4th,
was thrown into the forest on the left, and the
3rd and the other wing of the 5th, on the right
of the road. These corps were employed as
skirmishers to cover the battery and engage
the Mexican infantry. Capt. McCall's COM
mand became at once engaged with the enemy,
while the light artillery, though in very en-
posed position, did great execution. The enc
my had at least eight pieces Of artillery, and
maintained an incessant fire upon our advance
The action now became general, and al
though the enemy's infantry gave way before
the steady fire and resistless progress of our
own, yet his artillery was still i'll position to
check our advance-several pieces occupying
the pass across the ravine which he had chosen
for his position. Perceiving that no decisive
advantage could be gained until this artillery
was slenced, | ordered Capt. May to charge
the batteries with his squadron of Dragons
This was CALAMITY and ettectaally executed,
the enemy was driven from his guns, and
General La Vega, who remained alone at
one of the batteries, was taken prisoner
The squadron, which suffered much in this
charge, not being Immediately supported by in
fantry, could not retain possession OF the artl-
lery taken, but it was completely silenced. In
the meantime the sth infantry had been order
ed up and had become warmly engaged on the
right of the road. This regiment and part OF
the 9Th were now ordered to charge the bate
res; which was handsomely done, and the enc
my entirely driven from his artillery and his
position on the left Of the road.
The light companies of the lst brigade and
! the Sd and 4th regiments of infantry had been
deployed on the right of the road, where, at va
! rious points, they became briskly engaged with