Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-06-12

his Artillery. which, however, fell short,
but in a few minutes took effect. Our
guns were soon put in battery. and return
ed his fire with vapidity, until darkness
put an end to the carnage.
In about 80 minutes after the action
commenced, the enemy's Cavalry (moslly
Lancers, with three guns, attempted to
turn our right flank and fall upon our rear.
The 5th Infantry and two guns from Ring
COLDS Battery were sent to repulse this at
tack, which they did in gallant manner
with musketry and canister shot, sending
the Lancers back al flying pace, scith-
out firing shot, although they were
heard to load their guns.
Being incumbered by our wagon train,
and opposed by three times our own num-
bers, we could not, with safety, charge
the enemy with our Infantry without ex-
posing our supplies to an attack in rear,
consequently the whole of this action, for
four hours, was fought by the Artillery
alone. Ohe short attack Of the 5th Infantry
excepted.) The burning of the Prairie
caused by the blazes from our guns, hid
the enemy from Our view for about 80
Misunderstanding which there was cessa-
ton of the cannonading, but it was soon
discovered that he had again drawn up his
line nearly at right angles with the origi-
nal one. Our guns again Numbered at
him, which he replied to with spirit and
mnch accuracy, and continued until night
, drew her sable mantle over the scene. We
: encamped, in order of battle, on portion
: of the ground occupied By The enemy in
the moraing-he having fallen back two
) or three miles into the Chaparral.
We had three officers wounded, one
(Major RinggoldD MORALLY, one very Sc
verely, and one slightly, and four men
n killed total killed and wounded about 60.
/. The loss of the enemy could not be accu-
S rately ascertained, but we buried nearly
200 of their dead the following morning.
Their loss in killed and wounded is bellev-
a ed to be about 400.
e The above is glance at the I" Battle Of
T Palo Alto" On the morning of the 9th
our line of battle was again formed, wher
l. we discovered the enemy drawn up, two
r miles from us, at the edge of the Chapar
l. raj, with front more than mile longe,
y than IL appeared the day before. A conn
a. Gil of war was called to decide whether WI
should ight the enemy at once, at the rlsl
J. of our supplies, or entrench camp TO
&c their protection, and then fight him. |
h was determined to fight first, and we &C
cordingiy advanced, but soon discovered
ic the enemy was defiling by his left flank a
1e long the narrow road towards Fort Brown
80 80 Our column was formed and followed hin
" about 7 miles, when we come upon hi
n advance strongly posted in ravine cover
lie ed by thick Chaparral bushes, and to b
- approached only by tits narrow road tbro
rs this ,hicket. The Infantry in front wa
IT, halted and the Horse Artillery battery, Qat
n Ringgold's) was carried forward 10 ope
a the attack upon the Mexican guns, whic
il were strongly posted, blocking up the roat
at This battery was moved forward very S
~ lently until within 200 yards Of the enc
ne my, and when he opened with his Who'll
~ ~ battery our guns were soon in battery, an
CHI after repeated discharges of grape he fe
up back precipitately INTO the ravine. o.
ur Light Infantry opene! its fire at the sam
' no moment with this battery, on both sides
"a the road, and continued to move lorwaI
,g, gradualIy-the enemy falling back until
1c- reached the ravine, when he attempted
make bold stand-the action had bee
holly contested for abou, 40 minutes, wht
: Simultaneous charge of Cavalry al
( Infantry was ordered to capture the en-
} my's guns, which was promptly and mob
ln- executed. Captain May. at the head of h
he squadron of DRAGONS, and Col. McIntos
nd with his regiment, Qhe 5lh Infantry wi
nd portion of the 9Th, charged the enemy
rs, guns at run, sweeping all before ther
lie and capturing several officers, among
nd which was Gen. De la Vega, who sure
dered his sword to Capt. May,) and
he the enemy's Artillery, amounting to nj
of guns. A small battery of three guns b
sa longing to the Lancers was not in this a
va ton. At this moment our second bate
var of Artillery (Capt. Duncan's came up, al
II, both batteries then crossed the "Resaca
be- la Palma" at a gallop, and pursued Il
te enemy to Fort Brown, Or rather dro
il him in all directions from the road leadiI
US. to that Fort. In this movement our bait
o. ries were strongly supported by battali'
ted of Light Infantry and squadron Of Dr.
on goons-the Infantry following us closel
ce. though we were at a gaiiop most of Il
urs way-halting repeatedly and securing Il
he thickets with canister shot.