Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-17

repulsed by Captain Barbours third infantry. The
enemy last completely driven from HE position
the right OF the road. and rerea,ed precpate leaving
OF camp where the head OF the Mex
Gencal-in Chief were established. All his official
correspondence was captured this place.
The artillery battalion (cxceptng the flank compsnies
had been ordered to guard the baggage ain which
parked some distance Ia That battalion
dered up to pursue the enemy and with the I'd infantry
Capt ker's dragons, and Capt Dunesns battery, follow
ed him rapidly TO the river making number OF prisoners
Great numbers OF the drowned IN attempting
the river near the town. The last mentioned
cncamped near the rvc-thc remainder OF the army the
field OF battle.
The strength OF our marching force on this day. as
hbited IN the annexed field report 13 officers and
20t0 mcn-asgregatc 222. The actual number engsg-
cd with the enemy did not exceed 100. Our loss
three officers killed. thirty ak killed and seventy
wounded. Among the officers killed have report the
loss OF Lieut. ngc, 2d drsgoon who fell tho head OF
his platoon while calamity charging the enemys battery
ot Lieut. Cochranc OF the 18th, and Lieut. Chadbourne, OF
the Sh infantry who likewise their death in the thick
of the fight. The officers wounded were Lieutenant
Colonel Payne. inspector general Lieut. Dobbins, I'd in
iantry serving with the light infantry advance. slightly
Lieut.. Col MeIntosh 5th infantry, severely twice; Capt
Hooo. 9Th ntanty. severely (right smpuatedD
Lieut. Fowler. Sth inisntry slightly Capt Montgomery
9Th Infantry slightly Leuts Gates and Jordan, 9Th inan-
Try, severely, leach twce Lieuts. Seden, Maclsy, Bur
bank, and Morris, Sth infantry. slightly.
have data from which estimate the
force this day. lie is known have been rein
forced after the action Of the 9Th, both by cavalry and in
antry and doubt 20 least equal his loss
and in position chosen by themselves and strong
" defended with artillery. The cnemys loss very
great Nearly 200 ot his dead buried by the
days succeeding the battle. His loss. killed and wound
ed and missing, in the affairs OF the Sh and 9Ih
think. moderately estimated at 900 men.
Our victory has been decisive. small force has
immense odds OF the best troops that Mexico
furnh regiments perfectly equipped and appoint.
cd. Eight pieces OF artillery several coors aud Standards
great number OF prisoners including fourteen officers,
and large amount OF baggage and public property have
fallen into our hands.
The causes OF victory doubtless be found in the
superior quality Of officers and have already
in former reports, paid general tribute the amirabe
conduct OF the troops both days. 1t becomes my
Duty and feel to be OF great dcicacy. notice in
dyiduas. In extensive field that OF the Sth. and
in the dense where of the action OF the 9th
fought could not possibly be witness than n small
portion of the various corps and therefore depend
upon the reports OF subordinate commanders, which
spectfuly enclose herewith
Col. Twigg., the second in command was particularly
active both days, IN executing orders and directing
the operations OF the right wing Lieut.. Col Mcintosh
commanding the 5th infantry; Lieut. Col. Garland, COM
handing the third brigade; Lieut. Col Beknap, command
ing the ls brigade; Lieut. Col. Childs, commanding
artillery batahon MAJOR Allen; Capts. L. N. Mouis and
Monts omery, commanding respectively the 4h, 3D. and
9Th regiments ofniany jealous in the performance
OF their duties, and examples TO their Commands of
cool aud fearless conduct Lieut.. Col Mcintosh repused
with his regiment charge Ut ancers in the action Palo
Alto. and shared with il in the honos and dangers OF the
following day, being twice severely wounded Lieut. Col.
Belknap headed charge OF the 9Th Infantry which result
ed in driving the enemy from his guns and leaving US in
possession OF that part OF the field.
Captain Duncan and Lieut. Rdgely deserve special no
tce for the gallant and efficient manner in which they
unuyed and served their batteries The impression made
by Captain Duncan's battery upon the eXtemc night of
the enemy's line at the affair of Pao Alto contributed
largely the result OF the day while the terrible fire kept
up by Lieut.; Rdgely in the affair OF the 9th inflicted
heavy losses upon the enemy. The lSpounder battery,
which played conspicuous part the action of the Sth
admirably served by Lieutenant Churchill. Sd arl-
ery assisted by Lieut. Wood, Typographical engineers
The charge OF cavalry against the enemys batteries the
9Th was CALAMITY led by Captain May, and had complete
Captain Mccall, 4h infantry, rendered disiin-
gushed with the advanced corps under his orders
Its loss in killed and wounded will show how closely il
engaged may take this occasion 10 say that in two
former Instances Capt. Mccall has rendered valuable SER
vice partisan officer. In this would men
the services Of Capt Walker, of the Texan rangers
who both the affairs with his company. and who
has performed very merorious services spy and par
must beg leave refer 10 the reports of the SUI
bordnae commanders for the names OF many officers nom
commissioned officers, and pryates who distinguish
ed by good conduct both days Instances of individual
gaantry and personal conflict with the enemy were not
wanting the affair of the 9lh but find place in
general report. The officers serving the stats of the
different commanders particularly mentioned by them
derived efieien, aid both days from all the officers
OF my staff. Captain BisS, Assistant AdJusnt Generals
Lieut.. Colonel Payne Inspector General; Lieut. Eaton
4. ID. C.; Capt Waggamsn. Commssary of Subsistence
Lieut.. Scayit, Engineer, and Leuts Blake and Meade
Typographical Engineers promptly conveyed my orders
every part OF the ed. Lieut. Colonel Payne wound
ed in the affair OF the 9th, and have already had occasion
report the melancholy death OF Lieut. Blake by accident
IN the interval between the two agreements.
Major Craig snd LieuL Brereton OF the ordnance De
partmen actively engaged their appropriate duties
and Surgeon Craig, Medical Director, superintendent IN
person the ardous service Of the field hospitals. take
this occasion 10 mention generally the devotion duty Of
the medical sIaf oi the army who have been unrng in
their eSertons both in the field and in the hospitals
alleviate tho suferngs OF the wounded Of both armies
Captain CrOssman and Myers, OF the QuaTermasters De
parmen who had charge OF the heavy supply at both
engagements, conducted 1t satisfactory manner
and finally brought 1t up, without the smallest loss, to its
destination.
enclose inventory OF the Mexican property captur-
ed the field, and also sketch Of the field of Rosaca
de Ia Palma" and Of the from Point Isabel made by
my Ad-de-camp, Lieut. Eaton.
One regimenta color battalion of Tampicol and many
standards and guidons Of cavalry taken the affair OF
the 9Th would be pleased your instructions
the disposition to be made Of these trophies; whether
they thall be sent TO Washington, &c.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z.TAYLOR,
BTeost BTigddisr General u. s. A. Commanding.
The ADJuTANT GENERAL o the Army Washington II