Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-19
BATTLES on the Rsio Grande
0rF1CIAL REPORTS.
(coNcLuDED.)

REPORT OF CAPT. MCCALL TO GEN
TAYLOR.
CAMP NEAR MArAMoRAs, May Is, 1886.
Sir: On The 9Th instant in obedience 10 your
orders, | marched from Palo Alto, the battle
ground OF The Slh, with The advance" (consis-
ting OF go men,) 10 follow and observe The
movements Of the enemy on The roaie 10 Maia
moras directed Capt. G. F. Smith "a arhi,c'
Ty with The light companies of The Isl brigade
10 move on the RICH, Of the road, While adVanc'
ed with the detachment composed Of artillery ano
infantry on The left Cant. Walker, of The Tex
as Rangers. with a small detachment OF ,noun
led men, was ordered 10 examine The road ~
'front.' and Lieut.. Pleason,on, 81 dragons, WIN
a few dragons, marched in rear OF The columns
of infantry
Having followed The trail of the enemy about
two and half miles, through The chaPPorai,
prisoner was taken on The edge OF me Jackass
prairie, and one of The enemy killed oy Cap
Walkers men on the pfairie.
Having examined The opposite side, Capt walk
er reported The road clear; when desiring to pro-
cure definite information as TO the position OF the
enemy, pushed him forward INFO the chappofal,
(wihin supporting distance, and one or TWO par
lies OF from three 10 six were seen IN the brush,
one OF which, mounted party. was hred upon oy
my right hankers. On reaching the open ground
a; La Resaca dc Ia Palma, the head at my CO.
hmm received three rounds Of canister shot from
a masked battery which killed one private anG
wouned Two Sefgeants on The left oil the ROAD, anu
made nv men take cover They rallied howeV.
er, handsomely, within forty or fity PAGES. !
now broush, Capt. Smiths detachment TO The
left OF the road, proposing 10 attack by 1ank
movement what supposed TO be only The rear
guard OF the retiring army and sent Lieut. NC
Gown, with two men, TO recall Lieut. Dobblns
who. with few men, had depoyed 10 The left
where he killed one or two OF the enemy VINO
showed themselves in his front. On the return oil
Lieut., Dobbns will Lieut. McCown, The former
renored large body OF troops In motion on our
left. and al he same time some 'ancers were oo-
served in The road in front. Being now satisfied
that the Mexican army was in force in our front
dispatched three dragoons 10 inform you OF The
fact, and then moved my command 10 stronger
position 10 await your arrival.
On your arrival, Capt Smith was again order
ed 10 take The right olhe road while TOOK me lei,
with orders 10 bring the action and then flank me
enemy. Advancing about three hundred yalos
or more. TO the front and flank, | encountered The
right ofthe enemy's Infantry, and the action i'm
mediaely commenced They were strongly post
ed in the ravine, on The near side oil the ponu (ihe
principal line being on the opposite sde,) and in
addition 10 the fire OF musketry from both lines.
nv men were exposed to heavy discharges 81
canister from two field pieces in rear OF iheii
centre vet in short time The enemy were driven
from their right towards the road, and my men
followed with a hearty cheer. In following them,
however soon found that uur own batteries were
sweeping my front and, their fire being kept up J
made flank movement on the road, and here |
al once became engaged with the enemy occupy
ing the pond on the leit Of the road As soon as
their fire ceased This poini lrecrossed the roao
10 regain my former position on The right flank OF
t.f., lnf han anna
mixed in with the 5th regiment of infantry; they
united with that regiment and charged with it -
Lieut.. Pitcher, of the 9Th regiment, was OF the
number. continued 10 advance on The Left ollhe
5th regiment and was soon engaged With par
ofthe regiment the Tampico Guards. They
received several destructive fires from my men,
and then retired | should mention, that, during
this interval, Lieut.. MCGOWAN, having been $.
para,ed from me, joined The 9Th in an,Ty, ana
charged with them. My command continued 10
move forward on The enemy's right with more "
less interruption (inseparabe from bush lghi,)
until the close OF The battle.
Capt. Smith being separated from me, was
not an eyewitness 10 The individual conduct Of
himself and officers but | enclose herewith his
report made 10 me this day.
Inthal part of ms command where was in per-
son, every officer and man did his duty most hand
someiy | received every assistance from the
good conduct Of Lieuis. Dobbins. McCown,
Wainwright and Pitcher. Lieu;s. D., w. and
P. used their own rifles and guns with good Ct!
fec! against The enemy, and everywhere inspired
the men with confidence ard eageruess 10 engage.
The loss sustained b. the advance on the 9ih
Nav was six killed AMI fourteen wonnicd.
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully, your
obedent servant, GEO. \ MCCALL,
Capt. ilh Infantry, commanding the advance.
rant w w g bliss
Adiutanl General Army of Occupation.