The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-21
THE DAILY UNION

| less exposed position There is possibility that
the work might have been carried, but not without
excessive oss and il carried, feel assured IL would
| have been untenable, m
| Accordingly, the division, under General Hamer,
on whom deyolyed the command, moved to a new
position the captured fort and within sustain
ing distance Of our field batteries on the left The
troops remained in and this position, and under
fire Of the enemy's batteries until late 10 the day.
For the details of the after proceedings Of the day,
refer TO Gen. Hamer's report. . fe N
IL is with no little pride and qualification that
| bear testimony OF the gallantry and general good
conduct OF my command. Were proof wanting, a
mOurnful one is to be found IN the subjcined return
Of the casualties Of the day. That part Of my dyi-
son properly in the field did not exceed eleven hun
dred, Of which number full one-hfth killed OF
wounded The fact that troops for the first time
under fire should have suffered such loss, without
! shrinking, in continuous struggle Of more than
| two hours, and mainly against sheltered and mac,
cessibe foe finds but few parallels, and is Of itself
| an eulogium to which need not add. That there
| were some more prominent for skill and galantry
| than others, even in a contest where all were
brave, there be no doubt: and | leave to
those better qualified from their situations than my
self the pleasing though delicate task of reporting
| upon their respective merits
or my brigaders, however, il il proper that
| should myself speak Gen. Hamer placed in
situation where nothing brilliant could be aehiev-
ed, but which at every moment imperatiyely de-
manded prudence and calm, unbendlng courage Ii
is but justice to him to say that found him equal
| to the emergency.
Gen. Quitman had before him a field in which
military genius and skill called into requis-
ton and honors could be fairly won, and but echo
the general voice in saying that he nobly awaited
himself Of the occasion.
| My special thanks due to Maj. L. Thomas,
assistant adjuant general; Gen. A, Sidney John
ston, of Texas, acting inspector general, and Lieut.
q. w. Lay, aid-de-camp, who not only displayed
great gaantry and GOODNESS, but, by their profess
sional skill, activity, and energy, rendered valuable
service throughout the action. After my withdraw
al, they remained with the troops in the field.
| Surgeon r. p. Hunt, my volunteer aid.de-camp,
also evinoed great coolness and conveyed promptly
the orders conhded to him.
| On my way back to camp found the Kentucky
regiment, under command Of Col. Ormsby, drawn
up in fine order TO repel threatened charge from
| large body Of Mexican cavalry then in view.
proper, they occupied a most important position,
and had two men wounded in defending it,
| make mention Of the movements Of Capt.
Webster's howitzer battery, which was withdrawn
from my division and placed under charge of the
| chief Of artillery.
Enclosed are the reports Of Brig. Generals Hamer
and Quitman Of the operations Of their respective
brgades; also, statement in detail of the loss sus-
tanned by the division.
am, sir, very respectfully,
| Your obedient servant,
w. o. BUTLER,
MAJ. Gen. Comd'g Field Div. Vol.
Maj. W. w. 8. Bliss,
Asst. Adit General,
Headquarters Army Of Occupation,
Monterey, Mexico.