Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-08
VOL. Ii.
Battle of ReSaCa dc la Palma, May 9,
HEAD-QUARTERs ARMY OF OCCUPATION
Camp near Fort Brown, Texas,
NAV II. 1916.

Camp near Fort Brown, Texas,
May II, 1876.
SIR--ln submitting a more minute re.
port of the affair Of "Resaca de la Palma, y
have the honor to state that early in the
morning Of the 9th inst, the enemy who
had encamped near The field of battle OF
the day previous, was discovered moving
by his left flank, evidently in retreat, and
perhaps al The same time gain new po-
sliun on the road TO Malamoros, and there
again resist our advance.
ordered The supply train TO be strongly
packed at its position, and left with it iodr
pieces of artilery-the two lS-pounders
which had done such good service on the
previous day, and two Il. FOUNDERS which
had not been in the action. The wounded
officers and men were at the same time
sent back to Point Isabel. then moved
forward with the columns 10 the edge Of
the chapparal or forest which extends to
the Rio Grande, a distance Of seven miles
The light companies of the LIST brigade,
under Capt. G.. F. Smith, ID artillery, and
select detachment OF light troops the
whole under the command of Capt. Nc
Call, 4th infantry, were thrown forward
into the chaparraI 10 feel the enemy and
ascertain his position. About o'clock
received report from the advance that
the enemy was in position en- the road
with at least two pieces of artillery. The
command was Immediately put in motion,
and at about o'clock came up with Capt.
Mccall, who reported the enemy IN force
10 our front, occupying ravine which in.
torsecls the road and is skirled by thickets
Of dense chaparral. Ridgely' IS battery and
the advance under Capt Mccall, were at
once thrown forward on the road, and in
TO the chaparral on either side, with the
9Th infantry and one wing Of the 4th, was
thrown into the forest on the left, and the
I'd and the other wing of the 4th, on the
right Of the road. These corps we're en-
pioyed as skirmishcrs to cover the battery
and engage the Mexican infantry. Capt.
McCa's Command became at once enga-
ged with the enemy, while the light aril.
ley, though in a very exposed position,
did great execution. The enemy had al
least pieces Of artillery, and maintained
an lncessant fire upon our advance.
The action now became general, and
although the enemy's infantry gave way
before The steady fire and resislIess pro
gress OF our own, yet his artillery was still
in position to check our a6yance-severaI
pieces occupying the pass across the ra-
vine which he had chosen for his position,
Percei,ing that no decisive advantage
II n,pl1 La, ,5,,A all III,
enced, ordered Capt May to charge the
batteries with his squadron of dragoons.-
4 This was CALAMITY and eflectually eXecu-
led, the enemy was driven from his guns,
and Gen. La Vega, who remained alone at
one cf The batteries, was taken prisoner,
The squadron, which suffered much in this
charge, not being Immediately supported
by infantry, could not retain the possess.
sion Of the artillery taken, but it was com
4 peey siIenced. ln the meantime the 9Th
Infantry had been ordered up and become
warmly engaged on the right of the road.
4 This regiment and part of the 9Th were
now ordered TO charge the batteries which
was handsomely done, and the enemy en-.
A irely driven from his artillery and his pc.
sion on the lett Of The road.
n The light companies of the LIST brigade
and the Sd and 4th regiments of infantry
had been deployed on the right of the road,
n where, at various points, they became brisk
A y engaged with the enemy. A small
n party under Capt Buchanan and LIeuts.
Wood and Hays, 4h infantry, composed
chiefly Of men OF that regiment drove the
enemy from a breaslwork which he occu-
\ ped, and captured piece of artillery
Az ate mpl to recover this piece was re-
PEELED BY Capt. Barbour, 3D. infantry. The
enemy was at last completely driven from
disposition on The right of the road, and
lelreaed precipialeIy, leaving baggage Of
every description. The 4th infantry took
Possession Of camp where the head-quar-
lens of the Mexican general.in-ch were
eabshed. All his official corespon-
cence was captured at this place.
The artillery battalion excepting the
Ank companles) had been ordered 10
guard the baggage train, which was pack
e some distance in rear. That battalion
vas snow ordered up 10 pursue the enemy,
@l with the Sd infantry, Capt. Ker's dra-
G0ons, and Capt. Duncan's battery, fol-
"Sed him rapidly TO the river, making
Climber Of prisoners. Great numbers Of
ne enemy we're drowned in attempting to
coss Inc river near the town. The corps
@Genlioned encamped near the river
remainder Of the army on the field Of
battle.
N The strength Of our marching force on
@ day, was l73 officers, md 2049 men
aggregate 2,222. The actual number
sgaged with the enemy did not exceed
@w Our loss was officers killed and
Wounded; 80 men killed and 7 woun-
~ Among The officers killed, have to
tgIel The lnnu - Ir.rn Ol Lrn rnnne