American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-15
FICIAL ACCOUNTS
OF THE
VO BATTLES,
ON THE RIO GRANDE

Re omclal accounts OF the Two paltIeS on III
rande, between the American and Mexi
snies, which were communicated to boil
of Congress, by the President, on Fri
I'VE give below the dispatches Of Gen
!, at length, with the reports of severa
einate officers, all of which possess pecu
aerest to every American reader:
GEN. TAYLoR's DISPATCHES.
ApeUARTERs ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
sDamp near Matamoras, May l6, 1916.
have now the honor 10 submit more
I'D report of the action Of the 9Th inst.
main body Of the army of occupation
lied, under my immediate orders, from
Isabel, on the evening Of the 7th Of
Rand biYouacked seven miles from that
march was resumed the following morn
About noon, when our advance Of cav.
ad reached the water-hole of "Palo
the Mexican troops were reported in
,pnt, and were soon discovered occupy.
Z road in force. | ordered a halt upon
ng the wafer, with view 10 rest and
b the men, and form deliberately OH
battle. The Mexican line was now
y visible across the prairie, and about
iQuarters of mile distant. Their left,
was composed of heavy force of cav
occupied the road, resting upon thioket
apparal, while masses Of infantry were
cred in succession Oh the right, greatly
8 mbering our own force.
e line Of battle was now formed in the
Tying order, commencing on the extreme
9Th infantry, commanded by Lieut.. Col.
tosh; Major Ringgold's artillery; 81 in
commanded by Captain L. N. Morris;
lS-pounders, commanded by Lieut..
chill, Sd artillery; 4th infantry, com.
ed by Major G. w. Allen; the Sd and
PIGMENTS, composed the 30 brigade, I'm.
0mmaRd Of Lieut.. Col. Garland; and all
Dove corps, together with two squadrons
Eagoons under Captains Kerr and May
Iosed the right wing, under the orders Of
Twiggs. The left was formed by the
Zion Of artillery commanded by Lieut.
s Childs, Capt. Duncan's light artillery
ihe 6th infantry, under Captain Mont
Efry-all forming the LIST brigade, under
hand of Lieut.. Col. Belknap. The train
backed near the water, under direction Of
aims Crosman and Myers, and protected
&Japt. Kerr's squadron.
two o'clock we took up the march BY
5 Of columns, in the direction of the enc
1.-THE Is FOUNDER battery following the
d While the columns were advancing
1t. Blake, Typographical engineers, volun'
$%d reconnaissance of the enemy's line
ID was handsomely performed, and result
a the discovery Of at least two batteries Of
%aery 10 the intervals Of their cavalry and
&btry. These batteries were soon opened
b US; when | ordered the columns halted
pdeployed into line, and the FIRE to be re-
ed by all our artillery. The 9th infantry,
Bur extreme left, was thrown back to Sc
that flank. The first fires of the enemy
Eiittle execution, while our Is FOUNDERS
lNajor Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed
Eeavalry, which formed his left Captain
lcan's battery, thrown forward in advance
be line, was doing good execution at this
n. Capt. Mays squadron was now detach'
% support that battery, and the left of ouI
ktion. The Mexican cavalry, with two
FEES of artillery, were now reported to be
Eting through the chapparal to our right, &c
;aten that flank, or make demonstration
ESnst the train. The 5th infantry was i'm.
Eaiately detached to check this movement
supported by Lit, Ridgely, with section
Major Ringgold's battery and Capt Walk
company of volunteers efectually repuls
Eihe enemy--the 9Th infantry repelling {
arge of lancers, and the artillery doing grea
rcution in their ranks. The Sd infantr!
II now detached to the right as still fur
III security 10 that flank, yet threatened b.
enemy, Major Ringgold, with the remain
II section, kept up his fire from an advanced
Ei,ion and was supported BY the 18th infan
| Fhe grass of the prairie had been acciden
| y fred by our artillery, and the volumes o
.bke now partially concealed the armie
20 each other. AS the enemy's left haC
Identity been driven back and left the roat
IL, as the cannonade had been suspended,
lerej forward the IL Founders on the roac
trly 10 the position first occupied by tn
Iixican cavalry, and caused the LIST brigad'
take up a new position still on the left o
u 10 FOUNDER battery. The 5th was advanc
from its former position and occupied
int on the extreme right of the new line
he enemy made change of position cores
nding to our own, and after suspension o
Iarly an hour the action was resumed.
The fire of The artillery was now most des
were constantly mad
rough the enemy's ranks by our fire, and tn
Tnstancy with which the Mexican infantr,
stained this severe cannonading was them
universal remark and admiration. Capt
AVS squadron was detached to make de
,onstation on the left of the enemy's position
Id suffered severely from the fire of artiller.
which it was for some time exposed. Th
III infantry which had been ordered to sup
5rt the Is FOUNDER battery, was exposed to
Eost CALLING fire of artillery, by which seye
Ii men were killed and Capt. Page danger
dsly wounded. The enemy's fire was dl
ected against our IS FOUNDER battery an
be guns under Major Ringgold 10 its vicinity
rhe Major himself, while coolly directIn
be FIRE of his pieces, was struck by canno
all and MORALLY wounded.
In the meantime the battalion Of artiller
nder Lieut. Col. Chids had been brought u
B support the artillery on our right. A stron
smonstration Of cavalry was now made
le enemy against this part Of our line, an
ne column continued TO advance under