Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-17
Battles on the Rio evr.
Reports FROM sr Cr oceUr,rIOS.
HEApA-NkAR MArANoRAs. MAY l6. lSlf

| now the honor submit a more detailed
| SIk 10 action Of the SIh instant
pr main body of the army Of occupation marched
der immediate orders from Point Isabel the
OF tho 9Th May, and bivouaeked miles from that
place.
Our march was resumed the following morning. About
noon when advance OF cavalry had reached the
hole OF "Pao Alto" the Mexican troops reported in
our 'front.' and discovered occupying the road I'm
force. ordered halt upon reaching the water with a
view and refresh the aud form deliberately
line Of battle. The Mexican line plainly visible
the prairie, aud about thrcr.quacrs OF a mile dis
tanL Their left, which composed OF heavy force Of
cavalry occupied the road resting upon hiekct OF chap
arra, while Of infantry discovered in
sion on the tight. greatly outnumberng own force.
Our line OF battle formed in the following
der commencing ON the extreme night: 5th infantry
msnded by Lieut. Colonel McInosh; MAJOR Rnggolds
ullery; 81 infantry, commanded by Captain L. NJ Morris;
lS-pounders, commanded by Lieut. Churchill 81 ar
tllery; 18th infantry, commanded by MAJOR c. w. Allen
the 81 aud 9TH regiments composed the third brigade under
command OF Lieutenant Colonel aand and all the above
corps together with squsdrons Of dasoon under Cap.
tans ker and May composed the right wing under the
ders OF Colonel Twggs. The left formed BY the
TALON Of artillery commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Childs
Captain Duncan's light artillery, and the Sh infantry
der Captain Montgomery all forming the rs; brig ade
der command OF Lieutenant Colonel Beknsp. The train
parked near the water under direction Of Captains
CTossmaa and Myers protected by Captain
About two o'clock we took up the march by heads
of columns the direction OF the enemy the Is FOUNDER
battery following the road. While the columns ad
yancing, Lieutenant Blake, Topogaphc Engineers vol
uneered rccognoissance OF the encmy's line which
omey performed and resulted in the discovery of
least two batteries OF artillery in the intervals Of their
vary and infantry. These batteries opened up
on us, when ordered the columns halted and deployed
into line and the IRE TO be returned by all artillery
Tue Sth infantry, extreme left, thrown back
that flank. The first tires OF the enemy did t
tie execution while Founders and Major Rnggolds
artillery dispersed the cavalry which formed his left
Captain Duncans battery thrown forward in advance OF the
line doing good execution this time. Capt. Mays
squadron detached support that battery and the
left OF position. The Mexican cavalry, with two
pieces OF artillery reported be moving through
the ehapaal right, threaten that flank make
demonstration against the train. The 5th infantry was
Immediately detached check this movement aud sup
ported by Lieutenant Ridgey, with section OF Major
Ringgoids battery and Captain Walkers company OF VOL
untecrs, cectualy rePuscd the enemythe 5th infantry
rcpeng charge OF lancers and the artillery doing great
execution in their ranks The third infantry now de-
tached 10 the right stl further security that flank
yet threatened by the enemy. Major Ringgold with the
remaining kept up his FIRE from advanced posi-
ton, and supported by the 9Th infantry.
The grass OF the prairie had been accidentally fired by
artillery, and the volumes OF smoke partially
ceaed the armies from each other. As the encmys left
had evidently been driven back and left the rosd free and
the eannonadc had been suspended ordered forward
the lSpoundes the road nearly the position first oc
cuped BY the Mexican cavalry and caused the fret
take position still the left OF the lS-pound
er battery The 9th was advanced from its former posi-
on and occupied point ON the extreme right of the
line. The enemy made change OF position correspond
ing own, and after suspension of nearly hour
the action resumed.
constantly made through the enemys ranks by our
fire. and constancy with which the Mexican infantry
sustained this severe canuonadc, theme of uniyer-
sal remark and admiration. Captain Mays squadron
detached to make demonstration the left Of the enc
my's position, and suffered severely from the fire Of art
lery, TO which it was for some time exposed.
The fourth infantry which had been ordered to
the lSPouuder battery, was exposed CALLING fire
of artillery, by which several killed and Captain
Page dangerously wounded The enemy's fire direc
ted against FOUNDER battery, and the guns under
Major RlnrpOld n The Major
cooy directing the fire Of his pieces, struck by can
non.ball and morally wounded.
/ In the time the battalion Of artillery under Lieut.
Col Chids had been brought up support the artillery
on night. strong demonstration OF cavalry was
made by the enemy against this part OF line and
the column continued advance under severe FIRE from
the lspounders. The battalion instantly formed in
square, and held ready receive the charge of cavalry
but when the advancing squadrons within close range
deadly tire OF canister from the le Founders dispersed
them. A brisk fire of small " no opened upon
the square, by which officer Lieut. Luther ID artle-
ry) slightly wounded but a well-dreced voey from
the front OF the square senced all further firing the
enemy in this quarter IL nearly dark aud the
action closed the right OF line, the enemy
having been completely driven back from his position and
| foiled in every attempt against our line.
While the above going forward on our right and
under eve, the enemy had made serious attempt
against the left OF line. Captain Duncan Instantly per
ceyed the movement, and, by the bold and brilliant
no-uyng OF his battery, completely Tepu.ed
efforts OF the enemy TO advance in force upon our
ei flank Supported in succession by the 9Th infantry and
by Capt kers squadron Ut dragons, he CALAMITY held
the enemy bay, and finally him, with immense
loss from the field The hero and along the whole
line continued until dark, when the enemy retired into
the chsparra in OF his position Our army bvouack
ed the ground 1t occupied During the afternoon the
train had been moved forward about half mile and was
| parked in rear Of the position.
Our loss this day nine killed. forty.four wounded
and missing. Among the wounded were Major Ring.
/ gold, who has since died, and Capt Page dangerously
wounded, Lieut.. Luther slightly annex tabular state.
| ment OF the casualties OF the day.
Our force engaged is shown by the field report
herewith have been III officers and ii men; aRgre.
gate 3255 The Mex can force according the statements
OF their officers taken prisoners the affair of the
9th. not less than 5000 regular troops with ten pieces
OF artillery, and probably exceeded that number-the IT.
regular force known. Their loss wa. not less than
200 killed and 400 wounded-probaby greater. TINS es-
innate very moderate. and formed upon the number &C
uay counted upon the field and upon reports Of their
| own officers.
As already reported in my first brief despatch the con-
duct Of our officers and every thing that could be
desired. Exposed for hours the scveresi a-a can
nOnade Of srtery-our troops displayed a GOODNESS and
consancy which gave throughout the Of vic
| tory.
purposey defer the mention Of individuals until my
report Of the acton Of the 9th when will endeayor To dc
justice the many instances Of distinguished conduct on
both days In the ;ime refer more minute details
| TO the reports Of individual commanders
am, sir, very respectfully your obodent servant
| Il. TAYLOR,
| BTeUet Brig. Gen. U. S. A. commanding.
| no Anrar ar (.r~F NJ ,br Ann