Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-08
VOL. Ii.
Battle of ResaCa de. la Palma, May 9.
HFaD-UUARTERs ARMY OF OCCUPATION. }
Camp near Fort Brown, Texas,
May II, 1916.

May II, 1916.
SIR-In submitting more minute re-
port of the affair of "Resaca de la Palma"
/ 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 LETT flank, evidently in retreat, and
perhaps at the same time gain "A new po-
siliun on the road to Matamoras, and there
again resist our advance.
! ordered the supply train to be strongly
packed at lis position, and left with it tour
pieces of arlitery-the two lSPounders
which had done such good service on the
previous day, and two l2pounders 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 Grandc, a distance of seven miles.
The light companies of the lst brigade,
under Capt. &. F. Smith, ID artillery, and
a select detachment OF light troops the
whole under the command Of Capt Nc
Cali, 4lh infantry, were thrown forward
into the chaparral to feel the enemy and
ascertain his position. About 3 o'clock |
received report from the advance that
the enemy was IN position on the road
with at least two pieces Of artillery. The
command was Immediately put in motion,
and at about 1 o'clock came up with Capt.
Mccall, who reported the enemy IN force
IN our front, occupying rayine which in
tcTsCcls the road aud is skirted by lhickets
Of dense ChaParraI. Rid2eIy's battery and
the adyance 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 9TH, was
thrown into the forest on the left, and the
Sd and the other wing of the -4th, on the
right Of the road. These corps were EN-
p.oyed as strmishcrs to cover the battery
ana engage the Mexican infantry. Capt
McCul's Command became at once enga-
ged with the enemy, while the light artiI-
iery, though in a very exposed position,
did great execution. The enemy had at
least S pieces Of artillery, and maintained
an ncessant fire upon our advance.
The action now became general, and
although the enemy's infantry gave way
before the steady fire and resislless pro-
gress Of our own, yet his artillery was still
IN position to check our aGvanCe-severaI
pieces occupying the pass across the ra-
vine which be had chosen for his position.
PeIcei,ing that no decisive advantage
could he gained until this artillery was 81
fenced, | ordered Capt. May to charge the
batteries with his squadron of dragoons.-
l.. q, I
ted, the enemy was driven from has guns,
and Gen. La Vega, who remained alone at
one If 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
pictely siienced. la The meantime the Sth
infantry had been ordered up and become
warmly engaged on the right of the road.
This regiment and a part of the 9th were
now ordered to charge the batteries; which
was handsomely done, and the enemy en-.
tirely driven from his artillery and his pc.
stion on the lett Of the road.
The light companies Of the lst brigade
and the 81 and 4lh regiments of infantry
had been depoyed on the right of the road
where, at various points, they became brisk
~ engaged with the enemy. A small
party under Capt Buchanan and LIeuts
Wood and Hays, All infantry, composed
chiefly of men OF that regiment, drove tht
enemy from a breaslwork which he occu
pied, and captured piece of artillery
An attempt to recover this piece was re
PEELED By Capt. Barbour, Sd infantry. The
enemy was at last completely driven from
bis position on the right Of the road, an
rctreared precipilately, leaving baggage Q
every description. The 4Ih infantry tool
possession Of camp where the head-quar
tiers OF the Mexican general-in-c chief wer
established. All his official correspon
dence was captured at this place.
The artillery battalion excepting tn
flank companles) had been ordered !
guard the baggage train, which was pack
ed some distance in rear. That battalo
was now ordered up to pursue the enemy
and with the 81 infantry, Capt. Ker'S dra
goons, and Capt. Duncan's battery, TO
lowed him rapidly TO the river, making
number OF prisoners. Great numbers
the enemy were drowned in attempting t
cross the river near the town. The corr
last mentioned encamped near the river
the remainder OF the army on the field {
battle.
The strength Of our marching force O
his day. was I73 officers, and 2,049 me
-ouorepate 2,222. The actual numbc
enuaoed with the enemy did not excee
170O7 Oar loss was 8 officers killed al