The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-27


n breastwork which he occupied, and captur-
cd n piece ofartery, An attempt TO recover
this piece was repulsed 10y Capt. Burbour's
third infantry. The enemy was at last com
pletely driven from his position on tic right
ofthe road, and retreatod precipitately, leay-
ing baggage ofevery description. The fourth
infantry took possession Of n camp where the
headquarters of the Mexican General-in-
Chief were established. All his official cor
respondence was captured at this place.
The artillery battalion excepting the flank
companies) had been ordered 10 guard tie
baggage train, which was parked some dis
lance in rear. That battalion was now or
dercd up to pursue the enemy, and, with the
Sd infantry, Capt. Ker's Dragons, and Capt.
Duncau's battery, followed him rapidly 10
the river, making Il number of prisoners
Great numbers ofthe enemy were drowned
in attempting to cross the river near the town.
The corps last mentioned encamped near the
river-the remainder ofthc army on the field
of battle
The strength of our marching ioEce on this
day, as exhibited in the annexed field report,
was 173 officers and 2,049 men-aggrcgatc
1929. The actual number engaged with the
enemy did not exceed I 200. Our loss was
three officers killed. thirty-siX men killed and
seventyone wounded. Among the officers
killed have to report the loss of Lieut.. Ingc,
I'd Dragons, who fell at the head of his plat
Don while gallantly charging the enemys bat
terry; of Lieut.. Cochrane of the 4th,and Lieut..
Chadbourne, ofthe 9Th infantry, who likewise
met their death in the thickest ofthe fight
The officers wounded were Lieut.. Col. Payne
inspector genera, Lieut.. Dobbns,3d infautry,
serving with the light infantry advance, sliglr,
ly Lieut.. Col. Mcintosh, 9th infantry, severe
ly, twice; Capt. Hoe, 9Th infantry, severely,
fr,f
9Th infantry, slightly; Capt. Montgomery, Sth
infantry ghtly:Lieuts. Gates and Jordan.Stl
infantry, leach twcc;)Lieuts. Selden,
Malay, Burbank, and Morris, 9Th infantry,
slightly.
have no accurate data from which to es-
timate the encnIy's force on this day. He
is known to have been reinforced after the aC-
ton ofthe 9Th, both by cavalry and infantry,
and no doubt TO an extent at least equal 10 his
loss on that day. 1t is probable that COCO
meg were opposed to us, and IN a position
chosen by themselves, and strongly defend
ed with artillery. The oncmy's loss was very
great. Nearly 200 ofhis dead were buried by
us on the days succeeding the battlC His
loss, in killed and wounded and missing in
the two affairs of the 9Th and 9th, is, mink,
estimated at LOCO men.
Our victory has been decisive. A small
force has overcome immense odds of the best
troops that Mexico can furnish: veteran regi-
ments, perfectly equipped and appointed
Eight pieces ofartIIiery, several colors and
great number of prisoners, in
GLIDING fourteen officers, and large amount
nfbaggagc and public property have fallen
into our hands.
The causes of victory arc doubtless TO he
found in the superior quality of our officers
and men. have already, in former reports,
Daid general tribute TO the admirable con
luct ofthe troops on both days. II now be-
'omcs my duty, and feel it to he one OF
great delicacv, 10 notice individuals. In so
extensive field as that of the Sth, and in the
lensc cover where most of the action of the
)th was fought, could not possibly he wit
ness TO more than a small portion Of the opc-
'atiOns Of the various corps,and mast there
ore depend upon the reports OF subordinate
commanders, which ] respectfully enclose
herewith.
Col. Twiggs, the second in command was
particularly active on hoth days, in executing
ny orders and directing the operations OF
he right wing. Lieut.. Col. Mcintosh, cont
handing the 9Th infantry; ] icut. Col. Garland
the Sd brigade: Lieut.. Col. Bel
map, commanding the LIST brigade; Lieut..
col Chlds, commanding the artillery hattaI-
on; Major Allen, Capts. l. n. Norris and
commanding respectively lhC
It'll, sd and 9Th regiments of infantry, were
Jealous i'll the performance of their duties,
nd gave examples to their commands ofcooi
nd fearless conduct. Lieut.. Col. Mcintosh
epulsed, with his regiment, a charge of Ian
ers in the acton of Palo Alto, and shared
With it in the honors and dangers ofthe fol-
owing day, beingtwice severely wounded
lent Col, lSelknnp headed charge of tie
It'll infantry, which resulted in driving the
nemy from his guns, and leaving us in pos
ession of Il al part of the field.
. Capt. Duncan and Lieut.. Riagely deserve
pecial notice for tho gallant and cfIicient
manner in which they manGuvred and served
heir batteries. The, impression made by
Iapt. Dnncan's battery upon the extreme
light ofthe enemy's line at the affair OF Palo
Alto contributed largely to the result of the
lay; while the terrible fire kept up by Lieut..
sidgey in the affair of the 9th inflicted heavy
osscs upon the enemy The I8 FOUNDER bat
cry, which played conspicuous part in the
ction ofthe 9Th, was admirably served by
4ieut Churchill, Sd artillery, assisted by
lieut. Wood, Typographical engineers
The charge of cavalry against the enemy's
arteries on the 9th was CALAMITY led by Capt.
lay, and had complete success. Capt. Nc
1all, 4th infantry, rendered distinguished ser
ice with the advanced corps under his or
ers Its loss in killed and wounded will
how how closely it WINS engaged. | may take
his occasion to state that in two former In
tances Capt. Mccall has rendered valuable
erv;ce as partisan officer In this connec-
ion would mention the services of Capt.
Walker, of the Texas rangers, who was in
9th affairs with his company, and who has
very neritorious services as "A spy
nd partisan. ] must beg leaye to refer 10 the
eports ofsubordinate commanders for TIE
ames of many officers, non-conmissidned
Ulcers and privates, who were distinguished