Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-07-04


,hicke,s Of dense chapparel Ridgely's battery
and the advance under Captain M'Csll were al
once thrown forward on the rnad, aud into the |
chsppsrel on either side, while the 9Th infantry
and one wing Of the 4,h was thrown into the
fores. on the lef,, and the Sd and the wing Of
the 4,h on the rgh, Of the road. These corps
were employed as skirmishers to cover the hat
terry and engage the Mexican infantry. Capt
M'Calps command became at once engaged
with the enemy, while the light artillery,
though in very exposed postum, did great cx.
ecuticn. The enemy had at least eight pieces
Of artillery, and maintained an incessant fire
upon our advance.
The action now became general. and although
the enemy's infantry gave way before the s,ea.
dy FIRE and resistless progressOf our own, his
artillery was still in position tn check our I'D.
vance.-sevcrn pieces occupying the pass across
the ravine which he had chosen for his position
Perceivng that no decisive advantages could
be gained until this artillery was silenccd, or.
dered Capt. May to charge the batteries with
and efIec,ually executed, the army was driven
from his guns and Gen la Vegs, who remain.
ed alone at one OF the batteries, was taken pri.
soner. The squadron, which suffered much in
this charge, not being Immediately supported
by infantry, could not retain possession Of the
artillery taken, but il was completely silenced.
In the mean time the S,h infantry had been or.
dered up and had become wsrmly engaged on
the right of the road. This regiment and a
part Of the 5th were now ordered to charge the
batteries, which was handsomely done, and the
enemy entirely driven from his artillery and
his position on the lett Of the road
Sd and 4th regiments Of infantry had been deploy.
ed on the right Of the road, where, at various
points, they became briskly engaged with the
enemy. A small party, under Captain Buchan-
an and Lieuts. Wood and Hays, 18th infantry,
composed chiefly ofmen Of that regiment, drove
the enemy from breast.work which he occu.
pied, and captured piece Of artillery. An at.
tempt TO recover this piece was repelled by CAP.
tain Barbour, Sd infantry. The enemy was at
last completely driven from his position on the
| right Of the road, and retreated precipitateiy.
leaving baggage Of every description. The ith
infantry took possession ofa camp where the
head quarters Of the Mexican eral.in.chief
were established. All his official correspondence
was captured at this place.
The artillery battalion excepting the flank
companiesl had been ordered to guard the bag
gage train, which was packed some distance in
rear. The battalion was now o, ,dercd up 10 pur
sue the enemy, and with the Sd infantry, Capt
Ker's dragons, and Capt. Duncan's battery, fol.
lowed him rapidly TO the river, making num-
Der OF prisoners. Great numbers of the enemy
were drowned in attempting to cross the river
near the town. The corps last mentioned en-
camped near the river-the remainder Of the ar
my on the field of battle.
The strength of our marching force on this das
as exhibited in the annexed field report, was II.
officers, and 2,O49 men-aggregate 2,222. Tn,
actual number engaged with the enemy did no
exceed ZOO. Our loss was three officers killes
} and twelve wounded ihirty.six men killed. an,
seventy.one wounded. Among the officers xii
'.'' nov" ~ ."e ''', - -,e.., i"e.' .
- .,r,. III. u. M y ~ Il" " ~ .".,s. .oo
-, -. o. ., -. ay ;.,., CO.,
..,n. os,h. s,h ;,e.,,,v .., hl.w;.. 49,.
,bsi, death !, N. ,h;,l.., of the eyht The or
s.s,. wou,dsa ws,. I;s,,s,.,, Cc,oo., p,v,s
Inspector General; Lieniensnt Dobbihs, Sd in
.ot,v .dv,nc. slightly. I;.utsnan, Colo,s
M,Iutosb, 5th infantry, twice severely; Cant
Hooe, 5,h infantry, severely, fright arm sine,