The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-16


count of the battles of the 9Th and 9th
May, in which our gallant Army won
for themselves imperishable renown, will
be read with deep and thrilling interest.
1t is from the pen Of a heroic officer who
nobly bore his full share of the duties and
dangers of the trying occasion.
CAMP OPPOSITE MATAMoRAs,l
May l3, 1916.
On the lst Of May the Army under
Gen. Taylor took up its line of march at
3 o'clock, p NJ. for Point Isabel, thirty
miles distant, in order to force up from
that point provisions which were necessa-
" to the maintenance of our fort here
To defend It in our absence General Tay-
lor left the 7th Regiment Of Infantry,
Bragg's battery of four six Founders,
Capt. Lowds battery of four eighteen
Founders and some canvalescents as a
garrison-the whole under the command
of Major Brown of the Army. We had
heard of the crossing of six or seven
thousand of the enemy to oppose our
march to our Depot, and expected to fight
them going down-but did not meet with
them. On the 2dinstant. in the afternoon,
we reached Point Isabel, and on the 3rd
heard the bombardment of our Fort at
this place. This bombardment continu-
ed at intervals for several days. In the
meantime, Gen. TAYLOR, having learned
bv express from Major BRowN that he
could hold the Fort, put his whole COM
mand to work in the entertainments at
Point Isabel, the basis of our operations,
and having made it sufficiently strong and
loaded about three hundred wagons with
provisions and ammunition, he determin-
ed to proceed at once to the relief OF cur
gallant little band in this Fort, and to
give battle TO the enemy if necessary
He commenced his march at o'clock,
P. Nj. one squadron of Dragons, COM
manded by Capt. MAY, in front; the third
Brigade, composed of the Sd and 4th Re
giments of Infantry and RINGGoLD's slight
Artillery; the 9Th Infantry not Brigaded,
and the lst Brigade, composed of the Ar
tillery Battalion serving as Infantry; Dun
CANS Light Artillery and the sth Regi-
ment of Infantry-to which must be add
ed two eighteen Founders drawn by OK
en-, and Capt. Kerr's squadron of Dra-
goons protecting the rear-the wagons on
the march being in great degree inter-
spersed between the Brigades for greater
security.
On the night of the 7th we encamped
about IL miles from Point Isabel, without
seeing the enemy. On the 8th we had
advanced about FIVE miles, when we des-
cried the enemy some two miles distant
drawn up in great force on the open prai-
rie, and occupying the crest of very
gentle slope with their backs to the thick
bushes, called in this country "chapar-
ral."
We Immediately formed line to the
front, and advanced calmly and quietly
TO the attack. Our brave and considerate
old General, finding that the enemy wait.
ed to receive us, and that we were pass
ing near lake of water, the day being
very hot and the men thirsty, halted in
full view of the adversary and directed the
men to fill their canteens with water
We had now a little leisure to examine
the force of the enemy and its compost
ton. The horizon in our front and tc
the right appeared lined with cavalry
dancers and Dragoons.) The woods ii
their rear were giving up column afte
column of Infantry. which were man
euvred with great regularity; and batter
les Of Artillery were observed taking
their designated places in our front AM
oH our fanks. The lowest estimate a
The time Of the enemy's force was 5,OO'