American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-25


participate in the assault upon Soldada--
which was carried in gallant style by the
forces under Scott, Miles, Blanchard and Hays,
who returned in time to share with fifty Of his
men in the first assault, and to take promi-
nent part in the second, the whole directed by
Gen. Smith.
At this point we secured another 9.pounder,
and immed arOly both pieces were brought to
bear upon the Bishops Palace, situated upon
and midway the southern slope of the hill In
dependencia, valley of only six hundred yards
intervening. We had now secured an impor-
tant advantage, and vet but half tho work was
done. The possession Of these heights only
made the more apparent tho controlling import
ance OF those opposite, and the necessity OF &C.
cupynT the palace. A violent storm ensued
and night closing in, operations Tor the day
ceased. The troops had now been thlrty-siX
hours without food, and constantly taxed to the
utmost physical exertions. Such as could be
permitted, slept with arms ia hand, subjected
to u pelting storm, and without covering, till 8
a.. M, when they were aroused TO carry the hill
independence.
Lieut.. Col. Chds was assigned to lead this
storming party, consisting OF three companies,
and G 4ih, and A Sd, (artillery batlalion;)
three companies 9Th infantry, CA, B, and d.
under Capt. Scriveu, with two hundred Texan
rnemen, under Col. Hays and Lieut.. Col
Walker, Captain of riEles,) acting i'll corpora
ton. The command moved at 8, conducted 10
its point of ascent by Capt. Sanders, military,
and Lieut.. Meade, Typographical engineers -
Favored by the weather, it reached by dawn Of
day within about one hundred yards of the
crest, in which position, among the clefts Of
rocks, body of the enemy had been stationed
the previous evening in apparent anticipation
Of attack. The enemy, retreating fire was in
effeCtual, and not returned until Coils Childa'
and Hays command had reachad within a few
yards OF the summit, when we'll directed and
destructive fire, followed by the bayonet of the
regullrs and rush of The Texans, placed us in
possession Of the work; the cannon having been
previously withdrawn, no impression could be
ma upon the MASSIVE walls of the palace or
its outworks without artillery, except at an enor-
nous sacrifice.
Lieut.. Roland, of Duncan's battery, was or
dered from the main camp wi b l2-pound
hOwilzei; aud in two hours, (aded by fifty men
from the line, under Capt. Sanders, military
engineers, for the purpose of selecting the route
least difficulty that enerprsing and gallant of.
ficer had his gun in position, having assembled
an ACTIVITY, as rugged as steep, between seven
and eight hundred feet in two hours. A fire
was Immediately. opened from the howitzer,
covered by the epaulement ofthe captured bat
terry, upon the palace and It's outworks--foul
hundred yards dlstant-and soon produced a
visible sensation.
Meanwhile, to reinforce the position, the 5th
Major Scott, and Blanchard's volunteers, had
been passed from the first heights, and reached
the second IN time to participate in the opera
tons against the palace.
After many affairs of light troops and several
feints, heavy sortie was made, sustained by a
strong corps Of cavalry, with desperate resolu-
ten; TO repossess the heights. Such move
had been anticipated and prepared for. Lieut..
Col ChildS had advanced, under cover, two
companies of light troops under command Of
Capt Vnton, acting major, and udciously
drawn up the main body of his command,
thanked on the right by Hays, and left by Wal
ker's Texans. The enemy advanced boldly,
was repused by one general discharge from all
arms, fled in confusion closely pressed by
Chlds and Hays, preceded by the light troops
under Vinton; and while they fled past our
troops entered the palace and fort. In few
moments the unpretendng flag of tho Union
had replaced the gaudy standard of Mexico
The captured guns--one sx-inch howitzer,
|
together with Duncan's and Mackall's field
batteries, which came up at galIop, were in
full and effective play upon the retiring and
confused masses that filled the street (of which
we had the prolongation) leading to the near,
est plaza, la capeLla, also crowded with troops
AT this moment the enemy's loss was heavy
The investment was now complete. Except
the force necessary to hold the positions on In.
| nria bp Tod N
points whence the shot could not be made ia
reach the great plaza,l the division was now
concentrated around the palace, and prepare.
| ton made to assault the city on the following
day, or sooner, should The general-in- chic
either so direct, or, before the communication
be had, renew the assault from the opposite
quarter. In the meantime attention was di.
rected to every provision our circumstances
permitted to alleviate the condition of oul
wounded soldiers and officers; to The decent in.
termeDt of the dead, net emitting in either re-
spect all that was due TO those of the enemy.
About 10 a. M. on the Esd, a heavy fire was
heard in the opposite quarter. Its magnitude
and continuance, as well as other circuinstan-
ces, did not permit doubt that the general
was conducting main attack; and that lis or
deFs for my cooperation (having to travel q
failed to reach me by means Of the numerous
cavalry of the enemy. Under these convic-
tions, the troops were instantly ordered to COM
mence an operation which, ifnot otherwise d.
rected, | had designed to execute in part, I'M
der favo: of the night Two columns of at
tack were organized, to move along the two
principal streets, leading from our position, in
direction Of the great plaza, composed of light
troops slightly extended, with orders to mask
the men whtsnever practicable; avoid those
points swept by the enemy's artillery; to press
on to the first plaza, Capella; to get hold Of the
ends of the streets beyond, then enter the build
ings, and my means of picks and bars break
through the longitudinal section OF the walls;
work from house to house, and, ascending to
the roofs, TO place themselves upon the same
hrno ct-ha mi tho o,,n ,nu init artilIntu