Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-19
REPORT OF CAPTAIN MAY.
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DRAUUOE OAMP, hEsAIA UF. la ALMA,
On the RatIle Ground. MAY 10 lSl

Sir: Having been detached from the headquar-
tiers of my regiment with my squadron and acting
under The immediate orders OF The commanding
general during the actions OF The Sih and 9th in
slant j, comes my duty 10 report The services
which the squadron had the honor 10 command
rendered during those actions.
You are aware lha, my first orders on the 9Th
we're 10 strengthen the left flank Of the army, ard
sustain Lieutenant Duncan's battery: in this po-
sitipn lost four horses killed and Two wounded
About hall an hour before sunset, received
orders 10 proceed 10 the enemy's left flank and
drive in his cavalry. In execution OF these or
ders, and while passing the General and his staff
the enemy concentrated The fire from their bate.
ries upon us, killing six Of my horses, and wound.
ing FIVE men, succeeded in gaining position
on The enemy's left with view of charging his
cavalry but found him in such force as 10 render
Intellectual a charge from my small command
and therefore returned, in obedience TO my in
>iruclions, 10 my first position, where rema ined
until The close Of the action, which terminated
very shortly afterwards Thus ended The service
of my squadron on the 9Th instant.
| On the morning OF the 9Th, my squadron was
actively employed in accommodating the chappo-
raj in advance OF the field OF the 9Th, and on the
| advance of The army took my position as The
advance quart. When about half mile from
the position which the enemy were reported 10
have taken, was ordered 10 halt, and allow the
artillery and infantry 10 pass, and await further
orders. remained in this position abou, three
quarters of an hour when | received orders 10
report with my squadron to the General. did
So, and was ordered hy The General 70 charge the
cnemy's batteries and drive them from their
pieces, which was rapidly executed, with loss Of
| Lieutenant irge seven priyairs, and eighteen
horses killed, and Sergeant Muley, nine riivales,
| ana ,en horses wounded Lieutenant Sacael and
Scream, Story, in The front b. my side, had their
| horses killed under them, ard Lieutenant Inse
was callantiy leading his platoon when he fell.
We charged entirely through The enemy's battle
RIGS OF seven picces-Caplain Graham accom-
panied by Lieulenans Winshp and Peasonon,
leading The charge against The pieces on the left OF
The road, and myself, accompanied by Lieulen.
ants Inge, Stevens and Sackett, those on the d.
rect road, and gained the rising ground on the
| opposite side OF the ravine The charge was
| made under heavy fire of The enemy's batteries,
which accounts Tor my great loss. After gaining
the rising ground in The rear, could rally hui six
| men, and with these charged their eunners, who
| had reeained their pieces, drove them of, and
tool, prisoner General Vega, whom found gal
antly fighting in person at his battery. IordcFei
him 10 surrender, and on recognising me as an OIL
fcer he handed me his sword.
/ brought him under heavy fire Of their in.
| ianiry TO our lines, accompanied by Lieutenant
Stevens and Sergeant OF my squadron. then
directed Lieutenant Stevens TO conduct him in
safety TO our rear and presented his sword TO the
Commanding General.
From this time until the enemy were routed, ]
was engaged in collecting my men, who bad be.
come scauered in our lines. succeeded in as.
sembling halt OF my squadron and joined the ar.
my in pursu, of The enemy, until he crossed the
Rio Grande, from which returned 10 camp.
cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise 81
the steadiness aud sallaniry Of the officers and
men Of my command. They all behaved will
that spirit Of courage and noble daring which
distinguished the whole army in this memorable
action and achieved the most brilliant victory d
the age.
nave the honor TO be, very respectfully your
obedient servant, c. A. MAY.
Capt. I'd dragons coming ID squadron.
Lieut.. McDoNALD, Adj't ID Dragons.