Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-06-13

ton, and left with il four pieces of arey-lhe two 49,
pounder which had done such good service the previous
day. and two IL pounders which had been in the action
The wounded officers and men the time sent
back TO Point Isabel then moved forward with the CO.
umns to the edge OF the chapara forest which extends to
the Rio Grande, distance Of m les The light com
panes of the first brigade under Captain O. T. Smith, second
artillery, and select detachment Of light troops, the whole
under the command Of Captain Mccall four infantry were
thrown forward into the chapaa TO feel the enemy and
ascertain his position About O'Clock, received report
from the advance that the enemy position the road,
with at least two pieces of artillery. The command
medately put in notion and about o'clock up with
Captain Mccall, who reported the enemy in force in our
'front.' occupying which inersecs the road and is
skred by hickets OF dense chapara Rdgeys battery, and
the advance under Captain Mccall thrown for
ward the road AMI into the Chapana either de while
the fifth infantry and wing of the fourth thrown into
the forest the left aud the third and the other wing Of the
fourth the right of the road These cops employed
skrmshes the battery and enguge the Mexican
infantry, Captain McCals command became at
gagged with the enemy, while the light artillery though in
very exposed pcson did great execution The enemy had
at least eight pieces OF artillery and maintained cessant
fire upon advance
The action became general and although the enemy
infantry gave way before the steady fire and esstess pro-
gess Of our own, yet his artillery still in position to
check advancesevera occupying the pass
the rayne which he had chosen for his position. Perceyy
that decisive advantage could be gained until this artillery
sienced ordered Captain May charge the battery
with his squadron Of Dragons This gaany and elec
General La Vega, who remained alone al Of the batteries
taken prisoner The squadron, which suffered muchin
this charge, not being Immediately supported by nianty
could retain possession of the artillery aken but il
completely senced In the time the eighth infantry
had been ordered up and had become warmly engaged the
right Of the road r regiment and part of the fifth
ordered charge the batteries which handsomely
done and the enemy entirely driven from his artillery and his
position on the left of the road.
The light companies of the first brigade and the third and
fourth regiments OF infantry had been dpoyed the right Of
the road when, at various points, they became bisky
ed with the enemy small party under Captain Buchanan
and Leuenants Wood and Hays fourth infantry composed
chiefly of of that regiment, drove the enemy from
breastwok which he occupied and captured piece of a
ey An attempt to this piece repuscd by Cap
tain Barbours third infantry. The enemy at last
pleey driven from his position the right Of the road and
retreated pecptaey, leaving baggage of every description
The fourth infantry took possession of camp where the
headquarters of the Mexican Genealn- Chief esab
shed. All his official correspondence captured at this
place.
The artillery battalion (exceptng the flank compaies) had
been ordered guard the which parked
some distance in That battalion ordered up
to pursue the enemy and, with the I'D Infantry Capt kers
Dragons, and Capt Duncans battery followed him rapidly
the river making number of prisoners Great numbers
OF the enemy drowned in attempting to the
the town. The corps last mentioned encamped near the
riverhe remainder of the army the field of battle
The strength of our marching force this day, exhibit
ed in the annexed field report, l73 officers and 2049
men-aggregate 2,222 The actual number engaged with
III
killed, thry-six killed and seventyone wounded
Among the officers killed have report the loss of Lieut.
lnge, I'd dragoons who fell the head of his platoon while
CALAMITY charging the encmys battery of Lieut. Cochrane,
of the 9TH, and Lieut. Chadhoume, of the Sth nanty, who
likewise met their death in the thickes of the fight The
off ers wounded Lieut. COL Payne inspector general,
Lieut. Dobbins Cd infantry, serving with the light infantry
advance slightly Lieut. Col Mcintosh, 5th infantry,
y, twice. Capt Hooe, 5th infantry, severely, fright
amputated y Lieut. Fowler, 9Th infantry slightly
Capt Montgomery, 9Th infantry, slightly Leus Gates and
Jordan, 9Th infantry severely (each twice } Leus Seen,
Maclay, Burbank, and Morris, sh infantry, slightly
have data from which estimate the enemys
force this day. He known have been reinforced after
the action OF the 9Th, both by cavalry ahd infantry, and no
doubt to extent at least equal to his loss that day. 1t
probable that 6 900 opposed US and in po
son chosen by themselves and strongly defended with ale
ry The enemy's loss very great. Nearly 200 of his
dead buried by the days succeeding the battle
His loss in killed and wounded and missing, in the a
fairs of the sth and 9th, think, moderately estimated at
900 men.
Our victory has been decisive small force has
immense odds of the best troops that Mexico furnish
veteran regiments perfectly equipped and appointed Eight
pieces of artillery several coos and standards great number
of prisoners, including fourteen officers, and large amount
OF baggage and public property have fallen into hands
The Of victory doubtless to be found in the upe
ror quality of our officers and have already in for
reports paid general tribute the admirable conduct Of
the troops both days becomes my Duty and feel
it to be of great delicacy, notice individuals ln
field that of the Sh, and in the dense
where most OF the action OF the 9Th fought could not
possibly be witness than small portion Of the opera
ons Of the various corps and must therefore depend upon
the reports Of subordinate commanders which respectfully
enclose herewith
Col. Twggs the second in command, particularly
active on both days. in executing my orders and directing the
operations of the right wing Lieut. Col Mcintosh, com
mandng the 5th infantry Lieut. Col Garland, commanding
the third brigade Lieut. Col Bclknap, commanding the lt
brigade Lieut.. Col Chlds commanding the artillery bat
talon Major Allen; Caps L. n. Morris and Montgomery,
commanding respectively the 4h, Sd, and sth regiments of
Infantry Jealous in the performance OF their duties and
examples to their commands of cool and fearless
duct. Lieut. Col Mcintosh rcpulsed with his regiment
charge Of anccs in the action of Pao Ao and shared with
in the honos and dangers OF the following day, being twice
severely wounded Lieut. Col Belknap headed charge Of
the 9Th infantry, which resulted in driving the enemy from his
guns and leaving possession Of that part of the field
Captain Duncan and Lieut. Rdgcy deserve special notice
for the gallant and efficient in which they manoeuvred
and served their batteries The impression made by Captain
Duncans battery upon the extreme right of the enemys line
at the affair of Palo Alto contributed largely to the result of
the day; while the terrible fire kept up by Lieut. Rdgey III
the affair Of the 9th inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy
The FOUNDER battery which played conspicuous part in
the action Of the sh, admirably served by Lieutenant
Churchill, Sd artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Wood Topo
graphical engineers The charge of cavalry against the
mys batteries the 9th CALAMITY led by Captain May
and had complete Captain Mccall, 4th infantry,
rendered distinguished with the advanced corps under
his orders Its loss in killed and wounded will show how
closely ii engaged may take this occasion say that
~ two former instances Captain Mccall has rendered vaua
BILE service partisan officer In this connexion would
mention the services of Captain Walker of the Texas ran
gers who in both affairs with his company and who has
performed very mertorous services spy and partisan
must beg leave 10 refer to the reports of subordinate
tho