Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-07-30

gwen Dy an oihcer engaged In the action,
and addressed to the New Orleans Delta,
under date of Point Isabel, May 20. 1.
is the only cool and apparently careful
account Of the engagement that we have
seen.
On the morning Of the 9th the sun rose
bright and clear. and with the first drum
our hardy soldisry sprung from their bed
upon the naked prairie, and even, before
par.aking of their soldiers meal of hard
bread, small piece of salt pork and a
cup OF cold water, cast an anxious, hope
ful eye towards the chaparral in their
front. along which the enemy had en-
camped. and when the straning eye
could discern amid the gray Of the morn.
ing the enemy's line, a glow of exulta-
ton filled the cheeks of every one, from
our brave and heroic General TO the
lowest private in our ranks.
The first care of our General was to
visit the wounded and see that every
comfort was supplied-the constant and
we'll directed energies of the medical de.
par.ment left but little for him to do,
every one, whether officer or soldier, had
been attended with unwearying care and
watchfulness. The troops having parta.
ken Of their meal the order was given TO
get the command under arms. General
Taylor here summoned council of war,
composed Of the heads of the several
commands, in all thirteen excluding the
COMMANDMENT. Chief. The General after
returning thanks for their support and
bravery on the Sth, and wished TO be
advised as to what they thought bes. to be
done, called on each to give his opinion.
1t was then aseertained that but four out
OF thirteen were in favor of going ahead,
the other officers composing the council
voted, some to entrench were they were
and await the assistance of the volun.
teers, and others TO retire a, once to Point
Isabel. but the general said II aciH be at
Fort Brown before night if I Hve.'-
Those who voted for going ahead, as
they watched the coun,enance Of the
General, might have seen the smile of
appreciation that lighted the old mans
honest face at the moment, though he
bowed with respect to the opinions Of
these who differed from him.
| The command at this time was under
arms and the advance sounded. The
Mexicans at this momen. were arranged
along the edge of the chaparral in no very
regular line. and so soon as we commenc
ed our movement they retired into the
chaparral and we lost sight of them.
Gen. Taylor advanced his line close up
to the pond on which the Mexicans left
rested the day before; here he halted to
organize his forces for an advance, well
knowing tina. the Mexicans had merely
retrealed to the Resaca de la Palma, a
point evident to every one at which a
desperate stand could be made.
Before despatching the advance guard
a reconnoitering party was thrown for
ward into the chaparral. 1t. Duncan
with his battery being thrown forward on
our left, discovered large quantity OF
ammunition on the field and secured it.
The accommodating party under Capt.
ker left no bush unsearched, and discov.
cred numerous large graves in which the
Mexicans had buried their dead on the
nigh! before. but no enemy was TO be seen
Gen Taylor then gave orders to Capts
Mccall. of the Sd Inf, and Smith, Isl
Art, to select, at their option. 400 men
as an advanced guard, and to select such
officers as they though; proper, from thu
whole command. The command coult
not have fallen into ADLER hands: Mccall
had distinguished himself by his indefat
gable exertlons on a scout sometime be
fore; and Smith led the charge at the
Colorado. Among the officers selected
by them, were Its. Dobbins and Meow
an, two Of the best woodsmen in the army
and who can hit dollar at one hundred
yards without trying very hard. Thei,
orders were to go for,0ard, and that thu
General would follow. The main body
was then organized, land body of arliIler,
under Duncan, the 9Th infantry, unde
Belknap, and the artillery Brigade, Col
Childs, were thrown forward to the chap
arral. Gen. Taylor then ordered III
company wagons forward, and ordere,
1t Churchill to throw up entrenchment
where the main pack of wagons was the
established, and place his Is FOUNDER
and some long twelves that were in tn
wagons, in the works; and defend tn
train, should it be attacked.
AT this moment it was that the gallan
Blake received the shot from the acciden
tai discharge Of his pistol-of whicl
wound he died on the same day. In tn
death Of Capt. Blake, the army sustaine,
great loss A more gallant and accom-
plished officer could not be found in GU
ranks.
The wounded were carefully placed il
wagons, and sen, 10 Point Isabel.
Nothing Of consequence transpired 70
several hours, when message arrive
from Capt. Mccall, then four miles ahea
of the main body, tina. he had been free
on from 6 FOUNDER, on debouchin
. from the ehaparral on to Jackass Prairie
This had no effect on Gen. TAYLOR, o,he
than to quicken his go-ahead character
; and he pushed on. On arriving at tn
edge Of the prairie, no enemy was to b
seen. Capt. Mccall had entered tn
second chaparral, and was about one mil
ahead
II