Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-05-22
commenced also; our Ares proved effective ct this

distance, killing fifteen men, wounding and disa.
bling one OF The enemies guns. We had Two
men slightly wounded and several horses and
mules killed. The enemy then slowly rereated
behind their works in some confusion, and we re
sumed our march in our former order, still diver.
ging more to The right 10 avoid their battery on
our left. (her right and their strongest redoubs,
which were on the left near where the road pass
es. After marching as far as we safely could,
without coming within range OF their heavy bat.
terry on our right. Capt. Weightman, Of the arlil
lery, was orde to charge with the Two IL pound
howizers, 10 be supported by the cavalry, under
GERS charged at speed, and were galanty sustain
ed by Capt Reid; but by some misunderstanding,
my order was not given 10 the other two compa
Mes Capt. Hudson, anlicipationg my order,
charged in time TO give ample support TO the
howlzers. Captain Parsons, at The same mo
ment. came to me and asked permission for his
company 10 charge the redoubs Immediately to
the left OF Capt. Weightman, which he did very
gallantly. The remainder of the Two battalions
Of the LIST regiment were dsmouned during the
cavalry charge, and followed rapidly on foot, and
Major Clarke advanced as last as practicable
with the remainder Of battery, we charged their
redoubts from right to left, with brisk and dead.
y fire OF riAemen, while Major Clarke opened
rapid and we'll directed fire on column Of caval.
ry attempting 10 pass TO our left so as 10 attack
the wagons and our rear. The fire was so we'll
directed as to force them TO fall back; and our
riAemen, with the cavalry and howiizers, cleared
after an obstinate resistance. Our forces advan.
ced TO the very brink Of their redoubts and at.
tackled them with their sabres. When the re.
doubts were cleared, and the batteries in the cen.
tire and our left were senced, the main battery
on our right still continued 10 pour in constant
and heavy fire, as it had done during The heat Of
the engagement; but as the whole fate Of the bat
tie depended upon carrying the redoubts and
centre battery, this one on the right remained un
attacked, and the enemy had rallied there FIVE
hundred strong,
Maj. Clarke was directed to commence heavy
fire upon it, while Lieuts. COL Mitchell and
Jackson, commanding the LIST battalion, were or.
left, while Maj. Gpin was directed 10 pass the
Cd battalion on foot up the rough ascent Of the
mountain on the opposite side. The fire OF our
battery was so effective as to completely silence
theirs, and the rapid advance OF our column put
them to flight over the mountains in great confu.
sion.
Capt. Thompson, Of the 1st dragons, acted
as my aid and adviser on the field during the
WUOlo cUgdSctUcUl, anu was W tilc iDOSt tSSeI
lial service TO me. Also, Lieut.. Wooster, OF the
ly. Major Campbell, OF Springfield, Missouri,
time, but left me and joined Capt Reid in his gal.
liant charge. Thus ended the battle OF Sacra
mento. The force OF the enemy was 200 cav.
airy from Durango and chihuahua with the Vera
Cruz dragons. and 1900 infantry fom Chihua
hua 300 altlerists. and 1,450 rancheros badly
ormed with lsssos, lances. and machcoes, or corr
knives. ten pieces Of artillery, 9 nine. 4 eight. q
T six. and 2 four-pounders, and six culverins Oh
rampant pieces. Their forces were commanded
4 by Major Gen. Hendea. general OF Durango
Chihuahua, Sonora and New Mexico Brig. Gen
Jestimani, Brig. Gen. Garcia Condo, formerly
minister Of wdr for the republic OF Mexico, who
is scientific man, and planned this whole felc
; OF defence; Gen. Uguerte, and Governor Tras
who acted as Brigadier General on the field, anc
colonies and other officers without number
Our force was 924 effective men; at leas. one
hundred OF whom were engaged in holding hor
ses and driving teams.
The loss Of the enemy was his entire artillery
10 wagons, masses Of beans and pinola. and 9th
er Mexican provisions. about three hundred kill
ed and about the same number wounded, many O
whom have since died, and forty prisoners.
The field was literally covered with the deat
and wounded from DIR artillery and the unerrine
fire ef our rifemen. Nisht put q stop to the car.
mage, and the battle having commenced about
o'clock. Our loss was one killed, one MORALLY
wounded, and seven so wounded as to recover
without any loss OF limbs. cannot speak toe
highly OF the GOODNESS, gallantry. and bravery o
the officers and men under my command.
was ably sustained by the field officers Lieut.
Coils. Mitchell and Jackson OF the first battalion
and Ma or Glpin. of the Cd battalion; and Mai.
Clarke and his artillery acted nobly and did the
most effective service in every part OF the field
1t is abundantly shown, in the charge made by
Capt. Weighman with the section of howitzer.
that they can be used in any charge OF cavalry
with great effect, Much has been sad and Justly
said, OF the gallanIy Of our artillery. unmber
ing within 260 yards OF the enemy at Palo Alto;
but how much more daring was the charge o.
Captain Weightman, when he unlimbered within
fifty yards of the redoubls of the enemy.
On the LIST day OF March we took formal pos
session Of the capital Of chihuahua in the name
of our Government. We were ordered by Gen.
Kearney 10 report to Gen. Wool at this place:
since our arrival, we hear he is OF SaltIlo, sur
rounded ny ,.. -nemy. Our present purpose is
either to force our way TO him. or return by Bex
ar. as our term Of service expires on the last day
Of May next. ....
i have the honor 10 he your obedient servant
A. w. DONIPHAN, Col. LIST Reet. Mo. Vol
Brig. Gen. R. JONES. Adj't Gen. U. S A.
We make the following extracts from q
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