The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-06
HEADQUARTERS Bar. Mo LIGHT ARTILLERY,
Camp near Chihuahua, Mexico March . lsi


SIR have the honor 10 report that agreeably your
instructions, lelt camp, near lauz on the morning o
the 2sh ult, accompanied by my allutant, Lieut. L. D.
Walker, and commissioned staff. and proceeded in
advance TO position commanding full view of the
emys camp and entertainments, situated about four miles
distant From this point the enemy discovered TO be
in force awaiting approach having occupied the ridge
and neighboring heights about Sacramento. Upon
nation it discovered that his entertainments and re-
doubts occupied the brow OF an elevation extending
the ridge, betweea the Arroyo Seco and that OF
Sacramento, both OF which, AT this point the val
ley, from the elevated ridge of mountains in the Of
the village of Teeon, known by the name of Sierra de
Veterans and that of -- on the east, ana through
which runs the Rio del Nombre de Dies This valleyis
about four miles in width, and enrenched by the enemy
entirely across, from mountain TO mountain the road
to the city of Chihuahua running directly through its
centre and of necessity passing near to and crossing the
Rio Sacramento at the rancho Sacramento, strongly
built and fortified house, with adjoining corras and other
enclosures belonging Angel Tas, the governor of Chr
huahua. From observation it ascerained that the
enemy had occupied the site between these bills and
that the batteries upon them supported by in
fanry, his cavalry being in advance positions,
formed into three columns between the Arroyo Seco and
our advance, During these observations the enemys
advance guard discovered my partyapproached rapidly
with the evident intention OF niercepting it; but being
met by that of our troops which had sent forward, it
rapidly retreated at this tme ALSO the three columns
of the enemys cavalry recrosse1 the Arroyo Seco, AMI
retired behind their entertainments. then approached
within six hundred yards of their most advanced e1oubt
from which point the enemys formation was plainly
discerDibe. The entertainments consisted of line,
with intervals composed OF circular reloubts, from
three hundred to five hundred yarl intervals, with
entertainments between each covering batteries part
y masked by cavalry. The redoubt nearest TO my po-
siton contained two pieces of cannon, supported by
several hundred infantry The enemvs right and ei;
strongly posoned-the Cerro Friioes on his right
having high, precpiious SIDES with redoubt command
ing the surrounding country and the pass leading towards
Chihuahua through Arroyo Seco.
The Cerro Sacramento his left, consisting of pile
of immense volcanic rocks, was surmouned by battle
~ commanding the main road TO Chihuahua, leading di-
ecty in front of the enemys entertainments crossing the
Rio Sacramento at the rancho, directly under its fire. and
also commanding the road from Terreon Immediately in
its rear The crossing OF the main road the Arroyo
Seco at the point from which my reconnaissance was
made laid directly under the fire of the batteries on the
enemys right which rendered it necessary to ascertain
the practicabty ofa route distant from the enemys
entertainments The passage found TO be praciica.
BILE with little labor, and point selected the best
for the passage OF the artillery and wagon and merchant
trains
The whole front of the enemys line of entertainments
appeared 10 be about two miles, and his force 1900 men:
the artillery being masked the number and caber of his
cannon could not be estimated Further have the hen
or to report that the battalion of artillery under my com
mand composed OF ITO and officers, with battery
of six pieces of artillery, the morning Of the bat
nan between the columns OF merchant and provision
wagons, being thus masked from the view OF the enemy in
this column my troops continued the march TO within about
500 yards OF the enemys most advanced position Our
direction then changed TO the right andthe column,
having crossed the Arroyo Seco within reach of the
enemy. fire. rapidly advanced towards the table land be-