The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-04-17

When the word was given to charge,
the Mexicans raised a wild yell, which
g#as lansmsred back by three long and
,,deafening cheers from our square.
The Mexicans dashed on until they
arrived within seventy yards, when the
word was given TO fire. A destruc-
tive blaze issued from every side Of the
square, and many saddle was emptied,
and many a Mexican officer and SOL
der was seen to reel and tumble from
hishorss. Urea again fell back, caus-
ed his men 10 dismount, and opened a
heavy Ere upon us from the chapparal.
Col, Morgan sent Captain Latham for
ward with bis company, with orders to
dislodge them. The enemy again fall
ling back, the Colonel rode forward to
squadron ofthe enemy galloping across
lhe road for the position Of the enemy.
He observed a purpose Of forming in
our 'front.'. The officer commanding
The lancers CALAMITY wheeled his horse,
saluted the Colonel by touching his cap,
and then bcckoned him towards him.
The Colonel returned the salute, rode
back 10 the square, and ordered the
music to strike up "Yankee DoodIe.n
Our square was again put in action, and
we marched about hundred yards,
when a heavy but il-aimed FIRE was O.
pened from the chapparal. Out flag
was now unfurled, and for fifteen min
'utes the chapparal and the square blaz-
ed with a line of fire. Captain Graham,
Assistant Quartefmaster, was now kill
ed by q shot from the enemy: he fought
gallantly, and one moment before he
unhorsed a lancer. One or two Of our
men were also slightly wounded
Small parties were now detached, and
sent into the chapparal, and in twenty
minutes we had succeeded in driving
the enemy from both hanks, and from
our front to the rear. Throughout the
fight Major Wall displayed great cour-
age. In the early part Of the action
ball whizzed near his head, when the
old Major exclaimed, "Why, see how
damned careless they are: they would
Just as soon bit fellow as not" 1t
was nearly II o'clock: we had been
fighting four hours, and had marched
three miles during the fight. We were
now near San Francisco. One Of our
men stationed on the top of a wag on,
10 observe the movements ofthe enemy
reported that infantry and artillery
were approaching, and he thought
that they were Mexicans. Colonel
Morgan Immediately called halt, and
informed Captain Siefert thathe wished
him to select fifty picked men, and to
await orders to charge upon the bat
terry. In three minutes fifty volunteers
were under the command Of Captain
Siefert and Lieutenant Armstrong, and
the Colonel was on the point Of mas
king a division in the chapparal. and
ordering charge upon the battery,
when, to our great Joy, we recognized
our own glorious comrades rushing 10
our assistance. Stewart came as he
went, in a gallop, and Lieut.. Col. Irwin,
with his commad, enkincled with joy
and enthusiasm, galIoped forward at
the head of his column; he brought
with him l5O effective men and two
six-pounders, one under command OF
Capt. Crane. Col. Morgan sent Lieut..
Col. IRWIN, with the field pieces and
his infantry, to take up position five
yards to the left of our rear,
commanding the position occupied by
The enemy. The fight recommended
with great energy, but the destructive
FIRE from the artillery, and the well di.
rected aim Of the infantry, soon drove
the enemy from their last position, and
they retreated with precipitation. Be-
fore the arrival Of Lieut.. Col. Irwin with
his Sd men, our fighting force was 200;
The reinforcement increased the strengh
10 $50. Twins command consisted
Of detachments of three Ohio and two
Kentucky companies, ,allof whom fought
with great courage. The loss Of the
snemy in killed and wounded, as is re-
ported by Texian Ranger who passed
over the ground after the battle, is 60
or 70, among whom were several Off
GERS; our total loss was four or FIVE,
two killed and three wounded; one of
The wounded since dead. A detach-
nent Of about hundred and fifty men
Of our regiment are at Camargo under
Captains REYNOLDS and Conipe and
Lieut.. Markland. They will join us on
The FIRST opportunity. All the non
;ombatants, as they are usually called,
lhe musicians, the surgeon, assistant
and all the hospital attendants,
wsre armed for the fight, as well as
their professional duties proper. We
ipd that our men should be able to turn
heir hands to any thing in this country.