Washington telegraph., 1847-05-05

ordered by ten. Taylor 10 iall back Il
town and aid in defending it against NJ
anticipated attack in the rear, aud to take
with him his pisHe q artillery. This wa
accordingly dune. aud thus We were with
drawn from the led Tot The day. Return
in to town we found the lofl on the bill
near lhe town, and overlooking it, occupied
by Capt Webster, with bis battery of two
p FOUNDER haWilzersi . companies of the
Mississippi regiment on the crest Of the
hill' and MAJ. Warren, with Two companies
i from each oil the Illinois regiments, in town.
occupying the church aaj the alher build,
ings adjoining the plaza.
Reaching tho hill above the town, we
saw Minon with his cavalry, deliling down
the narrow pass, east Of tho town, from
Palomns Adenlio, into the plain. We
marched Immediately in, the men we're dis.
mounted aud placed in aud upon houses,
aal the cannon posted so as 10 command
laur streets running out Of the plaza; and
- wo awaited tho enemy. Bat he did
nothing more during the day than TO ma.
aelgHa in the plain, about four miles from
u, whore be was joined by about 800
manniel raneheros.
soon after We reached town the reports
ufGanB1n anl mnskelry reached our ears.
Idn McAcags opencd the battle by firing
a tsw Hhe'lB al our lines, and then, making
n attack on tie RIGHT or centre, except hy
a heavy body u troops which ihey moved
laWn the rad, aai which Nashingon's
battery Immediately r,pulsel. they sent
laat regiments o. l.geros, or IigLl troops.
Ia azeupy lhe zpaH OF the high mlun,ain
OF orr left. u oppose these, MAJ. Cor.
nan OF Lanes lniIana rgimeul. with four
aaaHln.cs, II !. Trail, OF u Illinois regi.
maaG wli tasaa companies oi fi!lamgn oi
Ih4l regiment aal Col Raans. with the
Kentucky AMI kfsaals r.llemeB, who were
aI#Haunlcl llf taal purpose, wefa sent upon
parallel s,ua. But BY some mistake the
enemy were peInIiielto occupy the highest
nnF aui lee a warm lire was kept up
during llg O. llHa ei tie day. without any
alaeg mlgrmeulun ailhci side. Tho heavy
eaIleys OF tho MasIaans, iifr1 with hugo
eh4rga. of powder, wcrc distinctly heard
b. Us, and mistaken lor cannon. This fir.
IN eeasius, til lfoops rested IN their arms.
To McIcaas slaYcd, aud uufs ate hard
bfeal aud raw bacon. NlanY men were
slain in this skirmish, and The whole side
o the mountain lha, night glillered with
smll, fires, for the men ON both sides had
in Ihe eager fray climbed high upon the
PERCEPTIONS spuIs oi the bills.
A. dusk Gen. Taylor returned to tho bin
above town, with the Mississippi regiment
aud Mays squadron, Ninnu's troops en-.
camnej within four miles from town, on
the pllomas road. aad remained quiet
Our men mounted the tops Of tie houses
and were ready for night attack; and tho
p'ckcls went and came all night. One,
consisting d. q Sergeant. Sergeant Baker,
OF Capt. pvs,uu's company entered Nj.
noa's camp, ani escaped without being oh.
served. 20, wa,ehiully and in anxiety We
passed tue might, those who slept doing
so wiki s4bres buek.cd on and carbne in
hand.
On tie morning Of tho 23l we feared
that we should be sill detained in the town.
An order directing the Captain TO march
out anl report 10 Gen. Taylor, was hailed
with acCamlNpn. "llJo,s and saddles
sounded, the men mounted 10 hot haste,
. pIaioom wcro counted oll, and the squadron
marched out rejoicing. When ye reached
7 Gen. TayIor's camp We found him cheer.
iu. aud oven merry. llc said to tho Cap.
tain, "Well, Captain, want you 10 60 10
I ilIona Vista with me 10 DAY, to DO some
/ lghling;" aud Immediately moved oil, nc.
cumpanel by Col. Mays squadron and
ours, Lieut. kIlbom's piece Of artillery,
McCulIough's company Of rangers, and all
the Mississippi regiment except two com.
pan.rs, which were lett on tic hill. with
ono piceo u aHili0y under Lieut., Shower.
These, with Capt. WobHeF's battery aud
Maj. Warren's four companies remained 10
defend the town.
Ca tho morning Of the 23l Santa An.
ma, plan wa, early developed. It was
10 tum oar .eil flank, aud then, Mnon aid.
ing, 10 attack our rear Oar troops were
disposed as follows! Behind the assault.
ment on the road, Washingion's battery,
and TWO companies oi the first Illinois reg.
imenl The remaining six companies ol
/ ls, Illinois, on tho ridge above Washing.
ton po,ilion---aboHt a bali a mile to their
left, lying behind the crest Ol the ridge. five
companies oil "a Illinois, anl Corners
Texas company. attached to tia, regiment,
3 orl hundred yards 10 their lcll, tbs 81
Indiana regiment, Col. Bowlcs-and still
luihcrto the len Licuts. O'Bden and Bry.
aul had three guns partly manned by llli.
uois volunteers, one Of which was a MeAi.
can piece obtained in Texas. sherman's
battery was in rear Of the 2dj Illinois
tho 81 Indiana infantry, Col. Lane, was
retired and held In reserve, aud tho cavalry
pouion Of the Kentucky AMI Arkansas
lcgImrnIs, except Marhai.'s AMI Stones
companies and our squadron, was on tho
I luA rear, liu.o retired.