Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-05-05

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rapid and welldirected shots from Cap
lWashington's battery. In the rneantim
I the enemy was concentratinga large fore
|of iafantry and cavalry under covero Of th
ridges with the Obvious inteniion Of forcin,
our left. which was posted Oh on extensiv,
plateau The I'd Indiana and I'd Illinois
regiments formed this part Of our line, tht
former covering three pieces Of ligh
artillery, under the orders Capt. O'Brier
-Brigadier General Lane being in the
immediate command In order to bring
his men within effective range, General
Lane ordered the artillery and I'd indiana
regiment forward. The artillery advanced
within musket range of a heavy body o.
Mexican infantry, and was served agains
it with great effect, but without being able
to check its advance. The infantry order.
ed to its support had fallen back in disorder,
being exposed, as well as the battery, not
only to severe fire of small arms from
the front, but also to a murderous cross fire
Of grape and canister from q Mexican
battery on the left. Captain O'Brien found
it impossible for him to retain his position
without support, but was only able TO draw
two Of his pieces, all the horses and can
noneers Of the third piece being killed or
disabled. The ID Indiana regiment, which
had fallen back as stated, could not be
rallied, and took no further part In the
action, except handful Of men, who,
under its ga!lan: Colonel Bowles, joined the
Mississippi regiment, and did good service,
and those fugitives who, ut a later period
in the day, assisted in defending the train
and depot at Buena Vista. This portion
of our line having given way, and the
enemy appearing in overwhelming force
against our left flank, the light troops which
had rendered such good service on the
mountain, were compelled to withdraw
which they did, for the most part, in gooe
order. Many, however, were not rallied
until they reached the depot at Buena Vista,
to the defence Of which they afterwards
contributed. %
Col. Bissol's regiment, (2d Illinois, (which
had been joined by a section Of Captain
Sherman's battery, had become completely
outaanked, and was compelled to fall back
being entirely unsupported. The enemy
was now pouring masses of infantry and
cavalry along the base of the mountain on
our left, and was gaining our rear in great
force. At this moment, | arrived upon the
field. The Mississippi regiment had been
directed to the left before reaching the po-
stion, and Immediately came into action
agains. the Mexican infantry which had
turned our flank. The ID Kentucky regi-
ment and section Of artillery under Capt.
Bragg, had previously been ordered from
the right to reinforce our left, ana arrived
at most opportune moment. That regi
ment, and portion Of the 1st Illinois, un
der Capt Hardin, gallantly drove the enc
my, and recoverel q portion Of the groune
we had lost. Tho batteries of Captains
Sherman and Bragg were in position or
the plateau, and did much execution, no
only in front, but particularly upon th'
masses who had gained our rear. Discov
oring that the enemy was heavily pressing
upon the Mississippi regiment, the third In
fantry regiment, under Col. Lane, wa
despatched to strengthen that part of ou
line, which formed crotchet perpendicula
to the first limo Of battle. At the sam
time Lieut.. Kilburn, with piece Of Capt
Bragg's battery, was directed to support til
infantry there engaged. The action wa
!, for long time warmly sustained at thc
point-the enemy making several effort
both with infantry and cavalry against ou
r line, and being always repulsed with heav
loss. y had placed all the regular cavalr
t and Capt. Pixies squadron Of Arkansa
s horse under the orders Of Brevet Lieu
f Col. MAY, with directions to hold in chec
f the enemy's column, still advancing to Ii
h rear along the base Of the mountain, whic
s was done in conjunction with the..kentuck
), and Arkansas cavalry under Coils. Mo
d shall and Yell. In the meantime our lei
n which was still strongly threatened by
). superior force, wus further strengthened b
a the detachment Of Capt. Bragg's, and
d portion of Capt, Shertnan's batteries,
IS that quarter. The concentration Of arti
d lery fire upon the masses Of tho enenl
!, along the base Of the mountain, and II
0 determined resistance offered by the tw
3 regiments opposed to them, had create
confusion in their ranks, and some Of tt
!, corps attempted to effect q retreat upoo
It their main line Of battle The squadro
: Of the lst dragons, under Lieut. Rucke
Q was now ordered up the deep ravine whic
n these retreating corps were endeavoring
|. cross, in order to charge and disperse then
y The squadron proceeded to the point inc
i. ca;ed, but could not accomplish tho objec
d being exposed to heavy fire from a bait
+ ~ established to cover the retreat Of tho
d corps. While the squadron was detach'
i. on this service, large body Of the ener
n was observed to concentrate to our Q
j, |treme left, apparently with the view
|. making descent upon the hacienda
" Busna vists, WHARF our train and baggai