The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-16
The Battle OF La TIoya.

Ssssssn port Of Sapai" samad Wskes s n conn.,
Wa s1s rsp q We yaieap s a gs"s,
1S47 ~
On the 10th June ls47 we had received notice at this
post Peroe castle that the Pass Of La Hoya about
miles distant. occupied by large body of guerIlas
in number about $780, who in wait for the train of
wagons under Cadwaader, which had been daily ex-
The large amount OF money and the extensive supply
OF ordnance and ammunition under convoy, were great
ENDORSEMENTS 70 an enemy bereft OF supplies Of almost
every nature, towards attempting capture and equally
great Inducements on our side to prevent it, Orders
issued by Colonel Wynkoop, OF the I'd Pennsylvania
volunteers, military governor of the department to sew
era companies of the abovenamed regiment and to Capt
Sam. Walkers company of mounted rfemen, to hold
themselves in readiness to march at early twilight
Ats O'clock M, started, taking the circuit of the
castle before issuing upon the road. We had started
few minutes before the five companies of infantry
amounting to about 300 men, who to take the direct
road while our company was to take wide circuit,
avoid being seen, and to endeavor to take in the
town of Las Vegas, about two miles from the Pass and
where it was understood the enemy had posted picket
prise, and, if possible, to take prisoners
For several hours continued our noiseless march
over the plains OF sand which for miles surround the
In about half hour we entered the town Of Las We
gas though not from the side we originally had intended
The numerous impediments we met, and the crcutous
path we had taken, having frustrated plans, pass
ed noselessy through the town. and had already left it
ha mile IN rear q us, when our ears Were greeted BY
dred yards distant On advancing, discovered at the
foot OF steep hill the infantry drawn up either side
ing his men, Walker advanced towards Col Wynkoop
for orders which were $50 advance" From this moment
dates the following report
Report or Captain Walker to Colonel f. M. Wynn
koop, Nj. q.
When ordered forward by you, at o'clock on the
morning Of the 2oh understood from you that you had
advance picket about 200 yards In this was disap
pointed had not advanced more than 100 yards before
was hailed by the enemy, who appeared about 40 in
number could not return, or delay moment to recon-
yours also, to rakng fire; and Immediately ordered
charge Inc enemy were completely routed, and fired in
but, unfortunately, we found curve in the road, while
we supposed It to be straight, and number Of
endorsed by the falling of our horses fence which
was not seen until we were upon it.
In this affair lost public horses which probably
fell into the hands Of the ,one Of them badly
private horse Richardson (musician) and Raborg in
terpree) slightly injured by the fall of their horses
On the same day, about o'clock, m, after leaving
you for the purpose OF watering my horses resolved
drive off the party of ancers who had appeared on the
hills on our night early in the morning. dsmounted
OF my men, and threw them out on my right and
ance made rapid retreat before we approached near
enough to engage them | then returned to the village
o. Las vegas having also taken two prisoners, whom
released, both being elderly men.
II Az about II O'Clock, a. M, while advancing upon La
h9ya with your permission. to feel the enemy and ascer-
tam their position and so forth, heard the firing of ar
hllery at the Pass. dsmounted some of nv men and
threw them out each side Of the road to avoid an
ouscade. When about two miles from the Pass we saw
about 90 Of the enemy on left sent forward few
men on ioot lot the purpose of bringing on an engage
ment II soon became apparent that the enemy had either
very considerable force, that they had feared the
consequences OF allowing the opportunity OF ATTACKING
them II rear. and they had almost entirely withdrawn
was fired, my skmishers pressed bv such over.
whelmng numbers TO force them retire within dis
lance of support and to give them defensibe pos
tion t
then ordered all my horses be tied under cover OF
old frame house. then put my men under cover OF
stone fence, and extended them sufficiently to the left
to prevent the enemy from Aanking Being emboldened
by their success in driving skrmishes they rushed
towards US in considerable numbers confident of victory
with shouts Of triumph, which were returned by shout:
OF dehance from my men. The moment most crit
camany OF my men had been under fire of an enc
my Beforehand nothing but my confidence in their heroic
valor and GOODNESS would have induced me TO remain
my position.
Al this moment ordered my men to take their sabre
from the fronts of their saddles (which were secured
that way for the purpose of secret movements b,
night and prepare to use them when came to clos
quaren The GOODNESS and galantry Of my men, and tn
deadly crack of their rifles convinced them that
was better to retire. There could not have been les
than three hundred Mexcans in the engagement beside
49, - - L Al l..