The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-20
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1877,


Clay, and Frv, passing along their line.
antmatIng and encouraging the men by
precept and example. The second Illi-
nols regiment also received the enemy's
fire with great irmness, and returned an
ample equivalent. While the fierce con-
flict was going on the main body of Col.
Hardin's regiment moved to the right of
the kentuckians, and the representatives
of each State seemed to vie with each
other in the honorable ambition Of doing
the best service for their country. Both
regiments CALAMITY sustained their posi-
tons and won unfading @laurels. The
veterans of Austerltz could MOI have ex-
hihited more courage, GOODNESS, and devo-
ton.
In the mean time the enemy's cavalry
had been stealthily pursuing lis way along
the mountain, and, though our artillery
had wrought great havoc among its num-
bers, the leading ~squadrons had passed
the extreme points of danger, and were
almost in position to attack US in rear
At this critical moment the Indiana regi-
ment turned upon IFS proper front and
commenced an inglorious flight. The
efforts of Col. Bowles to bring it into po-
sition were vain, and over hills and ra-
vines they pursued their shameful career
TO the great delight of the enemy, who
rent the air with shouts of triumph. Sc
veral officers of General Tayler's staff
immediately dashed off, to arrest, il pos
sible, the retreating regiment, and restore
it again to reputation and duty. Major
Dix, of the Pay Department, formerly of
the 9TH infantry, was the first to reach the
deserters. and seizing the colors of the
regiment, appealed to the men TO know
whether they had determined TO desert
them. He was answered by three cheers,
showing that though the men had little
disposition to become heroes themselves,
they were not unmindful of an act of dis
tnguished gallantry on the part of anoth-
er. A portion of the regiment immedi-
ately rallied around him, and was re-
formed by the officers. DIX, in person,
then led them towards the enemy until
one OF the men volunteered TO take the
flag. The party returned to the field,
and, though not in time TO repair the dis
aster which their fight had created, to re-
trieve, in a slight degree. the character Of
the State. While the day, however, by
this disgraceful panic, was fast going a.
gainst us, the artillery was advanced, lis
front extended, and different sections and
pieces, under Sherman, Bragg, O'Brien,
Thomas. Reynolds, Kilburn, French, and
Bryan, were working such carnage in the
ranks of the enemy as 10 make the col
umns roll TO and fro like ships upon the
pillows. His triumph at the Indiana re-
treat was but for a moment, and his shouts
Of Joy were soon followed by groans OF
anguish and the shrieks of expiring hun
dreds.
Washington's battery on the right had
now opened It's fire and driven back a
large party of %lancers, advancing in that
direction. Along the entire line the battle
ragged with great fury. Twenty-one thou
sand of the victims of Mexican oppres-
sion and the myrmidons of Mexican des-
potism were arrayed against FIVE thau-
sand Americans, sent forth to conquer a
peace. The discharges of the infantry
followed each other more rapidly than the
sounds of the Swiss Bell-ringers i'll the
fierce fervor of FINALE, and the volleys
of artillery reverberated through the
mountains like the thunders Of an Alpine
storm.
The myriads of Mexican cavalry still
pressed forward on our left, and threaten
ed a charge upon the Mississippi rifles,
under Col. Davis, who had been ordered
TO support the Indiana regiment. and had
succeeded in preserving a fragment of ii
in position. Col. Davis Immediately
threw his command in the form of a V,
the opening towards the enemy, and a
waited his advance. On he came, dash
ing with all the speed Of Mexican horses,
but when he arrived at that point from
which could be seen the whites of his
ewes, both lines poured forth a sheet Of
lead that scattered him like chaff, telling
many a gallant steed to the earth, and sen
ding scores of riders to the sleep that
knows no waking.
While the dispersed Mexican cavalry
were rallying, the Sd Indiana regiment,
under Col. Lane, was ordered TO join Col.
Davis, supported by a considerable body
Of horse. About this time, from some
unknown reason. our wagon train dis
played its length along the Saltillo road,
and offered a conspicuous prize for the
Mexican l%ancers, which they seemed not
unwilling to appropriate. Fortunately,
Lieut.. Rucker. with a squadron Of the lst
dragons, Capt. Steen having been pre-
viously wounded and Capt. Eustis con-
fined to his bed by illness, was present,
and by order Of Gen Taylor dashed a
mong them in a most brilliant style, dis
persing them by his charge as effectually
as the previous fire of the Mississippi II
1emen. Mays drsgoons, with a squad