Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-21

last visible, it mayb presumed, they are still
running. Z In this precipitate movement they
were compelled to pass through rancho, in
(which many of our valiant comrades had previ-
ously taken refuge, who from the secure retreat
opened quite an effective fire upon them. It's
reported moreover, that hundreds ofthe Arkan-
sas cavalry were so well satisfied with the re-
suit of this single effort, that they deemed it
unnecessary to make another, and accordingly
! kept on their way to town, and there reported
Gen. Taylor infull retreat.
At this time the Mexican force was much d.
vided, and the fortunes of the day were with us.
Santa Anna saw the crisis, and by craft and
cunning sought to avert it. He sent "a white
flag to Gen. Taylor, desiring to know what he
wanted. This was at once believed to be ruse
to gain time, and re-colect his men, but the A
merican General thought fit to notice it. and
Gen. Wool as,deputed to meet the Represen-
| tatiye of Santa Anna, and to say to him that,
we "wanted" peace. Before the inter iiew
could be had, the Mexicans themselves reopen
ed their fires, thus adding treachery of the high
est order to the other barbarian practices which
distinguish their mode of warfare. The flag,
however, had accomplished the end which its
| willy originator intended for though our troops
could have etfectuaily prevented the remainder
ofhis cavalry from joining the main body, still
| it could only have been done by fire, which
while the Farley lasted, would have been an
undoubted breach of faith. Although portion
| of the lancers during this interim had regained
their original position, a formidable number yet
remained behind. Upon these the infantry open
ed brisk fire, while Reynolds artillery, beau
tifully served, hailed the grape and canister up
on them with terrible effect.
| The craft of Santa Anna had restored his cou
age, and with his reinforcement of cavalry, he
determined to charge our line. Under cover of
their artillery, horse and foot advanced upon
our batteries. These, from the snaness of
our infantry force, were but feeble supported,
| yet by the most brilliant and daring efforts no.
| bly, maintained their positions. Such was the
| rapidity of their transitions that officers and
pieces seemed empowered with ubiquity, and
upon cavalry and infantry alike, wherever they
appeared, they poured so destructive fire as
to silence the eneny's artillery, compel his
whole line to fall back, and SION to assume
sort of sdure gu, peut movement, indicating any
thing but victory. Again, our spirits rose.-
The MeXcans appeared thoroughly routed and
while regiments and divisions were flying be-
lore us, nearly all our light troops were ordered
| forward, and followed them with most deadly
| fire, mingled with shouts which rose above the
roar of artillery. In this charge the first Illinois
l
most. The pursuit was too hot, and, as it evin-
ced too clearly our deficiency in numbers, the
Mexicans, with suddness which was almost
magical, rallied and returned upon us. They
came IN myriads, and for while the carnage
was dreadful on both sides. We were but
handful to oppose the frightful masses which
were hurried upon US, and could as easily have
resisted an avalanche of thunderbolts. We
were driven back, and the day seemed lost be-
! yond redemption. Victory, which a moment
before appeared within our grasp, was sudden
| Up torn from our standard. There was but one
| hope, but that proved an anchor sure and stead
! fast.
| While our men were driven through the raw
| ines, at the extremities of which body of Mex
lean lancers were stationed to pounce upon them
like tigers, Brent and Whiting of Washing
tons battery, gave them such a torrent of grape
as to put them to fight, and thus saved the rem
nants of those brave REGIMENTS which had long
borne the hottest portion of tie fight. On the
other flank, while the MeXicans came rushing
on like legions of fends, the artillery was left
unsupported, and capture by the enemy seemed
inevitable but Bragg and Thomas rose with
the crisis, and eclpsed even the fame they won
at Monterey while Sherman, OBren, and
Brian, proved themselves worthy of the alliance.
Every horse with O'Brien's battery was killed
| and the enemy had advanced to within range of
grape, sweeping all before him. But here his
progress was arrested, and before the showers
of iron hail which assailed him, squadrons and
battallons fell like leaves in the blasts of Au-
! tumn. The Mexicans were once more driven
back with great loss, though taking with them
the three pieces of artillery which were without
horses.
Thus thrice through the day, when all seem
ed lost save honor, did the artillery, by the abil
| ity by which it was manoeuvred, roll back the
tide OF success from the enemy, and give such
Overwhelming destructiveness to its effect that
the army was saved and the glory of the Amer
lean arms maintained.
The battle had now ragged with variable sue
cess, for nearly ten hours, and by a sort of mu-
tual consent, after the last carnage wrought
among the Mexicans by the artillery, both par
ties seemed willing to pause for the result.
Night fell, and the American General, with his
troops, slept upon the battle ground, prepared,
if nece; sary, to resume operations on the NOR
row. But ere the sun rose again upon the scene
the MeXicans had disappeared, leaving behind
them only the hundreds of their dead and diving,
whose bones are to whiten their native hills &
whose means of anguish were to excite IN their
enemies that compassion which can have no ex-
istence in the bosoms of their friends.
Throughout the action Gen. Taylor was where
the shot fell hottest and thickest, two of which
passed through his clothes. He constantly e.
WINGED the greatest quickness of conception, fer
tity of resource, and cool unerring Judgment
rot to be baffied. General Wool was wherever
his presence was required, stimulating the troops
to activity and exertion. The operations of
Gen. Lane were confined to his own brigade, &
his efforts were worthy of better material for
their application. Major Bliss bore himself
with his usual gallantry, having his horse, as at
Palo Alto, shot in the head. Mr.. Crittenden,
son of the Senator from Kentucky, was conspic-
uous in the field as volunteer aid to Gen. Tay.
lor and the Medical Directors assistant sur
geon, Hitchcock, could be sometimes seen where
the balls fell fastest, binding up a wound or
dressing broken leg, with true professional
zeal and anon gallopng with the ardour of an
amateur knight, conveying orders to different
commanders.