Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-21

example The second Illinois regiment, also re-
ceived the enemys fire with great iirnness and re-
turned an ample equivalent. While this fierce con-
flict going on, the main body of Col. Hardins
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
gallanty sustained their positions, and won nnfad
ing laures. The veterans of AusterlitZ could not
have exhibited more courage, GOODNESS, and devotion
In the mean time the enemys cavalry had been :
stealthily pursuing its way along the mountain, and
though artillery had wrought great havoc am
ong its numbers, the leading squadrons had passed
the extreme points of danger, and were almost in
position TO attack in the rear. At this critical
moment the Indiana regiment turned uponit prop
er front, and commenced an inglorous flight. The
efforts of Col Bowles to bring it into position were
vain, and hills and ravincs they pursued their
shameful career to the great delight of the enemy
who rent the air with shouts of triumph. Several
officers of General Taylor's staff Immediately DASH
ed off, to arrest if possible, the rcreating regiment
and restore it again to reputation and to duty. Ma
jor Dix the Pay Department, formerly of the 18th
infantry was the first TO reach the deserters and
Selling the coors OF the reg ment, appealed to the
men, to know whether they mad determined to
desert them. He answered by three cheers,
showing that though the men had little disposition
to become heroes themselves, they were not I'M
mind al of an act of distinguished gallantry on the
part OF another. A portion OF the regiment imrne-
diately rallied around him. and was reformed 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 tho
not in time to repair the disaster which their flight
created to retrieve in slight degreee, the character
of the State. While the day. however, by this dis
graceful panic, fast going against us, the arte-
~ advanced its front extended and different sect
ions and pieces under Sherman, Bragg O'Bren, Thos
Reynolds, Kilbum, French, and Bryan, were work
ing such carnage in the ranks OF the enemy, to
make his columns roll to and fro, like ships upon
the pillows. His triumph at the Indiana's retreat
was but for moment and his shouts of Joy, were
followed by groans of anguish and the shrieks
of pricing hundreds.
Washington Eattery on the right, | al now open
ed its fire, and driven back large body 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 oppression and the
myrmidons of Mexican despotisin, were arrayed
against five thousand Americans, sent forth to con-
! quer peace. The discharges of the infantry fol-
lowed each other more rapidly than the sounds of
the Swiss Bell ringers in the fierce fever of finale
and the volleys ofartery reverberated through the
mountains like the thunders of an Alpine Storm
The myrlads OF Mexican cavalry still pressed
iOINdIu Oh our itit, threatened q Charge upon
the Mississippi rifles under Col Davis, who had been
| ordered to support the Indiana regiment, and had
succeeded in preserving fragment of it in position
Col Davis Immediately threw has command into
the form OF a ', the opening towards the enemy
and awaited his advance. On he came dashing with
all the speed of Mexican horses, but when he arrv-
ed at that point from which could be seen the white
of his eyes, both lines poured forth sheet of lead
that scattered him like chaff telling many gallant
stecd to the earth and sending OF riders to
| the sleep that knows no waking.
While the dispersed cavalry were rallying the ID
! Indiana regiment, under Col. Lane was ordered to
join Col Davis, supported by considerable body
of horse. About this time, for some unknown rea-
son, our wagon train displayed its length along the
Saltllo road, and offered conspicuous prize for the
Mexican lancers, which they seemed not unwill-
ing to appropriate. Fortunately, 1t. Rucker, with
a squadron of the lst Dragons (Capt Steene hay
ing been previously wounded and Capt. Euss con
fined to his bed by ness,) was present and by or
der of Gen Taylor, dashed among them in most
brilliant style, dispensing them by his charge as eff
ectually as the previous fire OF the Mississippi rifle.
men. Mays Dragons with squadron of Arkan-
sas cavalry under Capt. Pike, and supported by
single piece OF artillery, under 1t Reynolds now
claimed their share in the discussion and when the
Mexcans had again assembled, they had to encoun-
ter another shock from the two squadrons besides
fierce fire from Reynolds six FOUNDER The lam
rallied and directing their course to-
wards the Saltillo road, met by the remain
der Of Yell's regiment and AIarshalls Kentuckians
who drove them towards the mountains on the OPP
poslte side of the valley, where, from their appear
ance when last visible, it may be presumed, they
are still running In this precipitate movement,
| they were compelled to pass through rancho, in
| which many of our valiant comrades had taken
| refuge who from this secure retreat opened quite
| an effective fire upon them.
1t is reported moreover that hundreds of the Ar
kansas Cavalry well satisfied with the result
of this single effort that they deemed it unnecessa-
ry to make another, and accordingly kept on their
way to town, and there reported Gen. Taylorin full
retreat
At this time the Mexican forces were much diyi-
| ded, and the fortunes of the day with U.s.
! Santa Anna saw the crisis, and by craft and cum
| ing sought to avertit. He sent white flag to Gen
| Taylor, desiring to know what he wanted! This
was at once believed to be mere ruse to gain time
! and rccollect his men, but the American General
| thought tit TO notice it, and Gen Wool was deputed
to meet the representative of Santa Anna, and to
say to him we ''wantedr peace. Before the inter-
! view could be had the Alexicans themselves reop-
ened their fires thus adding treachery of the highest
order TO the other barbarous practices which dstin-
! guish their mode of warfare. The flag however
had accomplished the ends which its willy origin
ator designed, for though troops could have eff
| tectuay prevented the remainder of his cavalry
from joining the main body it could only have been
done by fac; which while the parcy lasted, would
| have been an uAdoubtcd breach of faith Although
portion of the lnucers during this Interim had re
gained their original position, a formidable number
still remained behind Upon these the infantry op
ened brisk tlc, while Reynolds Artillery, beaut.
fully served, hailed the grape and canister upon
them with terrible effect
The craft of Santa Anna had restored his cour