The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-28
HEAD QUARTERS, 9 h Reg. Inf,
near Mexico. 22d Aug.

Battlefield near lhcNlCO, <<u mug
Geqeral:- have the honor to report, that IN
compliance with your orders, advanced win my
REGIMENT and Battalion of the 18th Infantry,
under the command of 1t Col Bonham, TO sup
port the battery of Capt Magruder and It. Cal
lender acting against the enemies position at.
THE cuns of the enemy were admirably served
cbplIs crane and round shot were actually show
cred mon nv command. l advanced, however,
in front of our batteries, and took position IN the
valley of the -, advancing across tie RAPID
stream some 200 yards in front Of the enemy 5
euns-where / remained until about 10 O'Clock at
night-when / received your orders to return to
the base of the hill, about two miles in the rear
We had lust returned and bivouacked in heavy
rain. when received orders from the commander
in-chief through Brig. Gen. Twiggs, TO lead my
command and the Battalion of the 18th, under
| CAPT. Wood and two companies of the Sd lnfan
try under the command of Capts. Craig and
Childs to occupy their attention until combined
attack should be mado by the main army upon
his TANKS and rear l arrived at the position in
dictated about daybreak, and the enemy again o
pened heavy fire upon us, which was continued
and returned until by the attacks before mention
ed he was actually routed, and we formed in pur
suit. taking severl prisoners. Having pursued the
enemy with other troops, to the main road which
leads TO Mexico, from the village of -,
received your order to remain with my regimen
and the howitzer battery, under the command o
Lieut.. Rens, and hold that position until furthe
ORDERS Soon after taking our position, firing il
| front was heard. l received your order to ad
vance and join the brigade Your Adjutant Gen
! Winship directed our ranks TO the command Nj,
regiment with the howitzer battery, although sep
! Grated BY O long interval from the main command
overlook the rear OF Gen. Shields brigade befor
they had reached our position-when line wa
formed near Il Hacienda on the left of the roaC
/ g.. c. helm
on the right. We were hardly formed before
large body of Lancers opened heavy fire upol
our left flank, which, with the fire in our from
caused some temporary confusion in the ranks
Order was, however, restored speedily, by the &C
tivity OF Brig. General Shields; and the Soutl
Carolina regiment and my own, with the Battal
ion of the 18th Infantry under the command o
Captain Wood, which had acted effectually wit
nv regiment since the 10Th, were promptly form
ed the former ADVANCING towards the road t
Mexico and my command upon the Lancers VIII
Lad attacked our flank. We advanced rapid
upon the enemy, loading and firing in quick sue
cession, when he gave way and fed in every di
rection and we joined in the general pursuit to
wards the gates of the city.
| have great pleasure in bearing testimony t
the bravery and good conduct both Of officers an
men of my command, as well as the battalion o
the 18th Infantry, acting with US. All have don
well-hut l cannot in justice omit TO mention a
particularly worthy of commentator tn names {
several officers TO whose activity our success
mainly attributed, viz: 1t. Col. Bonham of III
18th Infantry, who acted with US on the 20tl
Z whose wound deprived me of his valuable aid o
the 2lst; Maj Seymour who acted second in con
mand to whose bravery and skill l owe mucl
Capis. Bodfsh, Thompson, Kimball and WOOD
my Adjutant, LIST Lieut. ChaS. J. Sprague and l
Leuts. Bowers; Jackson, Slocum-thc latter
, the 9th Infantry; I'd Lieuak Newman, Palm
and Pierce, the two former being severely woun
cd, would also ask your particular notice
Acting 2nd Lieut. McKab as well as Sergeal
Major Fairbanks.
should do great injustice not to mention Il
, gallant bearing of Licuts. Chandler and Reno ar
the effective service of the howitzcr battery, whit
was frequently under my command. Among Il
/ non-commissioned officers and privates ofmy re
iment, there were many instances of personal hr
very and heroism, which will not go unrewarde
; to which l shall hereafter take great pleasure
calling your attention, and recommending the
= for promotion. L. Is. RANSOM