The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-26

by Lieut. OBriens battery
About O'Clock was informed by Colonel Churchill
hat Inc enemy were advancing toward my position IN
great force selterng themselves in deep ravine which
runs up towards the mountain directly in my front
Immediately put my columns in notion consisting OF those
eight battalion companies and Lieut. OBrens battery
amounting in all TO about 400 men, to meet them The
enemy, when they depoyed from the avine and appear
ed on the ridge, displayed force OF about 1000 IMAM
Try, supported by large body of lancers The infantry
Immediately opened most destructive ire, which was
returned by my small command, both infantry ana arl-
ley IN most gallant manner Tor some lime soon per
eeived thai too far from the enemy for my mskels
To take that deadly effect which DESIRED and immediate
N my aid de-camp to Lieut. OBrlen, directing HIM to
place his battery IN more advanced poSuon, Wllh le
determination of advancing my whole line BY ms
movement should not only be near the enemy, but
should also bring the company on my extreme lett more
completely into action the brow OF the hill impede
their tire. By this time the enemys re OF musketry ana
the akng ere of ball and grape shot OF their battery post
ed my left flank had become terrible, and my infantry
instead OF Advancing ordered, regret to say re-
tired IN disorder from their position nowithstand-
ing my and the severe efforts OF my officers TO pre-
vent them About the time, the rhemen and caval-
q the mountain retired 10 the PLAIN below The AT
kansas cavalry (who had been posted By your orders IN
my rear the foot OF the mountain to act clrcum-
STAGES might require) also left their position the whole
making Teirogade movement along the paln towards
ths Al the same time one OF the Illinois regiments,
under my command, but stationed at distance IN
and ON the right of my position also retired 10 me
rear These troops the most OF them, were Immediately
rallied and fought during the whole day like veterans
few Of them regret TO say, did not return TO the hed
al all By this apparent success the enemy were much
ealed. and poured down along the side OF the mountain
the extreme left of the field their thousands OF lnan-
tfy and lanoers, and formed themselves IN good order
along the mountain fronting perpendcuary 10 where our
lines hal been posted Az this critical lnneture the MIS-
xsspp regiment under the command OF Colonel Davis,
arrived the field and being joined by part OF the "a
Indiana met the enemy in most gallant style, and,
after severe and bloody engagement, repulsed them
with great loss In the mean time large body OF IAN
GERS 900 OF 500 IN number who had passed down along
the left toward rear made most desperate charge
upon the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, with view
OF cutting cd and plundenng the baggage train OF the
army which was at a rancho near the battlefield.
This change was met and resisted most calamity by
those cavalry aided BY about two hundred infantry who
had taken refuge there after they had retired from the
field This repulse discouraged The enemy, and the
Mississippi regiment and part OF the I'd Indiana beng
loned BY The Sd Indiana regiment commanded by Colonel
james III Lane, now advanced UP towards the foot OF
the mountain for the purpose OF dsodgng the enemy
force stationed there In tins enterprise was aided by
Captain s battery OF light artillery and II was crowned
with complete success the enemy rereatDg IN disorder,
and with Immense loss, back along the side of the noun
tain TO the position which they had occupied in the
morning; some flying IN terror up the sides OF The
mountain, and into the ravines, while few were taken
prisoners. Amongst the last desperate attempts OF the
enemy 20 regain and hold the left of the field, was
charge made b. large body OF ancers upon my com
mand This charge for galantry and determined bravery
ON both sides, has been seldom equaed The forces on
either side nearly equal in numbers. Instead OF
the enemy received IN line of two ranks my force
reserying It's fire until the enemy within about
seventy wards which was delivered with deadly aim,
aud which proved most destructive in lis eiects-the
envy flying in every direction IN disorder and making
precipate retreat towards their own lines About sun
the enemy withdrew from the field and the battle
ceased In a brief report il is impossible 10 enter INTO
the details OF a day like the cad The fighting through
consisted of different engagements IN different parts
of the field, the whole of them warm and well conesed
many OF them bloody and terrible The men under my
command actually discharged eighty and some ninety
rounds OF cartridges AZ the enemy during the day The
I'd regiment Of my command which opened the battle on
the plan in such gallant style, deserves passing re-
mark shall attempt TO make apology Tor their
treat for il their duty TO stand die TO the last man
until they received orders 10 reire but desire TO call
Your attention To one fact connected with this affair.
They remained in their position in line receiving the
fire of 1000 1000 infantry in front, exposed AT the
same time the lei, flank 10 moe, desperate rosing
fire from the enemys battery. posted within pont-biank
shot, until they ind deliberately discharged tueay rounds
of cartridges nj the enemy
Some excuse may be framed for those who retired Tor
few minutes and then Immediately rallied, and fought
during the day. but unless they hasten 10 retrieve their
repuiaons disgrace must forever hang around the names
of those who refused 10 return and regret to say there
were few OF those from nearly every volunteer corps
engaged
In battle so fierce and proracted this, where there
many exhibitions OF GOODNESS and bravery, it is
difficult and delicate task 10 particularze But justice
compes 10 mention Colonel Davis and his regiment OF
Aissssppans, who nobly and so bayey came TO the
rescue at The proper time to save The fortunes Of the day
mand ordered into the action soon after Colonel
Davis and the GOODNESS and bravery displayed BY both
the olcers and men oi that regiment nave rarely been
SUPPOSEDLY any troops, at any time.
They have done infinite honor to the State and nation
that gave them birth Lieutenant Colonel Iladden, OF
the I'd regiment OF my brigade, aided IN rallyng his
regiment after they retired and he person succeeded
in marching party OF them back towards the enemy,
with whom he Immediately became engaged, and iorlu-
naiey repulsed them with considerable loss In another
par, Of the field he succeeded in killing officer of the
enemy with his hand, by sending rifle ball through
him nj great distance.
was also much indebted 10 Major Mooney quarter
master; Major Dix paymasier; the gallant and amented
ant Robinson, Tor their assistance in myng the forces
after they had retired from their position They all be-
haved noby and deserve the thanks OF the country for
the GOODNESS and nrepdy which they displayed on that
trying occasion. The laer-actlng as my aId-te-camp
during the entire days entitled 10 particular attention
for the gallant manner in which he executed my orders
OBren-who commanded the battery OF light
artillery rights deserving OF particular praise for
his courage and self.possesson throughout the day,
moving and dischargng his battery with all the GOODNESS
ney, quartemaster, and Major Morrison commissary,
attached to my brigade although not belonging 10 the
line OF the army expected to take active part in
the battle, entitled great honor for their bravery
and GOODNESS IN promptly raylng the scattered forces
the rancho, who assisted under the command OF Major
made upon the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, a. hy
this repulse, the whole baggage train OF tie army was
saved from destruction This important duty they dis.
charged, IN addition 20 those which strictly appeglaned
TO Their respective departments statement OF The killed
and wounded has already been submitted, which need
not be recapuaiel here. Although censue does justly
attach to few who proved recFeani 30 Their duy that
day, yet oi the opinion that veteran troops either o
this any other country could not have fought and
the battle better than those engaged u Il victory with
out parallel in this any other this continent
and the and officers who did their duty al the beie
Of Buena Vista deserve 90 have their names inscribed