Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02
COL. DIcKINsoN's REGIMENTAL REPORT.
Headquarters South Carolina Regiment Volunteers,
San Augusfine AtigDsf % IaA7

WIN
reported many Mexicans reeatng from the field
Of Contreros to the city of Mex.o. Owing to the thick
patches OF maguey and rugged avn he could not reach
his position until several hundred of the enemy had passed
As the regiment emerged from the rayine field extend
ing TO the road (Which field fanked on our right by
stone WALL extending to the road and enclosing an orchard
we discovered large of the enemy in the road before
US and although they perceived at the time they
unable escape beyond reach until gun
battalion had been brought to bear upon them most how
over had broken into open field opposite which only the
more exposed them TO fire. Through this field full
musket range Of position mingled groups their cavalry
and infantry continued to pass. Shortly however, per-
ceved large forming line OF battle under of
the stone wall already MENTIONED and that large body
advancing from the orchard right flank COL
Butler Immediately changed front the right by flank
men and brought the enemy both their POSITIONS they
advanced from under his fire this they returned for
short time, and then rereated COL Butler perceivng that
others OF the enemy passing through the field in
'front.' left few files guard rear formed again the
road, and maintained fire upon the enemy who
tnued TO pass for about twenty minutes Large bodies Of
Mexlcans then forward and surrendered themselves
Co Butler, who seeing other bodies still coming, remained
upon The road with three companies, while the of the
regiment, in pursuance of order from the General,
tired beyond the ravne oppose very large body Of cava
ry appearing in Of the enemy one hundred and
twenty 27 were killed and wounded, and hun
dred and seventeen (2l taken prisoners Among the latter
were the following officers of rank, to wit One general off,
GER two staff officers two colonies, three lieutenant colo
ne four Communicates three captains, and four ieutenants
my, was one sergeant severely wounded and one private
slightly.
Capt. Marshall with his company (E) left as guard
over the prisoners who placed in church, and the
gmen after took up its line of march the road to
Mexico. About the regiment ordered to make
deoar to the le and strike upon the road short dis
lance beyond the enemys works Cheraposa, othe
retreat reported that the works had been carried by
troops. On arriving the field after the subsequent
ton we found that the New York regiment in consequence
of numbers of horsemen and small corps of the howzr bat
terry having nruded themselves bewx us, three
hundred yards advance Of us and the ninth infantry
ached for the time being to bgade nearly the dis
lance In our AT the proper point proceeded TO form
the line OF battle, and the right flank compa-
MES were IN line ordered TO advancedspatch in
reaching the road TO cut of retreat being considered of i'm
poance than regular advance Before however halfo
the companies IN ne found the New ork regiment
retiring under cover OF the hacienda right and
our line was unmasked by this regiment found ourselves
exposed to heavy fire from the road which appeared be
densey filled with Mexican troops also the hacienda the
left OF the field we occupied, ami Immediately the road
As we had advanced for the stated very imperfect
der IN line of battle obtained and that appeared
now indispensable, ordered to march by the right
flank we reached the left flank of the New York regiment
As the hacienda did not sufficient breadth protect
the TANKS forming the line of battle in its rear the battalion
was ordered TO form by companies and to march column
the left, in advance of the hacienda, and little its left,
upon which the General in person had placed himself There
they ordered depoy upon the color company The
companies OF the left wing formed in regular ORDER bat
by the DIFFUSION of miscellaneous troops belonging different
arms of the services this mostly remeded and the ad
vance was ordered The line continued advance under
heavy fire me thirty in of the General about
hundred and fifty yards, when they halted. The
General had cautioned the open their until he
the orders but directly they halted the General took his
position in line Of bae and this time the squad of
mixed troops upon right already mentioned
firing and the battalion, surprising the orders
gven opened its fire. 1t understood by the field officers
TO have been the Generals intention have made baa
lion tie base of formation of the others attached his Brigade
and that, the whole line they ad
within either muske range Of the road or to charge as
he should deem best As the firing had aea lady commenced
and did not interfere with the formation OF the other battson
it permitted to continue As soon however,
two companies of the New York regiment appeared marching
right the order given charge and the baa-
lion calamity led forward by Major Gladden. then in
mand of the regiment The Colonel had been killed directly
after fire had been opened and the Lieutenant Colonel
severely wounded few minutes before the charge Our line
OF battle numbered before the commencement field officers
staff officers captains "a lieuenants, % sergeants,
273 rank and file after the battle, the number who
wounded, for duty, field officer (maor,) captains,
ls leuenans IL sergeans 100 rank and file. The total
OF our loss in the engagement killed and wounded So
The Major informed that, upon reaching the position Of
the enemy, he found that they bad abandoned IT. and in
full retreat for the city several companies pursuit.
and the others formed in the road The whole
were shortly ordered TO advance by the General but
sequence OF the large number OF killed and wounded reported
him. the battalion soon ordered back 10 the hacienda
pursuit were overaken by piece of artillery which they
supported nearly 10 the suburbs of the city, until they
recalled.
Capt Marshall, who ejoincd the regiment with his
nand at this place. reports that after the battalion
had left the church where the prisoners placed under his
charge finding himself destitute of provisions he sent detach
ment Of his company to forage for fruit and this
detachment surprised party of Mexican soldiers engaged in
The same pursuit They killed and captured fortyth
whom they brought back and delivered to their captain This
makes the total number taken at that place @6O, which, with
l27 killed and wounded makes total Of 3S7.
should be unjust 10 the officers Of the regiment and 10 my
own feelings TO close this report without acknowledge
ing the gallant which all the grades of officers per-
formed their duty, and sustained the Of their flag I'm
III the engagement Of the evening, regiment had been in
very dangerous position, and the troops that regard
raw and inexperienced upon that occasion each officer had
TO lead his command and their number IN killed and wound
ed shows how faithfully they the necessity Our noble
aud unfortunate commander had his horse shot under him. at
the head of his command in the first Of the engagement
short time after he received wound in the leg, aud yielded
the command TO his in rank. Finding, however, that
the wound although serious had not broken his leg, he
companed the regiment lis subsequent advance upon the
field Here he had scarcely taken his position in the line Of
battle the colo when he received wound the left
side Of his head which nstantaneouy terminated his life
As you witnessed yourself his gallant bearing, will only add
that be only brave officer but guardian father to
his regiment
have already stated that the occasion required Of every
officer fearless example bis command, and that il
fully by ALL instances of gallantry falling acct
dentally Under my immediate notice will mention
making nvdous distinctions, but conduct Characteristic OF
the whole corps OF officers Major GLADDEN. attracted my
tcn,on by his usual regard for Observation-Disclosures however
partial seemed give him concern He always at his