Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20
Report Of Major General PiHoo.
HEADQUARTERS THInp DIVISION,

HEADQUARTERS THnp DIVISION,
Mrcoac, August24 ls47.
CApTAIS: In compliance with the order of the General
n-Chief moved with my division, consisting Of the 9th,
llh I2h 4h, and 18th infantry and the volgeur egi-
ment and the field battery Of Captain Magruder and the
howzer battery under Lieutenant Calender, early the
morning Of the 18th instant and opened the road the
mountain the indicated by Captain Lee, of the
gineer CORPS assisted by Leuenans Beauregad Stephens,
Tower Smith, McClelland, and Foster Brgader General
Twiggs, with his dvision reported TO me for duty under in
sucons from the Genealn-Chlef whilst my own division
was moving the mountain.
Perceving that the enemy large force the oppo
site side of the valley, with heavy batteries of artillery
handing the only road through plain of broken voca-
mic and lava rent into deep chasm and ssures ec-
uay preventing advance except under his direct fire.
resolved give him battle. For this purpose ordered Gen.
Twiggs advance with his finely disciplined division, and
with brigade assault the enemys works in front, and
with the other his left flank, and assail il in
Capt Magrudes fine field battery and Lieut. Calenders
hower battery (both Of which constitute part Of my dv
son) were placed at the disposal Of Brig Gen. Twggs
This officer in executing order Of attack directed Brew
Brig Cen Smith to with his brigade upon the enemy
'front.' whilst Col Riley, with his ordered to turn his
left and assai him in To sustain these movements
Brig Gen Cadwaader ordered advance with his bril-
gade and support COL Riley, and Brig Gen Pierce, with
his command, support the column moving upon the
mys front, under Brig Gen. Smith. This last command
was soon closely engaged with the enemy also the
batteries of Capt. Magrudcr and Lieut. Calender.
Col Rleys command having crossed the vast bro
whilst in the of turning the enemys left confronted
by several thousand lances who advanced the charge
when we'll directed fire from the brigade twice compelled
them fall back in disorder, under OF their artillery
About this time Brig Gen Cadwaladers command had also
crossed the plain when 5000 5000 troops of the
enemy observed moving rapidly from the direction Of the
capital 10 the field Of action. Col Morgan with his large
and fine regiment, which had caused to be detached from
the Of Pieces brigade, ordered to the support
Of Cadwaader by direction of the General nche who had
R,w arrived upon the field.
This General having discovered this large force moving
upon his right flank AMI the with decided military
and pompude threw back his right wing and confront
ed the enemy with the intention to give him battle nowh-
standing his overwhelming force.
This portion Of the enemy's force moved steadily forward
until conflict seemed inevitable when Col Morgans egi-
ment having reached this part Of the field presented front
formidable induce the enemy to change his purpose,
and draw off to the right and Of his former position
During all this time the battle ragged herce between the
other portions Of the armies with constant and destruc
tive fire Of artillery. Magrulers battery from its prominent
positions much disabled by the heavy shot Of the enemy,
also Calenders howilzcrs part of the enemys
artillery had been turned upon Riley commando whilst actively
engaged with large bodies Of ancers but even these com
ned attacks could only delay the purpose OF the gallant old
veteran and his noble brigade
The General-inchef having arrived upon the field with
Gen Shcds's brigade Of Volunteers insisting Of the New
York and South Carolina regments-odered hem to move
TO the support Of the forces under Brig Gen Cadwaade
but had grown late in the evening that Gen Shields
did get position until after dark Night having come
on, (hu until entirely dark this herce conflict was sus
pended TO be renewed on the morrow
The battle ali this day conducted under my immediate
ord,rs and within my short time before sunset, hav-
ing previously engaged il the fight all the forces dis
posa myself and staff started the plain, join in
the terrible struggle on the immediate field Of &C ion.
On my way thither | joned Ivy \ is Gen Twiggs
aud staff but the darkness Of the night rendered still more
Obscure by heavy caused us to miss way through
The broken up lava and wander to he close neghboihoo
Of the works Of tho enemy and not until the shli
blasts Of his buges appzed Of our position that we be-
satisfied could not reach, during the night our des
oatou We then returned, and reported the Gencrain
chief
during the night Brig Gen Smith disposed the forces pre-
the action daylight and complete the orgna