Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-10-01

hCatlOn. They contain matters vi Tic ueepeo'
interest to the people of the State. and am sure
you will take pleasure IN adopting The most
prompt means o. giving them publicity.
am, very respectfully, yours, &c,
DAVID JOHNSON.
z. D. CorTREIL, Esq.
COL DICKINSON'S REPORT
Head Quarters s. c. Regt Votnnteers'
San Augustin, Aug %, l84I
GrNpp,1-FarIv on the morning OF 2Oth
inst, Col Butler, in pursuance OF your oiue'e'
marched his command from the Toan running
10 the South of his quarters, by when II was
reported many NeXicans were retreatlng rom
the field of Contreras to the City OF Mexico.
Owing to the thick patches OF maguey and a
rupoed ravine, he could not reach his position
until several hundred of the enemy had pass
ed. Asthe Regiment emerged from the ravine
into field, extending TO the road, (Which field
was 7anked on our right by stone wall, eX-
tending to the road and enclosing IN orchard,)
we discovered large masses of the enemy in
the road before us; and although they per-
Ceived us at the same time, they were unable
to escape beyond our reach until every gun IN
the battalion had been brought 10 bear upon
them most, however, had broken into an
posed them to our fire Through this field, in
full musket range of our position, mingled
groups OF their Cavalry and Infantry contin-
ned to pass Shortly, however. we perceived
large masses forming in line of battle, under
cover of the stone wall, already mentioned
and that large body was advancing from the
orchard, on orr right flank and rear. Col.
Butler Immediately changed front to the right
by a flank movement, and brought the enemy,
in both their positions, as they advanced from
cover, under his fire this they returned for
short time, and then retreated. Col Butler
perceivinc that others of the enemy were pas
sing through the field in our front, LETT few
files TO guard our rear--formed again on the
road, and maintained steady fire upon the
enemy, who continued to pass for about 20
minutes Large bodies of MexiCans then came
forward and surrendered themselves to Col
Butler, who, seeing other bodies still coming,
remained upon the road with three Companies,
while the rest of the Regiment, in pursuance
Of an order from the General, retired beyond
the raVinc to oppose very large body of Cav
airy, appearing in our rear Of the enemy,
one hundred and twenty Q27) were
killed and wounded, and two hundred and
seventeen CID taken prisoners. Among the
latter were the following officers of rank, to
two Colonies, three Lieut. Colonies, four Com
mandants, three Captains, and four Lieuten-
ants. Our own loss in the action, from the
random fire Of the enemy, was one Sergeant
severely wounded, and one private slightly.
Capt Marshall with his company (E) was
left as a guard over the prisoners, who were
placed in Church, and the Regiment, soon
after, took mp its line OF march on the road tC
Mexico. About noon, the Regiment was or
dcrcd to make detOur to the left, and strike
upon the same road short distance beyond
the enemy's works at CherapO5a, to cut of
their retreat, as it was reported that the works
had hepn carried by our troops On arriving
on the field after the subsequent action, we
found that the New York Regiment, in consc-
uucnce of numbers of horsemen and small
corps of the HowtZcr battery having intruIcd
themselves betWiXt us, were some three hun
drcd yards in advance of us, and the ninth in
fantry attached, for the time being, 10 our
Brigade, nearly the same distance in our rear
at the proper point we proceeded to form the
line of battle, and as soon as the two right
flank companies were in line, we were ordered
to advance-despatch in reaching the road tc
cut off retreat being considered of more impor-
lance than a regular advance. Before, how
ever, One-half of the companies were in line
we found the New York Regiment retiring
under cover Of the hacienda, to our right, and
O rs soon as our line was unmasked by this re-
giment, we found ourselves exposed to q heavy
fire from the road, which appeared to be dense
ly filled with Mexican troops, as also the ha-
cienda to the left of the field we occupied, and
Immediately on the road. AS we had attempt
ed, for the reason stated, very imperfect order
in our line of battle was obtained and as that
appeared now indispensable, we were ordered
to march by the right flank, as we reached the
left flank OF the New York Regiment As
the Hacienda did not possess sufficient breadth
to protect the TANKS in forming line of battle
IN It's rear. the Battalion was ordered to form
by Companies, anil to march in column to the
left, in advance of the Hacienda, AMI a little
to its left, upon which the General in person
had placed himself; there they were ordere;
to deploy upon the Colour Company. The
Companies of the left wing formed in regula
order, but some Companies of the right wing
were thrown into confused masses by the oh
trusion of miscellaneous troops, belonging Il
different arms of the service; this was mostly
reme1ed. and the advance was ordered. The
line continued to advance, under a heavy fire
some 80 PAGES iii rear of the General, abou
$50 yards, when they were halted. The Gen
eral had cautioned the men not to open thei
fire until he gave the orders; but directly thev
halted, the General took his position in line o
battle, and at this time the squad of nike
troops upon our extreme right, already men
tloneI, commenced firing, and the Battalion
supposing the orders given, opened its fire. !
was understood by the field officers TO hav
been the Generals intention 10 have made on
Battalion the base of formation of the other
attached to his brigade, and that as soon a
the whole were in line, they were to advanc
within either easy musket range OF the road
or to charge as he should deem best. AS tn
firing had already commenced, and did not in
terfere with the formation of the other BattaI
ion, it was permitted to continue As soon
however, as one or two companies of the New
York Regiment appeared marching up to on
right, the order was given to charge, and tn
Battalion was galantIy led forward by Mao
l1ladden, then in command of the Regimen
The Colonel had been killed directly after on
IRE MAD been opened, and the Lieut.. Colont
severely wounded few minutes before tn
charge Our line OF battle numbered befor
the commencement, Field officers. . Sta
othcers, Z Captains, p Lieutepants. % Ser
geants, 273 rank and file after the battle III
number VINO were unwounded, for duty. wa
l Field officer (Major,) Captains, Il icn
tenants, - Sergeants, 100 rank and file RI
total of our loss in the engagement in k;Iro
and wounded. was 1876. The Major inrorme
me, that upon reaching the position of the er
envy. he found that thew had abandoned