Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-21

as they could arrive within a neighborly range.
The skitmishing continued until after dark, with
no result to us save the wounding OF three men
very slightly. q
During the night Mexican prisoner was Ia
ken, who reported Santa Annals force as con-
sisting of fifteen pieces of artillery, including
some 24-pounders, six thousand cavalry, and ff
teen thousand infantry, thus confirming the
statement of his superior.
The firing on our extreme left, which ceased
soon after sunset on the 23d, was renewed on
the morning of the 23d at an early hour. This
was also accompanied by quick discharges of
artillery from the same quarter, the Mex cans
having established during the night l2-pounder
on a point at the base of the mountain, which
commanded any position which could be taken
by is. 70 counterfeit the effect of this piece,
Lieut. OBrien, 18th artillery, was detached
vita three pieces ofW ashingtons battery, hav-
Iing with him Lieute naEt Bryan, of the Topo-
graphical Engineers, who, having planted few
shells in the r.idst of the enemy's gunners,
foi the time eiectually sllenced his fire.
From the movement soon lerceptible along
the left OF, our line it became evident that the
enemy was attempting to turn that flank, and
for this purpose had concentrated large body
lofcavalry and foot infantry on his right. The
case of the mountain around Which these troops
were winding their way seemed oirdled with
belt of steel, as their glttering sabres and pol
| ished lances flashed back the beams of the NOR
ming sun. Shermans and Bragg's batteries
we're Immediately ordered to the lett Col. Bis
sells regiment occupied position between
them, while Col. McKee's Kentuckians were
transferred from the right of our line so as to
hold position near the centre. The second
Indiana regiment, under Col. Bowles,w placed
on our extreme leitnearly perpendicular to the
direction ofour line, so as to oppose by direct
fire the flank movement of the enemy. These
dispositions having been promptly effected, the
artillery of both armies opened its fresand sim
ultaneously the Mexican infantry commenceda
rapid and extended discharge upon our line
from the left to McKee's regiment. Our artil-
lery belched forth its thunders with tremendous
effect, while the Kentuckians returned the fire
of the Mexican infantry with great sieadiness
and success: the field officers, Mckee, Clay,
and Fry, passing along their line, anmating
and encouraging the men by precept and ex-
ample. The second Illinois regiment also re-
eeived the enemy's fire with great firmness, land
returned an ample equivalent. While the fierce
conflict was going on the main body of Col.
Hardin's regiment moved to the right of the
Kentuckians, and the representatives of each
State seemed to vie with each other in the hon
orable ambition Of doing the best service for
their country. Both regiments gallantry sus-
tanned their positions and won unfading laurels.
The veterans of Austerlitz could not have ex
hibited more courage. GOODNESS, and devotion.
In the mean time the enemy's cavalry bad
been stealthy pursuing its way along the noun
tain,and though our artillery had wrought great
havoc among its numbers, the leading squad
rons had passed the extreme points of danger,
and were almost in position to attack us in
rear. At this critical moment the Indiana reg
iment turned upon its proper front and CONNER
ced an inglorious flight. The efforts of Col.
Bowles to bring it into position were vain, and
over hills and DRAWINGS they pursued their shame
ful career TO the great delight of the enemy,who
| rent the air with shouts OF triumph. Several
officers of General Taylor's staff immediately
dashed of, TO arrest if possible, the retreating
regiment, and restore il again to reputation and
duty. Major Dix, of the Pay Department, for
merly of the 18th infantry,was the first to reach
the deserters, and seizing the coors of the reg
iment, appealed to the men to know whether
they had determined to desert them. He was
answered by three cheers, showing that though
the men had little disposition to become heroes
| the mselvess they were not unmindful of an act
OF distinguished gallantry on the part of anoth
er. A portion of the regiment Immediately rail-
| lied around him, and was reformed by the Off
GERS. Dix, in person, the led towards the enemy
until one Of the men volunteered TO take the
| flag. The party returned to the field, and, tho
not in time to repair the disaster which their
fight had created, to retrieve, in slight degree
! the character of the State. While the day,
however by this dsgraceful panic, was fast go
| ing against US, the artillery was advanced its
front extended, and different sections and pie
d..
REYNOLDS, Kilburn, French, and Bryan, were
working such carnage in the ranks of the enc
| my as to make his columns roll to and fro like
ships upon the pillows. His triumph at theIn-
diana retreat was but for moment, and his
shouts OF Joy were soon followed by groans of
anguish and the shrieks of expiring hundreds.
Washington's battery on the right had now
opened its fire and driven back large rarty of
Encers, advancing in that direction. Along
the entire line the battle ragged with great fury
lTwentv-one thousand of the victims of Next
can despotism were arrayed against FIVE thou
sand Americans, sent forth to conquer peace.
The discharges of the infantry followed each
other more rapidly than the sounds Of theSwiss
Bell ringers in the fierce ferycr of finale and
the volleys of artillery reverberated through
| the mountains like the thunders of an Alpine
Storm.
The myriads OF Mexican cavalry still pressed
forward on our left, and threateneda charge up
on the Mississippi rifles, under Col. Davis, who
had been ordered to suppose the Indiana regi-
ment, and had succeeded in preserving a frag-
ment Of it in position. Col. Davis immediate
| ly threw his command into the form of V,
the opening towards the enemy, and awaited
| his advance. On he came, dashing with all
the speed of Mexican horses, but when he arri-
we'd at that point from which could be seen the
whites of his eyes, both lines poured forth
sheet of lead that scattered him like chaff, fel-
| ling many gallant stced TO the earth,and sem
ding scores of riders to the sleep that knows
no waking.
While the dispersed Mexican cavalry were
rallying, the Sd Indiana regiment, under Col.
Lane, was ordered to join Col. Davis, supported
by considerable body of horse. About this
time, from some unknown reason, our wagon
train displayed its length along the Saltillo
road. and offered conspicuous prize for the