Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-09-29
Items. Smiths Charge
Miscellaneous Particulars.

Mexican Items. Smiths Charge
miscellaneous Particulars.
We give below all the items Of interest
which have been received at the time OF
going to press, commencing with an ac-
count Of Gen. P. F. SM1rH's charge, in
relation to which our former account ofthe
battle was deficient, and for which we
indebted to the N. o. Delta:
"But now" says our correspondent, elm
agine the position Of this portion of the
army, numbering $500, at the outside,
without artillery or cavalry, while the en-
envy in front and on the left had 10000
troops, (those in the fort under Valencia
said to be the best in the Mexican army, J
with ~ pieces OF artillery, and among his
troops about 1000 cavalry. 1t was evil
dent that some decisive action had to be
taken; that some great effort had to be
made; and Gen. Smith and Col. Riley,
seconded as they were, were just the men
competent to the task, and an attack OH the
main work was determined upon, and the
movement to take place at o'clock on the
following morning.
1.-The force Of Gen. Smith was not strong
enough to carry the enemy's works, and at
the same time to hold possession Of the
village; but fortune favors the brave, for
while he was preparing the attack, Gen.
Shields reported his near approach with
the South Carolina and New York
volunteers. Gen. Shields, though out
ranking Gen. Smith, had too much magma
nimi,y to assume the command, or to pluck
the bright laurels about to be gathered by
a brother soldier in carrying one ofthe en-
emy's strongholds, and accordingly he
moved subjec, to the command Of Gen..
Smith. Gen. Shields brigade was then
placed in the village Of Ensaido, to cut of
the ehemy's retreat from Coutreras, or 10
take his reserve in flank, in case he should
change his front.
''At o'clock Oh the morning of the 3Oth,
the movement commenced, which was so
slow thet day break appeared before the
head Of Cadwalader's brigade commenced
ascending the ravine at the village. As
soon as Col. Riley assembled the Hill and
came in view ofthe enemy, they opened a
severe fire on his forces.
"Col. Riley threw out his two advance
divisions as skirmishers, and said, Now,
boys, give them hell-close in with them
and let the bayonet do its work, and his
command rushed down the slope with a
yell, and enthusiasm enough to strike ter.
ror TO the heart of the boldest, while the
rear Of his command moved steadily for
ward, as it they were all made OF one piece
The Sappers and Miners and Rifle regi-
ment, which had been thrown across a ra-
vine intervening between the one they had
passed up, and under the brow of the slope
which Col Riley came down, from that
position poured in fire which swept in
front Of Col. Riley's column, then inclin.
ing towards their left joined in the attack,
outside of the left flank of the fort. Gen.
Cadwallader followed the route taken by
Col. Riley and as soon as his troops were
formed, moved Oh to his support.
The first brigade, which was bringing
up the rear, had been ordered to follow the
same route, but while it was on its march
by the right flank, up the ravine and near
ly opposite the fort, Gen. Smith ordered
the brigade to face to the left and advance
in line, 10 attack the enemys force in
flank. This movement was executed in
less time han it takes me to write it; they
met the enemy outside of the fert just as
Col. Riley's brigade rushed into it. The
enemy was completely routed and COM
menced precipitate retreat. Their cav
airy and infantry had been formed to re-
ceive the charge, but were compelled to
give way to the bayonet. The route was
complete and the victory most decided; but
while Rlley's brigade took possession o.!
the work aud planted their colors upon it.,
the other force continued their pursuit
down the road. The retreating force had
to pass near where Gen. Shields brigade
was placed to intercept them; bu: were
not aware Of it until they received the
we'll directed fire of tbs South Carolina re-
eiment, which moved them down like
grass before the scythe.
"The route aud dispersion were now
complete. In the Fort, were captured p
pieces of artillery, an immense amount of
munitions Of war, and upwards OF 1900
prisoners, among whom were several OH
oers Of high rank. The enemy left dead
upon the field upwards 200, which we
buried; but his loss, says orr correspon-
dent, was much larger, as the Mexicans
were still buryins the dead two days after
the battle. The troops i'll the fort were
commanded by Valencia, and those outside
by Santa Anna. The two 6-pounders of
Washirston's battery taken on the field of
Buena Vista by the Mexicans, were re.
captured in this Fort. .-..
We give below still later items taken
from the Hawkeye of the, 23d, copying
the list of killed, wounded and missing of
the 18th Infantry, to which the Iowa com
pany was attached, and to which Mai.
Mills also belonged. In this account he
is set down among the missing; but in
another and still later account, we have an
account of his death, which is to to the eff
feet that his horse having become unman-