The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-29
From Gen. Taylor's Army.
Continued from Thursdays Unton,~

Continued from Thursdays " Onion'~
CANE TAYLOR Mexico, March p lsi7
SIR have the honor TO make the following repof. o.
the operations Of the rle battalion dnael -, and pad Of
February with the Mexican army under General Santa
Anna On the morning Of the 22d, the Indiana brigade
was drawn up order of battle, when brigaher Cen
eal Lane ordered 10 take the four rifle companies OF
his brigade, to wit: Captain Susss and Captain Dunns
OF the Sd, and Captain Osborns and Captain Walkers
OF the I'd regiment; and proceed TO the base OF The
mountains on the left; which was done. Alter remain,
ing in that position short me the enemy commenced
throwing bombs al our hnes but without dong us any
injury About o'clock, Colonel Humphrey Marshall
sent company OF dsmounted rflemen on height on
the left, but from cause they were recalled Inc
colonel then ordered me to send one company to The same
position but before they arrived at the point designated
the enemy showed themselves IN large numbers on the
height it intended we should occupy, and opened
upon Capt Susss company, OF my command brisk hre
OF musketry The colonel then ordered one company OF
his command and two of the lndanans to ascend the
adjacent height the left, which was promptly done
AS they proceeded up, the enemys forces had IN
creased 10 at least 500, and opened upon us heavy
fire. which was promptly returned and continued hercely
until dark when were all ordered to retire TO the
base of the hill, and sleep upon our arms until morning
AT daylight next morning was ordered by Brgadier Gen
era Lane to ascend the mountain again. and occupy the
same position the 22d which was executed imme
diateN So the enemy could us, they opened
most calling fire upon the whole command; which was
promptly returned with great effect could plainly
see And would here remark, that few minutes after
daylight the enemy were reinforced by two strong reg-
ments of infantry swelling their numbers on the noun
tains least three thousand effective Notwith
standing the great superiority of their numbers the rifle
men kept up deliberate and welld directed fire upon them
for five hours, without yielding foot OF ground had
received orders from Brgadie General Lane, that in the
event we were compelled yield to superior numbers to
come down and form upon the I'd Indiana regiment Al
about IL o'clock received notice that the I'd Indiana
regiment had been compelled TO retire before vastly supe
rior numbers proceeded TO point where could see
the movements OF both armies the plain and discovered
that all hope cut of for forming the ID reg iment
and seeing about one thousand lancers coming at iu
rht OLE hn-n tho. IN
we then occupied and seeing that the enemy had by
this time forced their way around US on the left, and
large body within point blank shot in our front and that
we We're nearly surrounded at this moment heard the
bugle recalling Colonel Marshalfs rtiemen, who were
gallanily defending the left Immediately ordered the
command retire to the base of the mountain and form
upon the top OF the next avine All retired to the point
designated and formed in good order and fired hve or
six rounds their infantry and lancersirng first by
kept them in check although their forces were rapidly
augmenng force being in view for us to form upon
10 aid or protect The little handful was saved by
most timely and gallant charge made by Lieut. Colonel
Fields, of Kentucky cavalry. Upo this moment my loss
twelve killed and twenty-eght wounded; when
the whole command only consisted Of one hundred and
ninety seven The enemy kept close TO the base OF
the mountain; and, after their infantry and lancers ar
rived opposite the spring, they made bold descent
upon the forces at and that point Here, by the
exerons OF several officers, the whole foot force was
rallied and placed on and within the old houses and walls
At this moment Col. MarshalFs and Col Ielfs caval-
ny formed near the spring, made most gallant charge
upon heavy body ancers, and turned their right and
then retired under the protecting fire OF the rfemen and
infantry the houses, &c. which dispersed the enemys
forces in almost every direction AT this moment two
pieces of artillery arrived together with Col Mays squad
ron OF Dragons and by their gallant and prompt action
the enemy fled, AT this moment Col. Beknap rode up
told him if he would order that battery TO pursue the
lancers and infantry, then making reograde movement
along the base of the mountain above that would
take what remained of my rifemen and what infantry
then position, and protect it. He promptly told
M to call ont the men. did so, and was aided by Maj
Trad Of Illinois, and Maj Munroe Of the artillery ac
companied by Col Mays squadron OF Dragons After
the passing OF white flag, the enemy fled; and was
|, ordered by Gen Wool to report my command to Gen
Taylors headquarters to the pass where the ar
tlery were stationed AT this point, owing to severe
injury had received by the falling of my horse, was
compelled to ask medical add The firing having ceased
ON both sides, and being nearly dark was taken to the
hospital have but few to censure; but there are many
who merit the highest praise But leave all this to be
spoken OF BY those gallant spirits who have done honor
to their country long gone by and who so nobly
and successfully conducted this most sangulnary and
bloody engagement knowing that he truly brave are al
ways just
| have the honor TO be, most respectfully
Your obedent servant,
w. A. GORMAN,
Major commanding rifle battalion
Brig. Gen Wool,