Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
HEADauAnrEns DEPARTMENT Prnorr,

HEADaUAnTERs DEPARTMENT PEnorE
i'er0te, October 90, I847
Sin Un the evening oil the 18th Instant learning that Gen
Rea in command Of considerable force Of the enemy A.
Atxco, about ten leagues from this place. ordered move
ment for the next morning o'clock Nv force consisted
OF the 4th Ohio and 4t Indiana regiments Major Lays and
Captain Hentzlemans battalions Col Wynkoops battalion
Of four companies, st Pennsylvania volunteers Canan
Tayors and Lieut. Pralts batteries of light artillery and
squadron OF dragoons commanded by Captain Ford Sd dra
goons About o'clock p. NJ, when near Santa IsahalIa
seven leagues from this place. the advance guard the enemy
was discovered. halt ordered until the cavalry which
had previously been detached hacienda should
arrive The enemy with his accustomed bravado came TO
the foot OF the hill in small parties firing their escopetas and
waving their lances On the arrival of the cavalry forward
movement made by the column. A large deep rayne
appearing the left Of the road Lieut. Col Moore with his
Ohio regiment ordered to flank it, Major Lay with his
battalion leading the advance Our column had scarcely com
menced its movement when signs of confusion visible
among the enemy In consequence of which, the cavalry
was ordered to charge follow them up and engage them until
the infantry could arrive Lieut. Pratt with his battery was
ordered to follow in of the Dragons galop Had
this movement been performed the whole force would have
been ours But by order from Major Lay, Lieut. Pratt
taken from the place assigned him by me- in conse-
quence detained until greater portion of the column had pass
ed then, owing to the nature Of the ground mposs
BILE for his battery to proceed with rapidity
The cavalry pursued the reeatng enemy for about mile
and half skirmshing with them On arriving at small
HILL they made stand and fought severely until infantry
appeared, when they took fight Our artillery fred few
shots soon il came up, but without effect by their
Dragons again ordered to follow and keep engaged
After running fight Of about four miles, and when within
mile and half of Atxco the whole body of the enemy
discovered bill side, covered with chaparra forming
hedges behind which they had posted themselves
airy dashed among them, cutting them down great numbers.
So thick the chapaa that the dragons ordered
dsmount and fight them foot most bloody conflict
sued fatal to the enemy Our infantry for the last six miles
had been saning themselves to the overake the
enemy pressing forward most arduousy, notwithstanding the
forced march OF sixteen miles since o'clock Owing the
the rnal aln
artillery could only advance walk. AS soon the in
anty again appeared in sight, the enemy again retreated
So out horses (he having been broiling
hot all day. that they could pursue the enemy further
The column pressed forward rapidly possible towards
the town but night had already In giving u.s. however,
the advantage OF fine moonlight As approached several
shots were fired at and deeming unsafe risk
fight in an unknown town night ordered the artillery
be posted on hill to the town. and overlooking it. and
open its fire. Now ensued of the beautiful sights
conceivable Every gun served with the apdity
and the crash of the walls and the roofs of the houses when
struck by shot and SHE'LL mingled with the our
artillery. The bright light of the enabled direct
our shots to the most hicky populated parts Of the
After firing three quarters Of hour, and the firing from
the town having ceased, ordered Major Lay and Colonel
Brough to advance cautiously with their commands into the
town. On entering waited upon by the ayuntameno,
desiring that their might be spared After searching the
next morning for and ammunon and dposng of what
was found, commenced my return
Gen. Rea had two pieces of artillery but as he
of approach, he ordered them with haste
Matamoros small eleven leagues beyond The
state their loss in this action to be ZIG killed and 800
wounded. On part, we had killed and one
wounded Scarcely has rapid forced march been
made than this, and productive Of better results Axco has
been the headquarters of gueras this section Of country,
and of late the seat of Government Of this State From
hence all expeditions have been fitted against troops.
So much has been impressed upon them thus hav
ing brought to their homes that inclined be-
ieve they will give trouble
The cavalry under Capt Ford deserves my very warmes
thanks The service performed by them Of ardu-
and dangerous character and noby did they
themselves. To Capt Lewis Leuts Waters and Lilly, it
but justice TO recommend them particularly the notice of
the Department for their gallantry Also Lieut. Martini Sd
dragoons commanding for the time Capt Fords company
behaved in handsome manner. To the commanders of
giments and baaons Capt. Taylor, Sd artillery, and
Lieut. Pratt, I'd artillery, commanding batteries of light
tley, under great Indebtedness To Lieut. Sears I'd
artillery, acting A. A. g., for his prompness and efficiency
throughout the day in carrying my ORDERS also my highest
thanks due Lieut. Douglas Ohio regiment (my aid,
Lieut. Henderson, Louisiana regiment Lieut. Grooms Ohio
regiment and Lieut. Mcdonald, assistant quaremaser de-
my thanks for efficient service during the day. Tony
secretary, Mr. A. Phelps, my thanks DUE To Doctors
Reynolds Newton, and Lamar, must tender my thanks.
On return, when Cholua learning that two pieces
Of artillery had just been finished Guexocingo, deermin
ed to proceed thher and took with portion Of Colonel
Broughs and Col Wynkoop regiments, and part Of Cap
tain Heinzeman's battalion and Capt. Taylors baery-n
ALL $50 made thorough search Of the town the
had been removed but their carriages found and
destroyed.
On my entry into the town, party of the enemy
cen, but retreatng precpitatey.
The next morning. without interruption, returned to
oueba.
have the honor be, sir, very respectfully your
'bedient servant JOS. LANE, Brig. Gen.
Hon. w. L. Manor, Secretary of War.
AN OcTOCFN ARJ,N