The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-29


10th August at Paso Oveas. the National Bridge Cerro
Gordo and Las Anmas, near Jalapa. These documents
credable this excellent officer and his gallant
command, and they contain particulars so interesting to
the families of the dead and of the living that we cannot
refrain from laying them before the public Major Lal-
ys letter is accompanied by sub-reports-viz the report
OF the killed and wounded Lieut. Rdgeys report of the
storming party at Cero Gordo on the 18th August and
Lieut. Searss account Of the operations of the battery
in the actions of the 10th and 18th August This last re-
port speaks in the highest of the conduct of Lieut.
Winder and Mr. Twiggs, who have BEEN unfortunately,
lost to their country 'Leut Wnder fell almost at the
first fire, while engaged in pointing piece He was an
able and efficient officer and will be loss to the com
mand Mr. Twiggs, aid to Gen Twiggs, volunteered his
services to assist me. While engaged in giving him
directions, he was shot through the body To the
most daring bravery was joined in his character every
gentlemanly accomplishment The service has met with
severe loss by his DEATH"
HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE u. s. Troops,
Jalapa Mexico, August 81 1917.
SIR have the honor herewith to submit report of
the operations OF the force under my command during its
nn 'om vsra wch e on e 9th
This force consists of companies (H and (K) 18th in
fanty. (C) and 90 sth infantry, 60 % and * 10th
K) vogeurs, Capt Loyals company of Georgia mount
ed volunteers, Capt Besancon's company OF Louisiana
mounted volunteers, and battery of two 6-pounders,
under the command of Lieut. II. B. Sears, I'd artillery
Capt. Besancon's company joined the command the
18th August, and thirteen men of Capt Farchilds com
pany of Louisiana mounted volunteers Joined the 18th
In all. we were little more than thousand strong
Having tram of sixty -four wagons protect, as my
order Of march, placed one wing in front of them and
one in rear having guard OF two companies in the
tire of the wagons with mounted hankers each side
ass:T e.. Cat TasSs ,S $@ssy he left wing
have the satisfaction report the arrival of my COM
mand here, without the loss of wagon, though our
progress has been warmly contested at four different
gagemens, by force amounting, have doubt at the
first attacks at Paso Oveas, the National Bridge and at
Csro GoTdo TO from 200 to 1000 guerilas At the last
affair at Las Animas, this city, smaller force met
us, as they thoroughly beaten at Cerro Gordo
that they could not reorganlZe.
A report had gone abroad that this command was to
convey large quantity OF specie to the army and this
idea used by the chiefs of the department
with great success raising troops contest passage
ct e1s Snnod on s a The whole dis
into the field against and Gen Juan Soto, governor of
the department, with many officers OF rank in the Mexi.
service, headed the troops
We first met at Paso Ovejas on the 10th August, re-
manding officer at Vera Cruz. throughout the morning
long distances to draw after them in fruess search
But soon learned their game, and kept steadily
route They made their principal attack about 2, p m
They had possession OF strong position behind the ruins
of stone house. on hill on right in 'front.' and with
sustained attack in front, they combined nearly the
time heavy attack the centre and rear. The
artillery. under Lieut. Sears, opened effective fire Of
grape and ball upon the stone house
To meet this force in front, the left wing being ad
panes, {Capt CIarks and Lieut. jones' 18th infantry left
to protect the head OF the train charge ordered
but the men new recruits and unused to warfare con con
Guilty they brought to hear the order for the charge
Capt Avord, Of the 4th infantry, A. A. A. G.. dis
tngushed himself by his example OF GOODNESS and
n
the height and stone house in frontand the right from
hf es Can't
charge. which soon drove the enemy from the height
the command, while they made assault upon the head
OF the train This was rePulsed by Capt Winans, 18th
np The attack lasted about an hour nd ha
ton Lear, 5th infantry in command of the centre guard
repulsing heavy charge in the centre.
Early in the attack in front, Capt j. H. Calwell of vol
tgeurs and Capt Arthur c. Cummings, of 18th infantry
fell severely wounded, both heading their companies for
thechage Our loss was these two officers wounded,
and nine men wounded-One of them MORALLY.
On the 18th August, at the National Bridge, we were
again met in force by the enemy; but on approach
only few sggss were perceived the heights be-
ed to be quite deserted but this deceptive. ba-
cade having been discovered the bridge, force
with the two pieces Of artillery which had been unmber-
ed to be moved forward by hand, with polonges Lieut.
Wilkins. with (G) company 18th infantry, his men in
in front Of the artillery upon the bridge The artillery
was followed by Capt Cark's company 10Th infantry,
and Lieut.. Lorngs company 1lth infantry
We had entered upon the second bridge when the
any opened concentrated and very heavy fire from the
hills in front and the right of the town. and from the
castle on the left 1t soon discovered that the art
lery could not bring its roundshot bear upon the bar-
cade under such fire, with all the exertions of its gal
liant commander who had fired few rounds of cans-
ter into the town, and it Withdrawn to the HILL at
the head of the train. There piece obtained com
mandng position to play with round shot upon The castle
on the left. But, while this being effected CALLING
very much those engaged in the removal of the artillery
One piece was dragged by hand up a commanding emf
nence right The fire of the piece in the road
under the charge OF Lieut. RUSSELL 18th infantry and
this demonstration caused the enemy to leave the
castle, and il occupied by detachment of in
antry which had been detached to dsodge the enemy
under Of our fire, but who found It abandoned
when they reached il.
Lieut. Scans, from the hill on our right, poured we'll
directed fire OF grape and round shot upon the hills occu
pied by the enemy beyond and the right of the town.
which did great execution, and served eectuay 10 dis
lodge the enemy. In the meantime, Lieut. Wilkins and
Lieut. Doyle, OF the 18th infantry, and Lieut. Lorng, of
the nth infantry. with parts of their companies had
maintained their ground manfuly the parapets of the
bridge, keeping up fire from behind the walls of the
fhe perseverng fire Of tine enemy Thus was this i'm
ppan position maintained for hours BY those gallant Of
hesrs, until Lieut. Loring, with small party, having
crossed the harcee under the scattering fire OF the en-
my party OF foot and horse advanced upon the
bridge The former removed the barricade and we took
Possession Of the town. the enemy retiring at all points
This about sunset