Washington telegraph., 1847-05-05


divisions, each Of two ogimens--eacl
division in two lnes--ihe divisions in rear
oi each other, Thus advancing to the
edo olthe raYine, the font division moved
4 lillle way down its slope, the second far
enough above 10 fire over il, and the third
remaining on The crest Of the ridge, and
opened hot fire from the whole body
The lllinoians received three YoIloys, and
then roso and fired upon them. The at
tack on tho Cd Indiana, was made in the
Same manner. Tho Illinois regimen,
stood firm in line until they Ind expended
twenty rounds Of cartridges; bul The Indian.
ians, after Two or three rounds, found the
fire so hot, that they broke and fled in disor.
der from the field; whcroupon the force op.
| posed to them crossed tho rayine and moved
on Slss'll's flank and bis men then retreat.
ed in disorder INTO the raviue in their rear;
where, except about 100 who were seen
no more during tho day, by strenuous eSer.
tons Of Col liissell and Lieut.. Col. Nor.
fson, they wure rallied.
In The meantime, seeing thai no attack
On tie right, Mckee and Brasg wero
brought over from beyond tho ray.no; and
the iormor marched upon the rear Of Bissell.
10 his aid, and, the lllinaiuns ralIying on
his right they emerged from the rayinc,
ani with u fierce fro lorced the enemy
back into their own rayne. During this
Lieut.. Ruckef with Stoen's squadron made
gallant charge aud drove back part ofths
enemy aud the Sd Indiana regiment was
brought into lra but forced TO retreat. anI
the enemy reinforced and pressing yigor.
ous ly on Mckee aud Bssell, again forced
them 10 retire and take shelter in lhsIf
friendly rayine in their rear.
The enemy's skimisbors drove ours from
the mountains, and battery was eslab.
lished 10 play against US on our leil--while
heavy bodies of the enemy commenced
moving along our left flank, cavalry and
inlanty. Tha hailay on our leI, SO
plagued tho Arkansas cavalry. that Col.
iell ordered It 10 retreat a little way in
aflef to avoid the eaunon range. Intending
then 10 await charge of the lancers sup.
porting the battery, But the men untlurht
10 manUuyre, anl totally ualiseiplined
understood the Wni retreat. Ia b. an order
70 make, each man the best al his WAY 10
the rear anl tuned anil ran off in gr,lr
confusion. Col. Yell, who behaved mos
gallaniy, the Aljalanl, nov LIeal. Colonel
Mears, MeNiear the QuaHemaHri Ser
giant, aud oihefz. succeeded IN alAns
portion oi them. an Hh' apnraa= =hing IN
GERS refined on laaIf showing im lram
About the lma iIna Col. Marshall. nai
menl W. mueh dispersed. IN tie .ims
maaaer The liTnishors led from the
mountains IN ullsf saniusion, and a great
mlny Of themIan TO Saliillo, including ono
Captain Of the Arkansas regiment II is
zail the order Va understood 10 be 10 ne.
~ 10 SatIia. think thai IS probable.
The others lei IN iha rancho and were no
m1re seen IN the field.
Il was at tbs time We came on the field.
Gen. Taylor Immediately rode upon the
ridge, conspicuous on a white horse -
Nay squadron l1uned in lina. liring up
The bill on the north side Of il, retired ifum
the enemy's fire. Capt, Pike was about
10 form bis squadron On bis left, but hr
was directed By an aid De camp. to TAX,
position further 10 the lei, in rear Ola bat.
terry which was playing on the enemy lle
attempted 10 do so, but tho lnlianians of
bowi1i regiment were then IN iali ',irrar,
running down tho rayino at the foot ul the
ridge on which our men were 6nnng
Capt. siccn, standing on the ridge va,
calling 10 them TO stop anl rally: and tho
sides o! the ridge were so steep lha, the
horses could no, keep their ilotholl IN line.
aud We were compelled TO llll back 10 the
bottom Of tho ayine TO form. While this
was doing, Maj. X. $. Dix passed Us, AMI
told Capt. Pike the day was going agains,
a.. Capt. Steen directed Us TO dismount.
aud form on tho ridge on iool-and wo dis.
mounted and fastened onr horses to bushes.
Tho aspect Of thiags was now most
alarming. Our men wero mixed up with
the Indiana !ugiiiycs who filed the rayine.
numbering two men 10 their one, and were
ia every other direction flying from the field
throwing away their arms, and some even
crying Ike children Tor terror. feared
that our men would be panic. struck anil
join tho fleeing die. But no-thcy had
been too well disciplined ior that. A. lhci.
Captains ascenlcl the bill and called on
theta to follow, eyeg man marched steadily
up aud formed in line on tho summit. with
al tho accuracy OF parade. llundrods Of
balls wcSo wbIsilng over and around them.
Our whole force seemed to be retiring
'rhe roar Of cannon and the yollcy, Of mus.
kerry were incesani.
Just then the Mississippi regiment moved
steadily and deliberately up tho ridge, into
the Siounihg ba,te. Col. Lanes reai.
mcnl, urged by brave officers, among 9th.
es Maj. Bradford Of the Mississippi rcgi.
meni, rallied and stood firm. The two
Illinois regiments and McKec's CALAMITY
renewed the dghi. A strong body Of Ian.
GERS swept down on tho Mississippians, at