Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-24
NUMBER rs.
Feo~f dc Ba'apia, N y, spsa of ~ TINA.
Battle Of alloline del Reyv--or
Kings Mills.
1'AcupAyA. Mexico

Il
tired, hungry, etc.; still, will find time 10
drop you line. The day has been hard
and bloody one, though another most qlori.
Gus sie,ery has crowned our arms. This
morning, few minutes afics midnight. and
alter having had short sleep. we were
aroused from our SAUNDERS 10 prepare for
the events Of the day. At2A. M. we were
In our saddles aud ready for the field. From
this iill 4 a. NJ. we we're waiting for the 9th.
cr columns 70 form, and when so formed ali
marched under cover Of night and the still
ness Of the waking morn on to the battle
held. Not voice was heard nor sound
tell upon the ear as silently our little coIumu
marched on 10 the attack AT Eve minutes
to fi'e, and as the enemy's position was re-
vealed TO Us by the frs, dawn Of day.
heavy report from one of our batteries on
the right told US that the action had COM
menced. Casting my eyes in that direction
was struck with the grandeur and sublim-
ity Of the scene shall long remember h;
The occasion, the stiffness, the calmness OF
the hour, the vivid fash, the laundering
roar. the joyful echo, alt gave il deep and
additional interest. But ''siIenily and slow.
" we continued our march," still bearing no
voice or sound from the unseen enemy
Soon this silence was broken, his batteries
now opened upon our advancing columns.
HIS true position ai once became known
only 300 yards separated US. To storm and
carry his outworks was the first object, and
accordingly the charge" sounded along
our ranks. amid thousand cheers, which
seemed not only 10 animate every heart with
10y, but bespeak the glorious triumph Of the
day" on dashed the siorming column Of
900 inen, when. amid shower OF canister
and grape aud torrent Of muskeiry, they
drove the enemy from their guns, captured
all their pieces, and for short time were
masters Of this position 1.-THE enemy's right.
But soon, from severe loss. they were near
being overwhelmed by tie successive hordes
OF the enemy pouring in upon this point,
when the timely advance OF our supporting
columns, nanked by our cavalry aud bal.
terry OF artillery, again turned the tide in
our fayori from this position, also, whilst
the infantry remained not only in possession
Of all they had acquired, but continued TO
drive. inch by inch, the enemy from his po-
siiion among his works, the cavalry, assisted
by two pieces Of artillery, we're actively en-
gagged holding In check the large force Of
the enemy's cavalry with which our left was
now threatened, aud which seemed critical
y exposed to the charging column Of a,
least 5000 lancers.
In this condition Of affairs, and amid a
deafening roll Of muskeiry the action con.
iinued to rage, without cessation. for two
hours and ihirty-hve minutes, when. al thir.
" minutes past seven, A. ~, the enemy he
ing driven from his houses and from behind
ms breast-works, and exposed 10 our fire.
commenced retreat in the greatest confu-
sion to the neighboring corn6elds, noun
tains, woods, and to the city. 1.-THE battle
was won Three cheers now rent the air.
and then three times three 1" A portion Of
our troops gave pursuit, killing aud wound
ing many. Their cavalry, seeing all lost.
retired TO the base Of the mountain and n
A, NJ, having no enemy TO confront, we
too& possession Of the battlefield and re-
NAMED I'LL ?. NJ. to give time to collect
the dead and wounded. During this inter-
val two Of our heavy pieces and few OF
our light troops were constantly engaged
exchanging shots and ceremonies with the
garrison of Chapultepec the latter occa.
sionslly throwing random shot among our
ranks, which passed unheeded as the winds
above our heads.
Thus has terminated the action Of to-day
in future 10 be known as the battle Of
Molino del Rey. BY The report enclosed
you will perceive our regiment suffered
largely, having lost in killed and wounded
about Az men and over 100 horses and
this from command Of about go men
My own horse was shot under me.
The battle has consequently been the
hardest OF the war. Our entire force in the
field did not exceed $500 men. Of whom
not over 1900 or $500 were engaged. The
enemy's force, with the strong reinforce
menis he received from the city during the
night, amounted to from I2 to rs, O0O.-
But, TO say the least, an army of 10 900
has been ronied and driven from the field
and from behind his entertainments by less
than $500 men. On examining the ground
one would almost pronounce il a miracle.
and am at loss to account FOR the truth
except by believing, us l firmly do. that
God has been with us from the beginning.
aud that we have the best troops in the
world.
cannot forbear noticing Two touching
incidents that fell under my observation -
Among the brave and good who have this
day fallen. was my friend Burwell, of the
9Th infantry. lie fell early in the action.
from wound in the leg. On the slight re-
pulse Of our troops he was inhumanly muir
dered by the enemy's lancers. His faithful
dog. beautiful pointer, had accompanied
him there; he also was wounded During
the action he became separated from his
master. Ailer il had subsidized the noble
form Of Burwell, manly as in life, was dis
covered, and beside him aud even licking
his face and wounds was his poor dog, who,
regardless Of his own pain, had sought his
generous master in the hour of danger. and
there. upon The same field, 10 die. The at.
iec,ionaie scene touched the hearts Of many.
Again, alier the fury OF the battle was
over, saw camp woman. Of The infantry,
who came upon the field TO look for her hus.
band. Almost frantic with despair she ran
from one TO another 10 enquire after him,
but getting no information she Immediately
went TO search for him among the slain
Passing from body to body she al length
= =. .