The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-06

vas perceived advancing from his entertainments pre-
vent our sezns upon these heights but by rapid move
nen OF the battery it was quickly drawn fromits mask
md sezlng upon favorable position, protected IN tue
tearby marsh from the attack OF large body OF Inc
nemys cavalry ascerained TO be hanging on our rear II
vas formed, and at opened fire upon the enemy
avalry rapidly advancing upon Al this moment his
hanging column about 900 yards distant, and the Ell
ecl OF our strap and shells such as 10 break his
anks and throw his cavaly into confusion. he enemy
rapidly depoyed into line, bringing up his artillery
rom the entertainments. During this time our line was
repairing Tor charge my artillery advancing BY hand
md firing The enemy now opened heavy fire OF can
upon line, mainly directed upon the battery, but
With little effect.
Lieutenant Dorm had his horse shot from under him by
pound ball. at this stage OF the action, and several
mules and in the merchant wagons our
wounded and killed, which, however. was the only dam
ge done The lire OF our cannon at this time had such
good effect TO dsmoun one of the enemys pieces and
completely to dispense his cavalry, and drive HIM from
MS position, forcing him again 10 retire behind his en-
uenchments. For short time the firing on either side
now ceased and the enemy appeared to be moving has
and wounded whilst our line prepared to change
ur position towards the right, for the purpose OF
occupying advantageous ground Our object beng
soon gained, the order TO advance was gwen, and I'M
nedatey after directed 10 send the section OF how
tiers TO support charge upon the enemys lett I'M
nediately ordered Captain k. H. Welghlman to deiach
the section composed of two l2-pound mountain how
tiers mounted upon carriages constructed especially Tor
eld prairie service, and drawn by two horses each
these commanded by Lieutenans +. +. Chouteau
and +. d. Evans, and manned by some twenty men,
whose conduct in this action cannot be too much com
mended. Captain Weghtman charged at full gallop up
the enemys left preceded by Captain Reed and his
company OF horses and alter crossing ravine some 100
yards from the enemy, he numbered the guns within so
Yards OF the entertainments and opened destructive IRE
Of canister into his ranks, WHICH was warmly returned
but without effect Captain Weightman again advanced
upon the en,renchment passing through IT in the lace OF
the enemy and within few feet OF the dtches and IN
the midst OF a cross fire IRON three directions again open
ed his fire to the right and left with such effect that with
the formidable charge OF the cavalry and dsmouned men
Of your regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel Nll'ches
escort the enemy were driven IRON the be5tworks on
right IN great confusion.
AT this time, under heavy crossre from the battery
upon Cerro Sacramento, | was advancing with our
battery OF four 6pounders, under Lieuts Dorm krbben,
and Labeaume, upon the enemys right, supported by
Major Gilpn on the LETT and the wagon tram, escorted
by two companies OF infantry under Caps. y. } elias
gov and Skillman, in the rear, when MAJOR Gllpin
charged upon the enemys centre, and forced him from
his entertainments under a heavy fire OF artillery and
small arms at the time the fire OF our battery was
opened upon the enemys extreme right, from which
continued fire had been kept up upon our line and the
wagon tram. Two OF the enemy's guns were now soon
snounted on their right; that battery senced, and the
enemy disolge1 from the redoubt on Cerro Frloles.
Perceiving boiy of lancers forming Tor the purpose OF
out Thanking our left and attacking the merchants wag
under Capt Glasgow, again opened upon them a
very destructive fire of grape and spherical shot
which cleared the left of our lines the enemy, va
eating his entertainments and deserving his guns was
holly pursued towards the mountains beyond Cerro
Frijoes, and down the Arroyo Seco to SACRAMENTO by
both wings of the army under Lieut. Col Mitchell, Ii
Col Jackson, and Major Gilpn, and by Capt. Weight
man. with the sections OF howilzers. During tins pur-
suit my officers repeatedly opened their fires upon the
treating enemy with great effect To this flight Of
the enemys forces from the entrenched camp the heav
est of his cannon had been taken from the enrench
mens to the Cerro Sacramento, and heavy ire opened
upon pursuing forces and the wagons following in the
rear TO silence This battery, had the honor TO antic
pate your order to that effect by at occupying the
nearest of the enemy's entertainments, 225 yards dis
tant ami Notwithstanding the elevated position of
the Mexican battery giving him poughing lire
into my cnrenchment, which was not debated,
Al. frat
fire of guns dsnouned one of his largest pieces and
the fire kept up with such brskness and precision OF
aim, that this battery was soon senced and the enemy
seen precptatey retrealins The fire was then contn
ued upon the Rancho Sacramento and the enemy's am
munton and baggage train retreatns upon the road to
Chihuahua By this fire the house and several wagons
rendered unienable and useless. BY this time Lit.
Col Mitchell had scaled the hill followed by the section
OF howitzerS under Capt Welghtman, and the last posi-
ton OF the Mexican forces taken possession OF by our
troops, thus leaving the American forces masters OF the
field. Having sencel the fire from Cerro Sacramento
our battery was removed into the plain at the rancho
where gained the roa and in pursuit OF the enc
my when received your order TO return AMI enca mp
within the enemys entertainments Tor the night From
the time OF first opening my fire upon the Mexican cava
ry 10 the cessation OF the firing upon the rancho and bat
terry of Sacramento, about three hours, and during
The whole time of the action take the utmost pleasure
in stating that every officer and man of my command dii
his duty with cheerfuness GOODNESS and precision, which
is sufficiently shown by the admirable effect produced by
their fire, the great accuracy OF their aim, their expelien
cy and ingenuity in supply deficiencies in the field during
rendered still more remarkable from the fact that had
during the fight less than twohrls the number OF can
generally required for the service OF light artillery
and but four of the twelve artillery carriages belonging
my battery harnessed with horses the remaining eight
carriages being harnessed to mules OF the country
During the day my staff were of the greatest service,
Adjuant l.. d. Walker having been sent with the how
witZer and the commissioned officers remaining with
10 assist IN the service of the battery In this action
the troops under your command have captured from the
envy nine-pounder mounted check trail carriage
nine FOUNDER FOUNDER and seven ourponnd
er guns, all mounted stock trail carriages Their
pieces all manufactured in Chihuahua, eXcepthe SIX
FOUNDER which Is old Spanish piece. Three OF the four
Founders made at the mint in Chlhuahua seven OF
the pieces spiked but have been unspkel since
in the action; entirely dismounted and seized by my
aduanl whilst IN the act OF being dragged from the field
by the reircating enemy. There also taken two
pieces OF artillery, mounting three wall pieces OF IA inch
caiber each, and these formidable weapons upon
charging force. With these twelve pieces OF ar
tery was taken due proportion OF ammunition,
implements, harness, mules, &c, and they may
be rendered serviceable by being properly repaired
and manned, for which purpose | would ask for
further reinforcement OF my command. 1t Is with
feelings of gratitude to the Rner OF all battles that have
now the honor report that not of my command
has been hurt nor any animals with the exception Of
one horse, killed under Lieut. DORM chief OF the first
section of 6pounler guns, and OF mule belonging to
the United States, shot under Of the
neither has gun carriage OF my battery been touched
except in one instance, where amne.pound ball struck
the tire OF a wheel without producing injury This
fact worthy OF notice. that little damage done TO a
command greatly exposed to the enemys fire. and of IL
self male point OF attack by the enemy, II | may so
by the showers OF and other shot constantly
pourel into long the enemy continued TO occupy
instances of personal courage and good conduct of the
men OF nv command as well of the intrepid bravery