Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-17

driven from their position and, / think with con-
siderable loss. Here. as had previously intended
ordered the troops to cncamp. The wagons were
placed in safe position, the white covers taken
OIL the horses placed under shelter and every thing
disposed for a quiet nights rest, which my men
so much required. At three o'clock next mor
ming had the men under arms, and detached LIT.
Wvche with part of his company through the
chapara, to gain a position on the hill side to be
ready when the enemy should advance to the
attack. Just at daybrake they appeared on the
hill with drum beating and firing into our camp
did not return the fire but ordered Capt Halle
with his company to pass up the bill to the left OF
the road and gain their flank. They continued
their music for about twenty minutes, when Capt
Halle suddenly fired upon them and was after them
with the bayonet, much to the amusement of our
troops. who could see them from the opposite side
of the bridge. 1t Wyche had gained his posi-
ton and was laying in wait but they did not ap-
preach sufficiently near. Iheld the hill with my
Infantry until the traia was ready to move | was
now within about three miles of Puento NaciOnal.
The enemy had attacked US three times in force,
and was always routed, without the loss, on our
part of man. The only loss sustained was one
horse wounded and three muskets rendered unser-
vceable Ivy musket balls. 1t was reported to me
this morning Ivy the wagon master that one of the
mule teams conId proceed no further was COM
PEELED in consequence to destroy my tents and
leave one wagon. The other mules | had no
hope of getting much beyond Puento Nacional,
and had determined that if | did not find Major
Lally near there, to destroy all the wagons and
property, and with four days provisions in the
haversacks, and the mail and ammunition, and
some light baggage in the ambulanccs, to join him
by forced marches. Every thing being in readi-
al,
in the morning Before this time was fully sat-
lsfcd that the enemy occupied Puento Nacional
in force. The tracks Of unshod horses in the road
left no doubt of that. My orders were positive ;
no discretion was allowed ME, and according to
my ideas of military service, I f. 1t bound to pro-
coed in the execution of the order, until it was
proved without the possibility of doubt that it
could not be carried out. My force was too small
to detach any part of it to endeavOr to turn tie"
position. The Mcxicans were appearing on my
flank and threatening my rear. The rcconnoltre
was useless-nohng could be seen. | therefore
determined TO draw the enemys fire from the forts
and heights, and thus discover his strength and
position. l accordingly made my dispositions so
as to sacrifice the least possible number of my
troops. With thirty picked men under the COM
mand of Lieut.. Cheney, 18th Infantry, extended
TO six PAGES. descended towards the bridge. This
detachment was ordered to keep at least one hun
dred yards in front the mounted men. After the
mounted men, with some interval, marched Lieut..
Wychc's company; next came the train, followed
ty Capt. Haic's company. who was ordered to
close on and protect it, in case it should he char
ged. The rear guard, commanded by Lit. MafrelIe.
of cap. FairchiId's comp. followed after cap Hale's
company. | halted the command on the slope of
the hill, continuing to advance myself, with Lieut.
Chrney's command, hoping to draw the enemy $
fire, without further exposing my troops. All was,
however, st--nothing could I've seen. / directed
the advance TO move upon the bridge ordered up
the main body and took my position in person near
the bridge, where could direct the advance or
der retreat, the one might prove practicable or
the other necessary The rear of the command
had scarcely got in motion when the enemy OPEN
| Cd their fire from the forts and heights with mus.
kcs, escoprtS, and artillery, and showed them
selves in such nuqlhers and position that per-
cCivtd at once that Ill passing the Fridge they must
necessarily lnfilC upon such loss IN killed and
wounded that it would be iinpracticahIe for me to
advance retire. | therefore rccted the fire to he
returned aud the retreat commenced; and with
drew my troops from under the fire of this strong
place will the loss of only four men killed and
one man and two horses wounded. One of the
amhuIances was quickly turned and gained the
top of the hill the other in the act ofturning, had
one Of its horses killed. and could not he brought
off. The mules of course more nnmanagea-
bic than ever, and the enemy perceived
that were retiring they concentrated their
whole fire upon the train Half the mules were
almost instantly shot down and the Transfers COM
PEELED to abandon their wagons. The enemy now
displayed strong force outside the fort, and was
moving to gain ar. | now moved off my
command which had been halted at the top of the
hill Just beyond the effective range of the enemy 5
guns, and abandoned the train, which could not
possibly have brought Off nearly all the mules hav
ing been either killed or wounded; and TO have
blown up the ammunition or saved anything from
the wagons would have been to sacrifice men,
which it was now evident had not to spare, and
would have been compelled to leave my wounded,
as | had not the means of transportating them
All the property, as well as the personal baggage
of the officers, was lost, and some dispatches
which ordered Capt. Halle to keep in his trunk
as the safest place, were also lost. The mail in
tended for the army was, however, saved, aud the
only wounded man brought from the field.
The enemy's force occupying the forts l
could not estimate with any degree Of accura-
cy; it was certainly several times my own,
and there was also a considerable force out
side. Nothing was left now for me 10 do but
to force my way through the enemy in the
rear and return by rapid marches to this
place. The enemy appeared on every side du
ring the day, and l was compelled to proceed
with the greatest caution, always holding one
hill until my infantry gained possession of the
next in front, by fatiguing march through
the chapa.ral. This aborous duty fell prin-
cipaIly upon Capt. Halle. continued my
march at night, but after dark met with no
further opposition from the enemy, and aTrlv-
ed the next morning at Santa Fe.
The next day | arrived and encamPed atthis
place. In conclusion, must be permitted to
speak of the officers who so ably sustained me
on this trying march: Capt Halle, of the l4th
Infantry. had frequently to detach on Iabo-
rous and dangerous service, and it was uni
versalIy performed in manner that called
forth my warmest admiration. Lieut.. Wyche,
18th Infantry, though sick. was with his com
pany, and rendered important service. Aeut.
Cheney, 18th infantry, who commanded the
advance on the 10th, Twas compelled toPlace
in most dangerous position at the bridge. &
his GOODNESS and bravery were conspicuous.
To Lieut.. MorreIle, of Capt FaIrchlld :
company, and the twenty brave volunteers
! who composed his command, my than ks are
| also particularly due | had assigned him