Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-09-29

/.
severity of its fire BY the favorable posi.on
of the gtoucnd. AS soonas Colohef Riley3
ascended the Hill and cenfe inFfuH view eof1
the enemy, they ainfaedtaie opened a
warm fire upon him. eaonel Riley threw
out histwo advanced divisions as skirmish-
ers, and said forward Now, boys, givel
them he'll close in thsm and let the
ayonet do rs work n hss coaamandl
rushed doWn the Slope y iElIs~a desperatfonI
and enthusiasm enough TO strike terror to
the heart. ofthe boldest, while the rear of
his command moved steadily forward in SOL
id block, with the.most mechanical precis-
ion. The sappers and miners and the RI
fie regiment, which had been thrown a.
cross rayine intervening between the one
they had passed up, and under the brow of
the slope which Colonel Riley came down
from that position. poured in fire which
swept in front Of Colonel Riley's column,
then inclining towards their left, joined in
the attack on the troops outside of the left
flank of the fort. General Cadwallader
followed the route taken by Colonel Riley,
and, as soon as his troops were formed,
moved on 10 his support The first brigade,
which was bringing up the rear had been
ordered to follow the same route; but while
il was on its march by the right flank up
the ravine. and nearly opposite the fort,
General Smith ordered the brigade to face
to the left, and advande in line to attack
the enemy's force in flank. This move
ment was executed in less time than it
takes me to write it. They met the ene-
my outside Of the fort, just as Colonel Ri
lev's brigade rushed into it; the enemy was
completely routed, and commenced pre-
cipitate retreat; their cavalry and infantry
had been formed to receive the charge,
but both were compelled to give way to the
bay onet; the route was most complete, anu
the victory most decided; but while Rlley's
brigade took possession of the works, and
planted their colors upon it, the other force
!, continued the pursuit down the road The
retreating force had to pass near where
General shields's brigade was placed to in
tercept them. They, however, were not
aware of it until they received the we'll d
rected fire of the South Carolina regiment
which moved them down like grass before
the scythe. ..... -..-.... ... ...,
/. The enemy had been completely decev
ed in reference to the position. of General
= Shields's brigade and Tire balance of the
force, by the sagacty of the General. AT
J ter General Smith moved off to attack the
=. work, General Shields caused his men te
4 build fires over the ground occupied by the
: troops during the night, as if the men were
preparing their breakfast, which led The
: enemy to believe our troops were still il
a force in the village. This also led him te
t believe that we were going to carry intc
: execution the attack we were meditating
: the night before. Accordingly the nigh
before he placed batteries along his line
t and in the morning moved detachments for
n ward to take in flank the attack he suppos
= ed we would make ut daylight; and how
5 great his surprise must have been, whel
t the first thing he saw in the morning wa
t Colonel Riley moving down the slope, hav
!. having already turned his strong hold
y But all doubts were soon dispeiled by tn
o capture Of his works, and the dispersion O
S his army. They were met at every poin
o by the skil(ul management and energy Q
g General Shields, whose command compel
. ed them to fly in every direction, som
h taking to the broken and craggy rocks
q some to the ravnes while others depende
); upon their heels, and made most excellen
10 time across the fields. One of the most ST
y gacious movements made by Mexican o.
e icer was made at this place. Alter
d large portion Of the Mexican army ha
o passed through very narrow pass, an
y our troops after them, he formed squae
II ron of lancers in the pass, laid down the
% arms and surrendered; thus efecting tn
le escape Of those who had passed through
y those of our troops who were nearest hay
g ing to take possession of the prisoners an
is guard them back; and before another fore
h could go in pursuit, they were out Of reac
I'd In this fort there were captured % pie
IN es of artillery, mostly large size, a gre
h. number of pack mules, a large quantity
d, ammunition and munitions OF war, and u
7e wards of 1900 prisoners; among the
le were several officers of high rank. I'll
be enemy left dead upon the field, which v
lg have buried, upwards of 70O-but his 10
&C. was certainly much heavier, as the Me,
nd cans were still burying their friends VIII.
ed | passed over the battle ground two days
es go; there were many more killed wht
'at the rifles engaged on the 18th than we HI
ke any idea-their unerring aim told wi
it powerful effect The troops in the fe
1t were commanded by Valencia, those OF
side by Santa Anna.
th, Among the highest achievements Of t
to- mornings engagement, was the re-captu
as of the two Buena Vista six Founders, /
OF longing to Captain Washington's bate,
cir by one of the light companies of the sal
so regiment. They now stand before t
he door of General Twiggs, and hope wh
M he shall meet his old friend General Tayl
he we will have present these beautiful t.
got phies to claim the congratulations
ere the small arms taken were Immediately {
nld stroyed.e
tit The arms were secured and a detac
ing ment left to protect the ordnance, ann
be nition, and prisoners-the column form
ade for the purpose Of pursuing the enemy, "
:ol- had been met by force from San Ane
on when General Twiggs arrived and orde
md speedy and most vigorous pursuit of
the enemy, which was Immediately done--G
md eral Shields's brigade in advance, n
av- General Twiggs's division, and the r
n. division