The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-07

Washinxtons battery ON the right had now opened its
fire. and driven back large party Of hangers advaneng
with great fury Twenty thousand of the victims OF
! Mexican oppression and the mymdons of Mexican des
posm were arrayed against five thousand Americans,
sent forth conquer peace The discharges Of the in
any followed each other more rapidly than the sounds
of the Swiss belnngers in the fierce iervor of finale
and the volleys of artillery reverbeated through the
mountains like the thunders OF an Alpine storm.
| The myriads of Mexican cavalry still pressed forward
on our left and threatened charge upon the Mississippi
rifles under Col Davis who had been ordered to support
Col. Davis Immediately threw
his command into the form OF " the opening towards
the enemy and awaited his advance. On he cane dash
ing with all the speed OF Mexican horses but when he
arrived at that point from which could be the whites
of his eyes both lines poured forth sheet OF lead that
scattered him like chat, telling many gallant steed to
the EARTH and sending scores OF riders TO the sleep that
knows no waking
| While the dispersed Mexican cavalry were ralying,
the Sd Indiana regiment, under Col Lane ordered to
Join Col. Davis supported by considerable body OF
horse. About this time, from unknown reason
wagon train displayed its length along the Salnilo
road, and offered conspicuous prize for the Mexican
lancers, which they seemed not unwilling To appropriate
Fortunately, Lieut. Rucker, with squadron of the Isl
and Capt Eusts confined TO his bed by ilIness) was
present, and by order of Gen Taylor, dashed among
them in most brilliant style, dispensing them by his
charge, eiiectually the previous fire of the Mis-
sssippi rihemen Mays dragons, with squadron OF
Arkansas cavalry, under Capt Pike and supported by
single piece of artillery, under Lieut.. Reynolds, now
claimed their share in the discussion, and when the
Mexcans had again ASSEMBLED, they had TO encounter
another shock from the two suadrons besides herce
fire OF grape from ReynOlds's 6pounder The lancers
once rallied, and directing their towards the
Sallo road, met by the remainder of Col Yells
regiment and Marshalls Keutuckans, who drove them
towards the mountains the opposite side OF the valley,
where from their appearance when last visible, II may
be presumed they still running In this precpltaie
movement, they were compelled to pass through ran
cho, in which many of our valiant comrades had prev
ousy taken refuge who from this retreat opened
quite an effective lire upon them.
At this time the Mexican force much divided, and
the fortunes of the day with U.S. Santa Anna saw
the crisis, and by craft and cunning sought TO avert 1t
He white flag General Taylor desiring to know
"what he wanted" This was at once believed to be
mere to gain time and recoect his men, but the
American general thought fit to notice it, and Gen Wool
was depued TO meet the representative OF Santa Anna,
and to say to him that we wanted peace. Before the
interview could be had the Mexicans themselves reopen
ed their fires, thus adding ueachey OF the highest order
TO the other barbarian practices which distinguish their
mode OF warfare The flag, however, had accomplished
the ends which ITS willy originator designed Tor though
our troops could have etecuay prevented the remainder
OF his cavalry from joining the main body could only
have been done by FIRE. which, while the parey lasted,
would have been undoubted breach OF faith Al
though portion of the lancers during this interim had
regained Their original position, formidable number still
renamed behind Upon these the infantry opened brisk
fire. while Reynolds artillery, beautifully served, hailed
the grape and canister upon them with terrible effect
The craft of Santa Anna had restored his courage and
with his reinforcement OF cavalry, he determined to
charge our line Under of their artillery, horse and
of our infantry force but feeby supported yet
by the most brilliant and daring efforts noby maintained
their positions Such was the rapdity OF their trans
lions, that officers and pieces seemed empowered with
ubquy and upon cavalry and infantry alike, wherever
they appeared they poured destructive fire, TO
silence the enemys artillery, compel his whole line to
fall back, and soon to assume sort OF qui pem
movement, indicating anything but victory Again our
spirits rose The Mexcans appeared thoroughly routed
and while their regiments and divisions were flying before
us, nearly all light troops ordered forward, and
followed them with most deadly fire, mingled with
shouts which rose above the roar Of artillery In this
ans were foremost The pursuit was too hot; and il
evinced too clearly deficiency numbers, the Next
cans, with suddenness which almost magical raj
for while the carnage dreadful on both sides Wei
were but handful to oppose the rghtful masses winch
were hurled upon US and could easily have resisted
an avalanche of thunderbolts We were driven back.
and the day seemed lost beyond redemption Victory |
which a moment before appeared within grasp, was
suddenly torn from our standard There was but one
hope; but that proved an anchor and steadfast
While our driven through the ravnes, at the
extremi,ies of which body OF Mexican lancers was
Whiting. of Washngton's battery gave them such a
torrent OF grape as to put them to flight and thus saved
the remnants of those brave regiments, which had long
borne the hottest portion of the fight On the other
flank while the Mexcans came rushing like legions
OF ends the artillery was left unsupported and capture
by the enemy seemed inevitable But Bragg and Thomas
won at Monterey, while Sherman, OBrien and Bryan,
proved themselves worthy OF the alliance Every horse
with BTlens battery was killed, and the enemy had
advanced to within range OF grape, sweeping all before
him. But here his progress arrested, and before the
showers of hail which assaled him. squadrons and
battaions fell like leaves in the blasts OF autumn The
Mexlcans driven back with great loss |
though taking with them the three pieces OF artillery
which without horses.
Thus thrice during the day. when all seemed lost but
honor did the artillery by the ability with which it was
manPuvred roll back the tide of from the enemy
and give such overwhelming destructveness to its effect
that the army saved and the glory OF the American
arms maintained At this moment however, let If never
be forgotten that while every effective was wanted
the field hundreds, say thousands OF volunteers
had collected in the rancho with the wagon tram, whom
efforts entreates could induce to join their brehren
neighbos and friends then in the last struggle for death
victory.
The battle had now ragged with variable for
nearly ten hours, and by of mutual consent after
the last carnage wrought among the Mexicans by the
artillery, both parties seemed willing to upon the
result. Night fell, and the American general with his
troops, slept upon the battle ground, prepared If neces-
sary, to resume operations the morrow But ere the
peared leaving behind them only the hundreds OF their
dead and dying, whose bones when their native
hills and whose means of anguish were to excite IN
their enemies that compassion which can have no eX
stence in the bosoms of their friends
Throughout the action, Gen. Taylor was where the
shots feel hottest and thckest, two of which passed
through his clothes He constantly evnced the greatest
quickness of conception fertility of resource, and cool
unerring judgment not to be baf1ed Gen. Wool was
wherever his presence required, stimulating the
troops to activity and exerton The operations OF Gen
Lane were confined TO his brigade and his efforts
worthy of better material for their application. Maj
Bliss bore himself with his usual gallantry, having
his horse at Palo Alto shot in the head. Mr. Crtten
den a son Of the senator from Kentucky, con-
fall vprn aid IN ri