Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-04-10

the artillery Of both armies opened its fires and simultaneously
the Mexican infantry commenced rapid and extended dis
charge upon line from the left McKee's regiment Our
artillery beched forth its thunders with tremendous effect,
while the Kentuckans returned the fire Of the Mexican nfan
try with great steadiness and their field officers,
Mckee, Clay, and Fry passing along their line, anma'nB
and encouraging the men by prccept and example The Sc
cond Illinois regiment also received the enemys fire with great
frmness, and returned ample equivalent While the fierce
conflict was going the main body Of Col. Hardins eg
ment moved the right of the Kentucka and the repre-
ssnayes of each State seemed with each other in the
honorable ambition of doing the best service for their country
Both regiments gaany sustained their positions and won
unfadng aures The veterans Of Auserz could not have
exhibited more courage, coolness, and Devotion
In the time the enemys cavalry had been steatly
purfng s way along the mountain, and, though ae
had wrought great havoc among its numbers the leading
squadrons had passed the extreme points DANGER and
almost in position TO attack in At this critical
ment the Indiana regiment turned upon its proper front and
commenced ingloous flight. The efforts of Col Bowles
bring into position vain, and hills and ravines
they pursued their shameful to the great delight of the
enemy, who rent the air with shouts of triumph Several
officers of General Tayors staff Immediately dashed Off to
arrest possible the etreang regiment and restore il again
to reputation and duty Major Dix, of the Pay Department,
formerly the 7h infantry the first reach the deser
ters, and zng the coors of the regiment appealed tile
know whether they had determined deser, them.
He answered by three cheers showing that though the
men had little disposition to become heroes themselves they
nnmndfu of of distinguished galantry the
part Of another. portion Of the regiment Immediately ral
lied around him. and reformed by the officers Dix in
person. then led them towards the ~enemy until one of the
volunteered take the flag. The party returned the
field, and though time repair the disaster which their
,b b,l,
Of the State. While the day, however, by this dsg racefu
panic fast going against us the artillery advanced,
its front extended and different sections and pieces under
Sherman, Bragg, o'Bnen, Thomas Reynolds, Kilburn,
French, and Bryan, working such carnage in the ranks
Of the enemy to make his columns roll and fro like
ships upon the bow.. His triumph at the Indiana retreat
but for moment and his shouts of Joy fol-
lowed by groans of anguish and the shrieks Of expiring
hundreds,
Wahingtons battery the right had opened its fire
and driven back large party of lancer advancing in that
direction. Along the entire line the battle ragged with great
fury Twentyone thousand Of the victims Mexican op-
preston and the myrmidons Of Mexican desposm
rayed against five thousand Americans forth conque
peace The discharges Of the infantry followed each ohe
rapidly than the sounds Of the Swiss Berngers in The
fierce fervor Of finale and the voleys of artillery reverbe
rated through the mountains like the hunders of Apn
storm.
The myriads Of Mexican cavalry still pressed forward
left and threatened charge upon the Mississippi rifles
under COL Davis who had been ordered supporrhe In
diana regiment and had succeeded preserving fragmen
Of it in position. Col. Davis Immediately threw his com
mand into the form Of W the opening towards the enemy
and awaited his advance On he came, dashing with all III
speed OF Mexican horses but when he arrived that po
from which could be the whites OF his eyes, both line
poured forth sheet of lead that scattered him like cha e
ling many gallant sieed to the earth and sending
riders to the sleep that knows waking.
While the dispersed Mexican cavalry rallyng the
Indiana regiment under COL Lane ordered TO Join Co
Davis supported by considerable body of horse About h
time, from unknown eason wagon train dispaye
its length along the Sallo road, and offered conspcuou
prize for the Mexican ancer which they seemed not unw
ling to appropriate. Fortunately Lieut. Rucker, with
squadron OF the s dagoons Capt Steen having been pre-
viously wounded and Capt Eusts confined his bed BY III
ness present. andb by order Of Gen. Taylor dashed
them most brilliant style, dispensing them by his charg
efiecuay the previous fire Of the Mississippi rhemen
Mays dagoons with squadron of Arkansas cavalry unde
Capt Pike, and supported by single piece of artillery unde
Lieut. REYNOLDS claimed their share in the discussion
when the Mexicans had again assembled they had to
counter another shock from the squadrons besides
fire of grape from Reynoldss xpounde The ancers once
more rallied and directing their towards the ao
road were by the remainder Of Col Yes regiment and
Marshals Kentuckan who drove them towards the noun
tains on opposite side Of the valley, WHERE from their ap
pcarance when last visible may be presumed they are still
running In this precptate movement they compelled
pass through rancho, in which many Of valiant comrades
had previously taken refuge, who from this secure retreat
opened quite effective fire upon them. 1t is reported,
moreover that hundreds of the Arkansas cavalry well
satisfied with the result Of this single effort that they deemed
make another and accordingly kept on their
way TO town. and there reported Gen Tay lor in full retreat
At this time the Mexican force much divided and the
fortunes of the day with Santa Anna the cri
sis and by craft and cunning sought to avert il. He
white flag to Gen. Taylor, desiring know what he
ed. This was at once believed to be a mere rle TO gain
time recoec his men, but the American General thought
fit TO notice it, and Gen. Wool deputed to meet the
Of Santa Anna, and say TO him that
wanted" peace Before the interview could be had, the
Mexcans themselves opened their fires thus adding each
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 desgned FOR
though our troops could have eectuay prevented the
mander Of his cavalry from joining the main body, could
only been done by fire. which, while the Parey lasted
would have been an undoubtcd breach OF faith. Although
portion Of the ancers during this interim had egancd their
original position fomidahle number still remained behind
Upon these the infantry opened brisk fire. while Reynoldss
artillery, beautifully served, hailed the grape and canister
upon them with terrible effect.
The craft of Santa Anna had restored his courage and