The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-12

SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
ST. LOUIS, Mo, April %, lsA7.
enclose you a rough copy Of a sketch of the bat
Major Merriwether Lewis Clark of the artillery the
copy which send Is in its main features faithful 1t
debted TO George Clark, Esq, of this city, who is
brother of the Majors
THE PARTICULARS OF THE BATTLE.
HEADQUARTERs BArrALIAN MISSOURI
LIcur ARTILLERY,
Camp near Chihuahua, Mexico March J, lSi7.
To Col. A. w DoSIrnAs, Commanding .american Forces
in the State Of chihuahua =
SIR-l have the honor to report, that agreeably to
your instructions, ! left the camp SAM on tho
morning of the 2sth ult accompanied by nv Adjutant
Lieut. L. d. Walker and commissioned staff and
proceeded in advance to position commanding full
view of the enemy's camp and situated
was discovered to be in force awaiting approach,
having occupied the ridge and neghborng heights about
sacramento Upon examination, IL ascertained that
his entertainments and redoubts occupied the brow
an elevation extending the ridge between the
this point cross the valley from the elevated ridge Of
mountains in the of the village Of Torreon known
breo de Dios the and through which the Rio
del Nombreo de Dos. This valley is about four miles
in width and enrenched by the enemy entirely
from mountain to mountain, the road to the city Of
chihuahua running directly through its of
necessity passing near to, and crossing the Rio Sacra
mcnto at the Rancho Sacramento a strongly built and
fortified house, with adjoining corras and ut other
closures, belonging to Angel Tras the Governor Of Chi
huahua From observation II ascertained the
enemy had occupied the site between these hills,
and that the batteries upon them supported
by infanryhis cavalry being in advanced positions,
formed into three columns, between the Arroyo Scco
and advance. During these observations the
advanced guard discovering my party approached
rapidly, with the evident intention Of interceptng it,
but being met by that Of troops which had sent
forward, it rapidly reiterated At this time Also the
three columns Of the enemys cavalry the Ar
royo Seco and retired behind their entrcnchments
then approached within six hundred yards of the most
advanced redoubt from which point the enemys orma
ton plainly dscerniblc. The entertainments
sisted of lire with intervals composed Of circular
fropn In Inn ainfar
entertainments between EACH covering batteries partly
masked by cavalry. The redoubt nearest to my posi-
ton contained two pieces Of cannon supported by
raj hundred infantry The enemys right and left
strong postons-the Cerro Frijoes his right and
having high precptous sides, with redoubt command
ing the surrounding country and the pass leading to-
wards Chihuahua through the Arroyo Seco. The Cerro
Sacramento on his left consisting Of pile of immense
volcanic rocks, surmountcd by battery, commanded
the main road to Chihuahua leading directly in front
Of the enemys entertainments; crossing the Rio Sacra
mento ut the rancho, directly under its fire. and also
commanding the road from Terreon Immediately in II 4
the crossing Of the main road the Arroyo
at the point from which my rcconnoiss made
laid directly under the fire of the batteries the
mys right which rendered necessary ascertain the
practcabiity Of route more distant from the enemy
cnrenchments The passage was found TO be practicable
with some little labor and point selected the best for
trains The whole point OF the enemys line of entrench
ments appeared to be about two miles his
men. The artillery being masked, the number and cali
bre OF the cannon could not be Estimated Further,
have the honor to report that the battalion of artillery
under my command composed Of ITO men, and Of
the morning of the battle directed under the d.
recton Of Captain Wcightman between tho two CO.
lumns OF merchants and provision wagons being thus
masked from the view Of the enemy In this column
troops continued the march to within fifteen hunored
Yards the most advanced postion direc-
ton was then changed the the column
the Arroyo Seco without reach Of the eneys
fire. rapidly advanced towards the table land between
the Seco and Sacramento At this time the enemy
perceived advancing from his entertainments to
our seiz . upon the heights, but by a rapid movement
ofthe battery IL quickly drawn from its mask, and
sezing upon favorable position protected In the
by mask from the attack Of large body Of the enc
mys cavalry ascertained to be hanging our rear 1t
was formed and opened fire upon the enemysca
valry rapidly advancing upon us Az this time bis
charging column about 900 yards Distant and the
strap shot and shells such as to break
his ranks, and throw his cavalry into confusion The
enemy rapidly deployed into line, bringing up his
artillery from the entertainments During this time our
line preparing for charge-my artillery advancing
fire Of cannon upon line, mainly directed upon the
battery, with little effect Lieutenant Dorm had
his horse shot under him by nine pound ball, at this
stage Of the action, and several mules and oxen in
the merchant wagons in wounded or KILL
ed, which, however, was the only damage dome
feet as to dismount of the enemys pieces and COM
Pletely to dispense his cavalry and drive him from
his position, forcing him to again retire behind HIS
entertainments. For short time the firing on either
SIDE now ceased and the enemy appearedto be removing
MS cannon and wounded whilst our line prepared to
change our POSITION and move towards the right for the
purpose OF occupying advantageous ground Our
OBJECT being soon gained, the order to advance was
gwen and Immediately AFTER was direcedto send the
section OF howtzers to support charge upon the
my's left. ] immediately ordered Capt. X. H. Weight
man 10 detach the section composed Of two l2pound