The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-29

ecuted, most terrific shower of balls fell among us,
from the heights the right the castle on the left and
from the town and barrcade in front Within five min
utes Lieut. Winder and eight OF my men had fallen AT
this moment one OF my cannoneers was shot, and in
falling broke the prmng wire IN the vent, thus disabling
the piece Having but six men left and finding it i'm
possible to elevate the remaining piece sufficiently TO
reach the enemy the heights reluctantly ordered the
pieces to be withdrawn. l only enabled to effect
this object by the assistance of Captain Clarke of the 18TH
who called upon his company TO assist me- The gallant
fellows went of in the utmost order wak-the while
receiving a most terrible fire entirely concentrated on
them, And here must beg leave particularly to
ton the gallant conduct OF Captain Clarke Immediately
on discovering the enemy commenced firing grape but
owing orders having been given to destroy the barri
cade, only four rounds of grape carried forward
begged some OF the infantry lying under the para
pet go the limbers and bring grape but none
would CO. Captain Clarke came from the extremity OF
the bridge, and volunteered to go himself and bring them
Whilst doing so, he was wounded. A drawer more
gallant officer lived AS the pieces with
drawn from the bridge they placed in order but still
finding impossibe to elevate them sufficiently they
removed the summit of the hill in the road While
ascending the hill Mr. Twiggs, who had volunteered TO
assist me- shot dead by my side The enemy showing
themselves in the castle round shot thrown with
much effect 1t still being impossible to reach the enemy
on the heights on the right and deeming practicable
could piece be placed the summit of the hill which
overooks the bridge. Lieut. Rdgely, of the 4th with
hundred men, succeeded after much difficulty, in placing
il there. Here enabled to pour in most destruc
works the heights and large bodies of ancers the
hills in the routed by the round shot After
about an hours firing, the enemy were in full re-
treat During the time we were engaged in drawing up
this piece to the summit Lieut. RUSSELL of the 4h nfan
try, was commanding the piece in the road which
firing upon the castle. AS soon, however, nten
ton of ascending was discovered, the enemy fled from
the castle in much haste. My deserve much credit
for the manner in which they acted Under of the
most terrible fires of muskeuy, doubt not that Ameri-
troops exposed to- not one linched from
his post, evnced disposition to shelter himself be-
hind the parapet which was occupied by the infantry:
Lieut. Winder fell almost at the first fire, while engaged
in pointing piece He able and efficient officer
and will be loss to the command Mr. Twggs, aud TO
Gen. Twggs, volunteered his services 10 assist me-
While engaged in giving him some directions he was
shot through the body To the most daring bravery
joined in his character every gentemanly accomplish
ment The service has met with severe loss by his
death My loss was officer and killed, and
one officer and seven wounded.
have the honor be- sir very respectfully, your most
obedient servant, HENRY b. SEARS,
Lieut.. I'd artillery, comdg battery.
Capt B. ALvoRD, Act Asst Ad't. Gen.