Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-04-29

ed rnen rptrearng. when they were brought
into battery an. opened on tae erefry. then
W thin ftiy yards IN bot pursuit, WITH Gan
ister and grape, which brought him % ban
and soon compelled him to 4. hack. In this
TREMENDOUS rontest we have lost three pseces
Of artillery. nearly all the men and horses
having been killed or crippled, which put Z
out Of our power TO bring them of; nor did
deem il advisable to attempt 10 regain them.
The enenv nsade his principal efforts
against our TANKS. lie was handsomely ie-
pulsed in every attempt On our right. but sue
ceeded early in the day in gaining our len IN
consequence OF the giving way ct one Of the
volunteer regiments which could not be rali
ed with but few exceptions, the greater pcr-
ton retiring about mile TO large rancho or
farm house. where our wagons aud a portion
-four stores were left. These were soon af.
ter attacked BY the enemy's cavalry, who
were repulsrd with some loss.
| For several hours the fate Cf the day was
extremely doubtful. so much so that was
urged by some OF The fnost experienced off,
! GERS 10 fall back and take up new position!
This knew ID would never do TO attempt
with volunteers. and at once declined il. The
scene now had become one OF the deepest in
teresl Between the several deep ravines
there were portions Of level land from one to
four hundred yards in extent. which became
alternately points Of attack and defence, after
our lett flank was turned. by both sides. Ehese
extended alcng and near the base Of the noun
tam for about two miles, and the struggle for
them may be very appropriately compared 10
game Of chess. Night put a stop 10 the
contest and strange to saw. both armies occu-
pied the same positions they did in the morn.
ing before the battle commenced. Our auille.
~ did more than wonders. We Law on our
arms allnght. as we had done on the two
previous one, without fires. there being no
wood TO BE- had, and the mercury below the
freezing point, ready and expecting to renew
the contest The next morning; but we found
NJ daylight the enemv had reiterated during
the night. leaving his killed and many Of his
wounded for US 10 bury and take care Of
carrying off every thing else, and taking UP a
position at this place. We did not think il
advisable TO pursue, moi knowing whether he
would renew the attack, continue his retrea,
or wished 10 draw US from our strong position;
but contented ourselves with watching his
movements closely. Finding ON the Goth he
had renewed his retreat. early in the morning
of the 9Th the army was put in motion for
this place. where we arrived about 3 o'clock,
p. M.--iheir rear guard. consisting Of cavalry,
leaving as our advance got IN sight ! al once
determined on harrassing his rear; but on ex-
aiming the state o. men and horses. found
that five days aud nights marching, incessant
watching, and sixteen hours hard fighting,
had so exhausted the first and broken down
the latter. il was next 10 impossible to accom-
plish any thing without rest We remained
quiet here I'm il the I'd instant, when pushed
a command on the San Luis road to large
plantation called Incarnation, where we found
between two and three hurdred wounded in
the most wretched couiltlon. besides those
they carried with them and left here and on
the field. Here We took about ten prisoners.
The man part OF their army having proceeded
on IN the direction Of San Luis in very dis
2r~~-.,arzed condition.
On the 22d the enemy threw in our real
through the passes Of the mountains, 2000
cay airy, and early in the morning of the next
day. the 23d, made the demonstration against
Salllllo and Throughout, the day. They sue
ceeded al oae lime in cutting off the comInu
nication between the city and battle ground.
and making several prisoners. but were driv-
IN away BY the officer commanding in the
city. with two pieces of artillery. covered bv
about sixty men They. however. while in
possession Of the road, prevented good ma
nv nom running of 10 the city, 10 which
place about 200 OF our men had succeeded in
getting previously TO the cavalry occupying
The road--,hey the runaway reporting that
our army was beaten and in full retreat.
The loss on both sides was very great. as
you may suppose--enough so on ours 10 COW
or the whole country with mourning, for
among the noblesi and purest of the land have
fallen. We had 240 killed and $40 wounded
The enemy has suffered IN still greater nun
bers. but as the dead and wounded are scatter
ed all over the country il is difficult to ascer,
, tain their number. The prisoners who have
fallen into our hands, (between 300 and 300
enough to exchange for all who have been
taken from u.s. as well as some medical ofi-
GERS left behind To take care Of the wounded
say their killed and wounded is not less than
1000. and they say perhaps mere.
ho the greater portion OF the good peo-
pie Of the country Will be satisfied with what
we have done on this occasion. fater my
self that our compelling Mexican army Of
more than $4,000 men, completely organ
zed, and led by their chiefmagistraIe, TO re-
treat with hess Than 500regulars and about 1000
volunteers, will NEE; their approval. had
not single company OF rrgulai inianiry-,he
whole WITS taken from me.
was truly gratied TO observe that the
Chief Magistrate Of your State had conferred
upon you the rank oil brlgadier general 10 the
militia. and had hoped the President Of The
United States would have called you into the ser
vice as such with the new regiments, and
hope he may yet do so. as need hardly re
peat the pleasure II would give me 10 be as.
asoclated with you 10 carrying on this war
sTh- road from the city OF Mexico 10 here is
now open. and we only wanta few thousand
OF good regulars, in addition to the volunteers.
TO enable US 10 reach that place. What Effect
our late battle will nave on Santa Anna and
the Mexican Congress. time must determine;
hut sincerely hope il will! lead to peace
One thing is certain: their principal army has ,
become demolished. and il will BE- very difficult
for them to raise and equip another.
rgie',ed To hear yourero OF sugar was
a short one. but sincerely hope. as The failure
of the crop was general. thai The high prices
oblained will fully make up for quantity.
much fear have spun out this long and
to YOU uninieresiirg episie. hey ond your "a. /
Hence even TO wade though II; but have |
the consolation 10 know thai you nre not com |
PEELED TO read the whole or any part OF it,
will conclude by desiring YOU 10 present me
mos, respectfully 10 your excellent lady, as
well as 10 my friend Col. Nicholas, and accept
nv sincere wishes for the continued health
Il h -