The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-05-04
neiacrs frosn Charles A. Ekisa'lel.
Is Miles FROM SALTILLo, MEXICO.
MARCH Sd, 1917.

DEAR BRoTuER:-I received your let
Ger dated 9th January, ON the last day
of February, and | was very glad to hear
from you. Since writing last we have
been marching and fighting. We were
ordered on to Victoria, and after marching
four days, we were again ordered back
10 Monterey, and after remaining there
one dav, we again took up our line OF
march for Victoria, where we arrived az
ter q march Of thirteen DAYS. We en-
cainped there about a week when we
were Joined by Gen. Patterson's com
mand from Matsmoras, and the whole d.
vision took up their march FOR Tampico.
After marching one day, our company
(Bragg's Battery with another battery,
and the Mississippi Regiment Of volun-
teers were again ordered back to Monte
rey. 1t is supposed that our marching
back and forth was all aplan to draw San
ia Anna down this way from San Luis.
We reached Monterey in safety, where
we remained a week, and were then order
ed to Saltillo, four days march-we there
found Gen. Wool's command. Here first
saw Henry Rink, Of Berlin, who joined
Washington's Artillery in Somerset. He
was in good spirits and well c~ontented.
Taylor's command with Wool's encamp-
ed for two weeks about Is miles from
Samltillo on the road leading to San Luis,
nothing to disturb US until the 2lst OF
February, there was a scouting party
out, who discovered the advance Of the
Mexican Army, and in fact our fellows
were very near being taken prisoners;
they escaped however into camp that
night, and next morning we were all or
dered to get ready for marching. We
marched back to within seven miles of
SaltiIlo, where Gen. Taylor took an ex-
eellent position, waiting for the enemy.
The next morHing, being the 22d, the
Mexican army appeared in sight. They
kept coming in all day. In the afternoon
they commenced firing upon us. but we
did moi return the fire much during that
day,-on the next morning our recsiNe
was a FIRE from Santa Annals big gun,
which we returned. and the battle com
Eencel in earnest, and continued all day.
The Mexican Army was $4,000 strong,
and we had 5000. 1t was the hardest
battle we have fought yet. The Next
cana tried several times 10 break our
lines but all to no purpose. Our battery
was all over the 6eld-where ever there
was any danger, there we had to be in
the ihickest Of the fight.
would tell you more about the fight
but you viii see all about it in the papers.
Gen. Taylor sent his thanks to our com.
pany, saying iha! we had saved the army
on three occasions during the day. You
can Judge by that that we had hard fight
ing TO do. The Mexicans took 3 piece:
of artillery from Capt. W~ashingion's Bat
terry. Some OF tie Arkansas and Indian,
Volunteers left the field and run into Sal
lilo. Santa Anna retreated on the secont
night Of The battle on his way back /,
San Lnis, so til supposed, leaving all hi
killed and wounded for the Americans Il
take care of. The Mexicans had owe
1900 killed and 100 wounded; the A
mcricans only eco killed and wounded. :
Tie next day | was walking over the feel
of battle, when among the killed | foun,
poor Henry Rink. shot through the head
He was Killed on tho second day Of tn
fight. You can write to his friends an,
lei them know it.
9 NILES FROM MONTEREY