Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-12-02

I
aid, Sd artillery, who was sent with an orde
into the town previous to my entry, aecompa
| MED by Mr. Brady. of the qnartermaster's de
partment He was surrounded by lancers
! but succeeded in escaping.
have the honor to be, sir, very respectful
! ". your most obedient servant.
JOSEPH LANE,
Brigadipr General.
To the AnJUTANr GENERAL U. S. Army,
Washington, ID. &.
Headquarters DEPARTMENT PERoTE.
Per,,e, Oct. 90, lS47.
SIR: On tho evening of the 18th instant
| learning tina; General Rea was in command Of
a considerable force of the enemy at A,lixco
about ten leagues from this place, | ordered d
! movement for the next morning at Ii O'Clock
MY force consisted of the 4th Ohio and 4th In
diana regiments. Major La ly's and Captain
HeintzIenan's battal;ons, Coz. Wynkoop's bat
TALON of four companies. lst Pennsylvania vol
un,eers, Captain Tayor's and Lieut.. Pra,,'s
batteries Of light ar,lRery and squadron OF
dragons, commanded by Captain Ford. Sd
Dragon g. About 4 O'clock, p. M. when neal
Santa Is,b, a. seven leagues from this place,
the advlnce guard Of the enemy was discov-
cred A halt was ordered until the cavalry
(Which had previously been detached to ex-
anime hacienda) should arrive. The enemy,
with his accustomed bravado, came TO the foot
of the Hill in small parties, firing their Escape
las and waving their lsnces On the arrival OF
the cavalry. a forward move was made by the
column. 4 large deep ravine appearing on the
lsfl of the road, Lieut.. Col. Moore, with his
Ohio regiment. was ordered to flank it, Major
Lally with his battal on leading the advance.
Oar columa had scarcely commenced its
movement, when signs OF confusion were vlsl-
bile among the enemy. In consequence of
which, the cavalry was ordered 10 charge. fol-
low them up, and engage them until the nfan-
try could arrive. Lieut.. Pratt with his bate
ny was ordered to follow in tie rear OF the
drlgoons at a galop. Had this movement
be, n performed, the whole ftrce would have
been ours. But by an order from Major Lally,
Lient. Pratt was taken from the place assign
ed him by me, and in consequence detained
until greater portion of the co,'mn had pass
ed, then, owing to the nature Of the ground. 1t
was impossible Tor his battery to proceed with
rapidi'y.
The cavalry pursued the re'reating enemy
for about III /. and half, sk'rnishing with
them. On arriving at a sm.ll hill, they made
a stand and tough, severely until our infantry
appeared. when they took flight. Our artille-
nv fired few shots as soon as it came mp. but
without effect, as by their rapid retreat they
had placed themselves at long range. The
drag"ons were again ordered to follow and
keep them engaged. After running fight of
abont four miles, and when within mile and
a half Of Atlixco, the whole Body of The enemy
was discovered on side hill. covered with
chapparai. forming hedges. behind which they
had posted themselves. Our cavalry dashed
among them. emitting them down in great num-
ers. So thick was the chapparel, that the
dragons were ordered to disnount and fight
them on foot. A mos, bloody conflict ensued j..
fatal to the enemy. Our infantry for the last
six miles had been straining themselves to the
Ht'nost to oversize the enemy, pressing for
ward most ardnously, notwithstanding the
forced march of sixteen miles since l / O'Clock.
Owing 10 the nature Of the road. almost en-
tirrly destroyed by gulies, the artillery could
only advance at a walk. As som as the in
fan'Ey again appeared in sight, the enemy a.
gain reireased. So worn out We're our horses.
(the sun having been boiling hot all dav }
tina; they could pursue the enemy no further.
The column was pressed forward as rapidly as
possible tow asds the town; but night had al
ready set in, giving us. however, the advan-
age Of fine moonlight. As we approached.
several shots were fired at us. and deeming it
unsafe to risk street fight in an unknown
town at night. ordered the artillery to be
pasted on hill near the town and overlook
ing il. and open its fire. Now ensned one of
the mos. beautiful sights conceivable. Every
gun was served with the utmost rapidity; and
the crash of the walls and the ro'fs of the
houses when struck by our shot and shell, was
mingled with the roar Of OR artillery. The
bright light of the moon enabled us to direct
our shots to the most thickly populated parts Of
The town.
After firing three quarters Of an hour. and
the firing from the town having ceased, order
ed Major LAZY and Col. Brough to advance
cautiously with their commands into the town.
On entering. was waited upon by the ayunta-
nientp. desiring that their town might be spar
ed. After searching the next morning for
arms and ammunition. and di.posing of what
was found, commenced my return.
Gen. Rea had two pieces of artillery; but as
snon a. he was aware Of our approach. he or
dered them with haste to Maiamoras. a small
town eleven leagues beyond. The enemv
Bsa.s their own Ices in this sciion 70 be 2l9