The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-11-17

q did not have Il muskcD and joined the
ranks. We marched till IL or | o'clock at
night through mud, and rain, and then halt
cd within few hundred yards Of tn, ene-
my's line to await the approach OF day.
About in tho morning Colonel Riley's
Brigade charged the breast works, and
question if the world has ever seen more
gallant charge, For few moments the
discharge of muskctry in,erminglcd with
the roar Of the deep mouthed cannon was
terrible. In Il short time however the route
was complete, for who could withstand the
impctuous advance of our veterans. Gen'l
Shiclds's Brigade commanded the road
leading from the fortifica,ions 20 the city
and was ordered 10 Gu; Of the retreat True
to the commaul we rushed on the rctrcatng
foe. The New York Regiment was on
one side Of il ravine and we on the other,
our Reg mcnt being nca rest the battle field.
The enemy not wishing to pass our CALLING
fire, rallied behind wall and gave us fight.
But the we'll directed fire of our men soon
vinced them that it was not SAFE to stand
fire in front ana rear both ut tho same time
SO they threw down their arms and surrcn
dercd as prisoners. Our Regiment alone
(it is reportcd) killed in this engagement
l36 and took over 200 prisoners. This was
the fist regular engagement l ever was in.
| We were shot 1T whilst round the wa II ut
Vera C:uz, but We could not return the fire.
| There we had Il foe within musl1ct range
drawn up against us-you would have boen
pleased to sec how gal!antly our Abbcvilc
boys conducted themselves. More than
once during the engagement saw horse
at full speed Shot from under his rider by
ono man and the escaping foe killed by
another. party of 5000 lancers were on
the heights near us looking on. Doubtless
the dastards congratulated themselves that
they were out of so hot n place, sure am
that they made no effort to get into it. We
had IN this engagement only one man
wounded Scrg't Walters of Captain Mof1a,s
company, not dangerously. 1t is strange
that out OF so many rounds so little damage
was done; but the Mcxicans alway at close
quarters shoot too high. In the engage
ment ofthe morning Colonel Riley hardly
lost man. Near 1000 Mexicans were
! killed and wounded. The Rifles did, per
haps tho greatest exccu.ion-their fire is
deadly beyond conception.
Well, this was our mornings work, and
we were well satisfied with what we had
done. After resting n while, we commen-
ced the march on one of the main roads
leading to the city. For several miles a
scattering fire was kept up without any dam
age to our side. On reaching little vii
lage Isl. Angel, where we now arc) we
noticed a very large body of Infantry march.
ing out from the city, as we thought with
the intention Of attacking us. True to our
purpose, we advanced to meet them half
way. but VIC soon found that we were mis-
taken in their intentions. St. Antonio is a
strong position, commanding one of the
main roads to the city. Gen. Worth with
his command was sent against this position
Alter It was ascertained, however, that
Gen. Valencia had lost the day at Cou,re-
ras, and that a large force (rwiggs's and
Pillows Divisions and Shields's Brigade)
were marching to their rear, the enemy
abandoned his position at San Antonio and
CONNIE need, as we thought, retreat to the
city. Gen. Twiggs's Division advanced to
intercept the retreat, but before he had
gone far, lie came in contact with one of the
strongest positions of the enemy. There
were two Notifications, one around an old
church called Churubusco, and the other
commanding the road from San Antonio to
the city, both as strong as they could be,
and well defended by many pieces Of the
best artillery. The troops we saw march.