The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-04-20


recting their course towards the Salullo
road. were met by the remainder OF Col.
Ielfs regiment and Marshall's Kentuck-
ians, who drove them towards the noun
tains on the opposite side of valley.
where, from their appearance when last
visible, il may be presumed, they are still
running. In this precipitate movement
they were compelled to pass through a
rancho, in which many of our valiant
comrades had previously taken refuge,
who, from this secure retreat, opened
quite an effective fire upon them. 1t IS
reported. moreover, that hundreds of the
Arkansas cavalry were so we'll satisfied
with the result Of this single effort, that
they deemed it unnecessary to make an
other, and accordingly kept on their way
TO town, and there reported Gen. Taylor
in full retreat.
At this time the Mexican force was
much divided, and the fortunes of the day
were with US. Santa Anna saw the cri-
sis, and by craft and cunning sought to
avert it. He sent a white flag to Gen.
Taylor, desiring TO know "what he want
ed" This was at once believed TO be a
mere RUsE TO gain time and re-collect his
men, but the American General thought
fit to notice it, and Gen. Wool was de)u-
ted to meet the representative of Santa
Anna, and 10 say to him that We "wanted'
peace. Before the interview could be
had, the Mexicans themselves r~e-opened
their fires, thus adding treachery of the
highest order to the other barbarian prac-
tees which distinguish their mode of
warfare. The flag, however, had accom-
plished the ends which its WHY originator
designed, for though our troops could
have electually prevented the remainder
OF his cavalry from joining the main boz
dy, it could only have been done by a
fire, which, while the parley lasted, would
have been an undoubted breach of faith.
Although a portion of the ~lancers during
this interim had regained their original
position, a formidable number still re-
manned behind. Upon these the infantry
opened a brisk fire, while Revnolds's ar
tilIery, beautifully served, hailed the grape
and canister upon them with terrible ef-
feet.
The craft Of Santa Anna had restored
his courage, and with his reinforcement
of cavalry he determined 10 charge our
line. Under cover of their artillery horse
and foot advanced upon our batteries
These, from the sm~aIlness Of our infan-
try force. were but feebly supported, yet
by the most brilliant and daring efforts no
bly, maintained their POSITIONS. Such was
the rapidiiy of their transitions that Off
GERS and pieces seemed empowered with
%ubiquity, and upon cavalry alike, wher-
ever they appeared, they poured so des-
truciiye a fire as TO silence the enemy's
artillery, compel his whole line to fall
back, and soon to assume a sort of U
QUI PEgT movement, indicating any thing
but victory. Again, our spirits rose
The Mexicans appeared thoroughly o
ed; and while their regiments and dlvls-
ions were flying before US, nearly all our
light troops were ordered forward, and
followed them with a most deadly fire,
mingled with shouts which rose above the
roar of artillery. La this charge the first
Illinois regiment and Mckee's Kentuck-
ians were foremost. The pursuit was
too hot, and, as it evinced too clearly our
deficiency in numbers, the Mexicans, with
a suddenness which was almost magical,
rallied and returned upon us. They came
in myriads, and for a while the carnage
was dreadful on both sides. We were
bu. a handful tooppose the frigh,Iul mas
ses which were hurled upon US, and could
as easily have resisted an avalanche Of
thunder5ol;s. We were driven back, and
the day seemed lost beyond redemption.
Victory, which a moment before appear
ed within our grasp, was suddenly torn
from our standard. There was but one
hope, but that proved an anchor sure and
steadlast.
While our men were driven through
the %ravines, at ihe extremi.ies of which a
body of American lancers were stationed
to pounce upon them like tigers, Brent and
Whiting, Of Washington's battery, gave
them such a torrent of grape as to put
them to flight. and thus saved the rem
nants Of those brave regiments which had
long borne the hottest portion of the fight.
On the other flank, while the Mexicans
came rushing on like legions of iends,
the artillery was left unsupported, and
capture by the enemy seemed inevitable;
bat Bragg and Thomas rose with the crl-
sis, and eclipsed even the fame they won
- y
and Brian proved themselves worthy
of the alliance. Every horse with OBrI-
ems battery was killed, and the enemy
had advanced to within range of grape,
sweeping all before him. But here his
progress was arrested, and before the
| showers of iron-hail which assaIled him,
squadrons and battalions fell like leaves
in the blasts Of autumn. The Mexicans
were once more driven back with great