The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-27

est interest 10 the people OF the Stae,
will take pleasure adopting the most prompt OF
giving them publicity.
am, very respectfully yours, &C.,
DAVID JOHNSON.
q. ID. COTTRELL, esq.
COL. DICKINsuN'S REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS s c. Regt volunteers,(
San Augustin, Aug. 23d, ls47. )
GENERAL: Early on The morning OF the goth inst Col
Butler in pursuance OF your ORDERS marched his COM
mand from the road running to the south of his quarters
by which it reported many Mexcans retreatng
from the field Of Conteros TO the city Of Mexico Owing
to the thick patches OF maguey and rugged ravne, he
could not reach his position until several hundred of the
enemy had passed AS the regiment emerged from the
ravns into field extending to the road (Which field
was thanked on our right by stone wall, extending to
the road and enclosing an orchard discovered large
of the enemy the road before u.s. and although
beyond our reach until EVERY IN he battalion
had been brought to bear upon them most however,
had broken into an open field opposite, which only the
full musket range of position, mingled groups Of their
cavalry and infantry continued to pass Shortly how
ever we perceived large masses forming in line of battle
under cover Of the stone wall already mentioned and
that large body advancing from the orchard, on
our right flank and rear Colonel Butler Immediately
changed front to the right BY flank movement, and
vanced from under his fire this they returned for
short tme and then retreated Col Butler perceiving
that Others OF the enemy were passing through the field
IN our 'front.' left few files to guard rear-fomed
again on the road, and maintained steady fire upon the
enemy who continued to pass for about twenty minutes
Large bodies of Mexicans then came for ward and sur
rendered themselves to Colonel Butler who seeing other
bodies still coming remained upon the road with three
companies, while the rest OF the regiment in pursuance
Upss very large body Of cavalry appearing in
rear VI the enemy, one hundred and twenty seven 27)
were killed and wounded and two hundred and seven
teen (217) taken prisoners. Among the latter were the
following officers of rank, to wit: One general officer
two staff officers two colonels three lieutenant colonels
tour commentaries three captains and four lenenants
he ardo 6roC IF tho
enemy was one sergeant severely wounded, and one
Capt Marshall, with his company, (E) was left as
guard the prisoners, who were placed in church.
and the regiment, AFTER took up its line of march
the road to Mexico. About the regiment was or
dered to make detour to the left and strike upon the
road short distance beyond the enemys works at
Cheraposa to cut off their retreat reported that
the works had been carried by troops On arriving
on the field after the subsequent action found that
the New York regiment, in consequence of numbers of
horsen and small corps of the hOwizer battery hay
ing intruded themselves betwix us were some three
hundred yards in advance of us, and the ninth infantry
attached for the time being TO- our brigade, nearly the
same distance in rear AZ the proper point pro-
right flank companies were in line we were ordered to
advance-despatch in reaching the road to cut off retreat
being considered OF more importance than regular ad
Before, however one-ha of the companies were
in line. found the New York regiment retiring under
cover OF the hacienda to right, and as soon as our
line was unmasked by this regiment found ourselves
exposed to heavy fire from the road, which appeared
be densely filled with Mexican troops also the hac
enda to the left of the field we occupied and Immediately
the road Aswe had anticipated for the stated
very imperfect order in line of battle obtained
and that appeared now Indispensable ORDER
ed to march BY the right flank as we reached the left
flank Of the New York regiment AS the hacienda did
forming line OF battle in its rear, the battalion
deed 70 form BY companies and TO march in column to
left upon which the general in person had placed him
self there they ordered deploy upon the color
company. The companies Of the left wing formed in
regular ORDER but companies of the right wing were
thrown into confused by the obtrusion Of mis-
Cellaneous troops belonging to different arms of the
service; this was mostly remeded, and the advance
was ordered. The line continued to advance, under
heavy fire, some thirty PAGES in of the general
about $50 yards, when they were halted. The general
had cautioned the men not to open their fire until he gave
the orders; but directly they halted the general took bis
position in line Of battle; and at this time the squad OF
mixed troops upon extreme right, already mentioned
commenced firing and the battalion. supposng the orders
gwen opened its fire. 1t understood by the field
officers 10 have been the generals intention to have made
our battalion the base of formation of the others attached
to his brigade; and thata the whole in ne
they were TO advance within either easy musket range of
the road to charge, he should deem best AS the
firing had already commenced and did not interfere with
The formation OF the other battalion, it permitted
continue AS soon, however, as one two companies
OF the New York regiment appeared marching up to our
right, the order was given to charge, and the battalion
command Of the regiment fhe colonel had been e tca
directly after fire had been opened and the lieutenant
colonel severely wounded few minutes before the
mencement, field officers, staff officers captains u
Geutenants, 20 sergeants, 273 rank and fe after the
BATTLE the number who were unwounded for duty, was
field officer major) captains, IS euenants, IL ser
geans, l09 rank and file The total OF our loss in the
engagement, in killed and wounded, 1856. The
major informed me, that upon reaching the position of
the enemy, he found that they had abandoned it, and
were in full retreat for the cty several companies
IN pursuit. and the others formed the road
The whole were shortly ordered to advance by the gen
cra; but IN consequence OF the large number of killed
and wounded reported to him. the battalion
dered back to the hacienda-now converted into hos
ptal The three companies sent in pursuit were over
taken by piece OF artillery which they supported nearly
to the suburbs OF the city, until they were recalled
Capt Marshall, who reioned the regiment with his
command at this place, reports me- that soon after the
battalion had left the church, where the prisoners were
placed under his charge. finding himself destitute of pro
VISIONS sent detachment of his company forage for
fruit and green corn This detachment surprised party
of Mexican soldiers engaged in the same pursuit The,
killed and captured AZ, whom they brought back and
delivered to their captain This makes the total number
taken at that place 900, which, with 127 killed and
wounded, makes a total OF 3s7 s.V
should be unjust to the officers OF the regiment and 10
my own feelings, were to close this report without &C
tnowedcrg the gallant manner IN which all the grades