The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-04

through open prairie valley between the ster
tans The pass of the Sacramento is formed by point
of the mountains right, their left extending into
the valley plain as TO narrow the valley to about
"A miles On our lett was deep dry sandy channel OF
a creek and between these points the plain rises to
sixty feet abruptly This rise in the form OF crescent,
the convex part being TO the north of forces On the
right from the point OF mountains narrow part OF the
PLAIN extends north miles further than on the left
The nam road passes down the centre of the valley and
across the crescent, the left dry branch The
Sacramento rises IN the mountains on the right, and
the road falls on to II about mile below the battlefield
or entrenchment OF the enemy We ascerained that the
enemy had battery OF guns, nine and six Founders,
on the point of the mountain right her elt) at
good elevation to sweep the plain and at the point where
the mountains extended furtest into the PLAIN On our
left (ther right they had another battery eleva
ton commanding the road and three entertainments
Of two six Founders, and the brow of the crescent
near the centre another of two six and two four and SIX
culverns, or rampant pieces mounted on CARRIAGES and
teres and the right and left, they had y redoubs dug
and thrown up extending at short intervals across the
whole ground In these Their infantry were placed and
in front OF the redoubts in the intervals deep and in
front of the redoubts Deep mask them far
as practicable When had arrived within IA miles
Of the entertainments along the main road, advanced
the cavalry stl further and suddenly dverged with the
columns to the right SO as to gain the narrow part OF the
ascent on our right which the enemy discovering, en-
deavored to prevent by moving forward with 900 cav
airy and A pieces OF cannon in their rear masked BY
them Our movements were rapid that we gained the
elevation with forces and the advance OF our wagons
in time to form before they arrived within reach OF our
guns. The enemy halted and we advanced the head OF
our column within 200 yards OF theH so as to let our
wagons attain the high lands and form as before.
| We now commenced the action by a brisk fire from
our battery and the enemy unmasked and commenced
aao our fires proved effective at this distance, killing 10
men, woundDg and disabling of the enemies guns
We had two slightly Wounded and several horses
and mules killed The enemy then slowly rereaed be-
hind their works in some confusion, and res,ilred our
march in former order, still diverging to the
right to avoid their battery left heir nght) and
their strongest redoubts which were on the lett near
rhaat oTalIr
could, without coming within range OF their heavy battery
on right captain WeghtIran of the artillery, was
ordered to charge with the two l2polnd h9wHers to be
supported by the cavalry under Capts Reid, Parsons, and
Hudson. The hoi1itzets charged at speed, and were
gaanty sustained by Capt Reid; butt by some nsunder
standing my order was not gwen to the other two COM
panes, Captain Hudson, anticipating my order, charged
III time to give ample support to the howltzers captain
Parsons, at the same mortent, came to me and asked
diaely 10 the left of Capt Weightman, which he did
very CALAMITY The remainder of the two batallons OF
the st regiment were dsmounted during the cavalry
charge and following rapidly on foot, and Major Clarke
advancing as fast practicable with the remainder of
battety we charged their redeubis from right TO lett
with brisk ard deadly fire of rtlemen, while Major
Clarke opened rapid and t7edifected fire column
of cavalry attempting to pass to our left 70 rs to attack
the wagons and our rear The fire SO well directed
as to force them to fall back and our rlemen, with the
cavalry and howzers, cleared after an obstinate resls-
lance Our forces advanced TO the very brink OF their
redoubs and attacked them with their sabres. When
the redubts were cleared and the batteries in the
and left sieiced the main battery our right
still continued pour in constant and heavy fire, as it
had done during the heat OF the engagement but as the
whole fare of the battle depended upon carrying the re-
doubts and centre battery this the right remained
unattached, and The enemy had rallied there five hundred
strong.
Major Clark was directed to commence a heavy fire
upon it, while Lieuts Col Mitchell and Jackson, COM
manding the lst battalion, ordered to remount and
charge the battery on the LETT, while Major Glpln was
directed 10 pass the I'd battalion on foot the rough as
cent of the mountain the opposite side The fire OF
our battery was SO effective as to completely silence
theirs, and the rapid advance OF our column put them to
flight over the mountains in great confusion -
Capt Thompson, of the LIST Dragons, acted as my aid
and adviser on the field during the whole engagement
and Of the essential service TO me- Also, Lieut.
Wooster, of the United States army, who acted very
cQolly and gallantly Major Campbell, Of Springfield
Missouri also acted as volunteer aid during part OF
the time but left me and joined Captain Reid in his gal
liant charge Thus ended the battle of Sacramento The
force of the enemy was 200 cavalry from Durango and
from Chihuahua 300 arhllerlsts, and l2O rancheros
badly armed with assos lances, and macheoes or corn
knives ten pieces of artillery, nne eight, SIX and
our-pounders, and six culyerlns, or rampant pieces
Their forces commanded by Major Gen; Hendea,
general of Durango, Chihuahua, Sonora and New Mex
co; Brig Gen Jastmani, Brig Gen. Garcia Condo, for
scientific man, and planned this whole field OF defence
Gen Uguerte, and Governor Trias, who acted as Brga
der general the field and colonies and other officers
Our force was o2t effective men, at least one hundred
of whom engaged in holding horses and driving
teams.
The loss of the enemy his entire artillery, 10 wag
ons of beans and pnoIa and other Mexican pro-
visions about three hundred Killed and about the same
number wounded, many of whom have since died, and
forty prisoners.
The field was literally covered with the dead and
wounded from artillery and the unerlng fire OF our
remen. Night put stop to the carnage. the battle hav
ing commenced about three O'Clock. Our loss one
killed, one MORALLY wounded, and seven so wounded
as to recover without any loss Of limbs cannot speak
highly Of the Goodness gallanty, and bravery of the
officers and men under my command.
was ably sustained by the field officers Lieut. Coils
Mitchell and Jackson, of the first battalion, and Major
Gilpin of the ID baalion and Major Clark and his
ery acted noby, and did the most effective service in
every part of the field 1t is abundany shown, IN the
charge made by Captain Wcghtman with the section OF
howzes that they be used in any charge OF cavalry
with great effect Much has been said, and Justly said
OF the gaantry OF our artillery, Numbering within $50
yards of the enemy at Pao Alto; but how much more
daring the charge of Captain Weghtman, when he
numbered within fifty yards of the redoubs OF the
enemy
| On the first day of March took formal possession
of the capital of Chihuahua in the of our govern
ment We ordered by General kearny to report to
General Wool at this place; arrival, we hear
he is Salto, surrounded by the enemy Our present
purpose is either to force way to him. return by
BeXar, term of service expires on the last day OF
| May next.
/ have the honor to be your obedient servant,
A. w DONIPHAN.
Colonel LIST Rgt Mo. Vol.
| Brigader Gen X. JONES' Adjutant General u 5. A.
This last letter of Col Donphan accompanied by
sketch of the battlefield of Sacramento. 1t is out OF
our power have it engraved 1t represents the differ
emf positions Of the enemy, and Of troops, at different
periods of the action. The flank movement which the
IF