The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-09-12

command,s composed Of Capt. Hae's company 4th In
Lieut.. Wyche and Capt. Farchilds company Of Loui-
SLAMS Rangers in all officers and two hundred and
rank and Ale The train was composed Of two am
bulances each drawn by four good At for the
vice In which they were employed, and nine wagons
mules with which it would have been difficult for me to
have fulfilled my orders If there had been enemy
to contend with The commanding officer was not
mounted and under the notifying necessity OF dis
mounting dragon and taking horse when circum-
stances such that he could not possibly perform his
duty on foot. Such was the command with which my
orders required me to traverse country and pass
bridge and Fertilization which less than eight hun
tempted fshnd not proceeded four miles from camp,
when 1t became necessary to throw out part Of my
provisions and it was then only with the aid of my in
and efficient wagon master (Mr Booley) who accompa
MED the train that the wagons could be forced the
sand hills | reached Santa Fe and encamped for
the night. The next morning pursued the march,
the enemy appearing on the flank, but evidently with
no intention Of attacking us. A few shots were X
changed between them and Captain Fairchd's COM
pany who had left the road to give chase arrived at
Juento del Rio about nine O'Clock at night and encamp-
ed Here judged myself to be within six miles Of Major
Lallys camp. The next morning | directed Captain
Fairchid to detach officer Lieut.. Henderson, and
thirteen men. with orders to proceed to Major Lay's
camp and report my advance provided he could pru-
IDENTIFY do So and the distance did not exceed six miles,
but by no means to beyond that distance, but to
report the condition of the road to me This
command was accompanied by DR. Cooper of the army
and two Of the Georgia volunteers regret to inform
you that have not heard of this detachment and
am ignorant OF its fate pursued the march until about
ten O'Clock with difficulty getting the mules along, and
at Pass La Bea, whilst the train the BRIDGE and
the troops were getting water the enemy appeared in
force In front, on the hill and commenced IRE upon u.s.
some shots also fired from the rear After the
necessary preparations made, detached Capt
Halle with his company through the chaparral to gain
the flank and If possible their rear This service was
promptly and calamity performed whilst the command
was ascending the hill lie gave them a fire. which
put them to immediate flight | ordered Lieut. Nor
rele, OF Captain Farchilds company with twenty men
mounted to hold the horses the bridge until the
train had assembled the hill The rear, however,
our march, dispensing the enemy before us,
til dark when, the train passing
bridge within three miles OF Puente Nacona, the
enemy opened his fire from the hills within two hundred
yards OF the command the balls generally ranging too
high the fire was so promptly returned that they were
soon driven from their position, and, think with con-
siderable loss Here, as had previously intended, or
dered the troops to encamp The wagons were placed
In safe position, the white covers taken of the horses
placed under shelter every thing disposed for quiet
nights rest, which my much required AT three
O'Clock next morning had the men under arms and de-
tached Lieut. Wyche with part Of his company through
the chaparral to gain position the hill side to be
ready when the enemy should advance to the attack.
Just at day break they appeared the HILL with drum
beating and firing int camp. did return their
fire. Dut ordered Capt Halle with his company to pass
They continued their music for about twenty minutes
when Capt Halle suddenly fired upon them and af
ter them with the bayonet much to the amusement Of
our troops who could them from the opposite side OF
the bridge. Lieut. Wyche had gained his position, and
lying in wait but they did not approach sufficiently
held the hill with my infantry till the train was
ready to move. was now within about three miles Of
Puente Nacional. The enemy had attacked three
times force and was always routed without the
our part OF a man The only loss sustained
horse wounded and three muskets rendered unservcea
Bile by musket balls 1t was reported to me this
mule teams could proceed farther; | COM
pelod in consequences TO destroy my tents and leave
one wagon. The other mule teams 1 had no hope Of
getting much beyond Pucnte Nacional and had deter
mined that IL did not find Major Lally there, To
destroy all wagons and property and with four days
provisions in the haversacks and the mail and ammun
ton and some light baggage In the ambuances to join
him by forced marches Every thing being in readiness
commenced the march about halfpast nine In the
morning Before this time fully satisfied that the
enemy occupied Puente Nacional in force The tracks
Of unshod horses in the road left doubt Of that My
orders positive; discretion allowed me;
and according TO my ideas OF military service felt
bound to proceed In the execution of the order until IL
proved without the possibility Of doubt that it
could not be carried out My force too small
tach any part Of 1t to endeavor TO the position
The Mexicans were appearing my flank, and threat
ened my rear To reconnoitre useless nothing
could be therefore determined to draw the enc
mys fire from the forts and heights and thus discover
his strength and position. accordingly made my dis.
positions sacrifice the possible number OF
my troops With thirty picked men under the COM
mand OF Lieut. Cheney 14th Infantry extended to six
PAGES, descended towards the bridge This detach-
men was ordered to keep at least hundred yards
front OF the mounted men. After the mounted men,
with some interval, marched Lieutenant wyohe' s
company; next came the train, followed by Captain
Hale's company who was ordered to close on and
protect It, in case It should be charged The rear
guard, commanded by Lieutenant Marrelle of Cap
tain Farchilds company, followed after Captain
slope OF the hill, continuing to advance myself,
with Lieutenant Cheneys command, hoping to
draw the enemy's fire. without further exposing my
troops All was however stil-nothing could be seen
directed the advance to upon the brdge--order
ed up the main body, and took my position in person
near the bridge where could direct the advance or or
der retrest as the might prove practicable the
other necessary The Of the command had
~ got In motion when the enemy opened their fire from
the forts and heights with escopetes and arti
ery and showed themselves In such numbers and posi-
ton that perceived at that in passing the bridge
m
cd and uaded that 1t would be impractcable for me