The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-13

AL the secondly OF ot
General n-chief ordered halt Of the united forces
after consulting with Major General Pillow and Bngadler
General Shields Colonel Harvey coming up at this IN
with squadrons of cavalry, was permitted to
make dash at the rear of the enemys retiring forces
In the eager pursuit. the head OF the column pressing on
too closely and disegardng, or not hearing their com
manders recall under fire OF the battery, and SUI
ered severely The ground on which the troops opera
ted off the hghroad, is remarkably interseced; loose
SOIL growing grain, and, at bret intervals deep bitches
for the purpose OF drainage and irrigation These bitches
vary from six to eight feet in DEPTH about the same in
width, with from three to four feet of water-he
banks lined with the enemys light troops.
When to the nature OF the ground and the fact that
the division $500 strong OF all arms) was engaged from
two to and half hours in hand to-hand conflict
with from 1000 to 5000 of the enemy having the advan-
age OF position, and occupying regular works-which our
engineers will say most skfully construcledthe
mind is filled with wonder, and the heart with gratitude
10 the brave officers and soldiers whose steady and in
domitabe valor has, under such circumstances, aided in
achieving results honorable to our counryresults
not accomplished, however, without the sacrifice OF
many valuable lives The little professional skill the
commander may have possessed intensely eXerted to
spare the men; and yet with the utmost care we have
to mourn the loss, in killed and wounded, OF thirteen
officers and three hundred and thirty six rank and file
Our country will lament the fate and honor the memory
OF these brave men list of captured ordnance has
already been handed IN al so OF prisoners IRON gene
but iew although receiving the surrender of many to
disarm and pass them was. deemed sufficient Among
them however, secured twenty deserers rom
our army arrayed in the most tawdry Mexican
uniforms These wretches served the guns-the OF
which they had been taught in our own servlce-and
with fatal effect upon the persons of their former COM
rades And now, in closing this report, hastily and in
conveniently prepared the pleasing and yet diff.
cult task of bringing particularly to the notice OF
the General-in chief and government the behavior OF
the officers and men under my command Every officer
of every grade and every soldier, from chief of brigade
through rank and file to the humbles have bravey and
noby done their duty; and the decacy is felt in full
force of distinguishing, even by separation OF one from
the other; and yet those in whose path Fortune threw
her special favors entitled to the benefit
AS least excepionable, corps will be referred to in
order of formation, and persons in connexon with their
corps
LIST. Brevc Lieut. Col Duncan commanded and direct
ed the light artillery with the zeal and gaanry, Judg,
ment and effect which have often distinguished and
presented him to the notice OF his Genera-nchef and
the government.
I'd Brevet lieut. Col. Smith commanded and directed
his light battalion with characteristic gaantry and
ability.
3D. Brevet Col Garland lieutenant colonel 4h in
anty) commanded the ls brigade. conspicuous in many
fields in the present war in this last great combat by
skill conduct and courage, he has greatly added to an
already established reputation for patriotism and soldier
ship. OF his brigade, Major Gait commanded and gal
anty led the I'd artillery, (acting as nantryD Lieut.
Col Bolton, the Sd artillery (also acting as ln1antry0
and Major Lee, the 4th infantry. The chief OF the
brigade speaks In terms OF commentator OF each OF
these commanders.
A list of officers engaged, as also of commissioned
officers and privaes in each regiment, will be found IN
the reglmenal reports, to which reference Is respectfully
made
4th Col Clarke commanded the I'd brigade-a veteran
of the of 1872 and heretofore distinguished by zeal
and intelligence IN this warwas while CALAMITY Leading
his brigade into battle, struck from his saddle and dis
abed for several hours; whereupon the command de-
voved upon Brevet Col Mcintosh, lieutenant colonel 9Th
nfantry) who led on with the prestige OF many we'll
fought fields and acquitted himself always, with high
courage and devotion. The command of the 9th inan
try devoyed in turn upon BTevet Lieut. Col Scott. and
soldier he most gaanty led the regiment to its assigned
work. and, in doing, come 10 the close support and
Joint action with the corps to whose lot fell to carry
yylfh he IA hp
infantry, portion of which under the gallant lead of
Captain Hoffman, did all that it was in the power OF men
to do carry the ee de pon by direct attack the main
road, while the other wing under Major Bonneville,
was in close conflict with the enemy the right of the
road. The sth infantry, although from its position
coming up last by the zeal and energy OF its commander
Major Waite and by the circumstances OF the ground,
which mpeded the advance OF other and proxmate corps
found itself in position to render most gallant and ef-
ective service The companies OF Captains James Bonn
ford and larkin Smith, under the direction OF Brevet
Major Wright, preceded by Aduan Longstreet, colors
in hand, were led on most bTavey the assault OF the
ete de pont crossing the ditch under heavy fire of mus
kerry they mounted the rampant, and finished the work
with the bayonet, closely supported by the 9TH and de-
lachmens Of other corps. The regmenta reports of this
brigade are also respectfully referred TO- The medical
corps, consisting of Surgeons Satterlee (senor) and
Wright, Assistant Surgeons Simpson, DeLeon, Simons,
Holden Roberts, and Deyere, presents claims to especial
thanks and admratonever among the most fearless and
indifferent to hazard during the conflict II is after the bat
e when others seek repose that they are found skifu
ly and noiseessy fulfilling the duties of their high
ton administering comfort to the crushed and sorrow
full soldier.
The following named officers and non-commissioned
officers conspicuousy presented by commanders
Staff lst Brigade--Brevet Capt Nichols A. "A. A. Gen
Lieut.. Thorn Abide camp: I'd Brigade-Lieuts. Bur-
well, Ad-de-camp; Lieut.. kirkham, A. A. A. Gen.
Light Battery-Lieus. Hunt Hays Clark, and Sergeant
Plat: Light Neutrality-suspicious. Elzey Peck, and Simp-
son, I'd artillery 1st Sergeant Henry Wilson, company
A. and Sergeant Nickel, company K, Cd artillery Capt
E. X Smith Lieut.. Faney Segeants UpdegraG Archer,
and Flynn, company H 5h infantry-Capt. Reeve,
Lieuts Holloway and Pitcher sth infantry 2d Artillery
-Caps McKensie and Brooks; Leuts. Shackelford
and Daniels Sd Artilery-Capt Burke, Brevet Capt.
Ayers, and Sergeant Heck 4M Intantry-Lieut Adj.
Prince, and Brevet Major Buchanan: 5nh Intantry-
and Adiutant Lugenbeel Sergeants Golding, Dudley.
Johnson, Chitman, and OBren: 6M IJantry-Capts:
Hoffman and Walkers Leus. Armsead, Buckner, and
Adjutant Ernst, Sergeant Major Thompson, Battalion
Sergeant Major Ovens Color Sergeant Mccain, Sergeans
Slaniker, Williams, Mcintyre, Cressy, and Downs: 18th
Infantry -Brevet Major Wright, Capts. Bomford and
Smith, Adjutant Longsree and Lieut.. Selden the latter
and behind the foremost in zeal and here)
color bearer Sergeant Major Pink, Sergeant Ford, and
Sergeant Edward Berram. Injustice would be done to
the whole division in failing TO bring to the notice OF
the Genera-n- chief the praiseworthy-h he will
pardon the expression-the courageous conduct OF
the Rev Mr. McCarty, chaplain to the I'd brigade That
excellent and Christian IN the midst OF the
stricken and patrioticay encouraging the soldier in his
forward path Of duty.
The division commander cannot foego the opportunity
presented acknowledge his obligations and express his
admiration of the gallant bearing OF Major Gen. Pillow
and Brig Gems. Shields, Cadwalader and Pierce, with
whom he had the qualification of concert and opera
ton at various critical periods OF the conflict And may