The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-10-05
FROM THE ARMY.

The letter from Gen. Pierce, which we give
below, was no, intended for publication, which
is the only way to account for the remarkable
Standardization which be INDUCES in, and
the absence of all notice of Col. Ransom,
Who, at the head of the New England Regi-
ment, after Gen. P. had tainted. we believe,
carried one of theMexicsn batteries by storm.
HEADQUARTERS 1sT BRIGADE,
Sd DIVISION U. 5. A.
MExsoQuE, Mexico Aug. 81, l647.
Since left Vera Cruz 10 this hour. have
bad no means Of communicating with the
States. Although but few months in the
service. knot0 what is fatigue, anxiety and
exposure. Contrary TO my expectations.
g. contrary to my orders from the department
at Washington, / was compelled. for the
want Of the requisite provision for transpor-
| taiiOn to remain for more than three weeks
at Vera Cruz, and more than four in Terra
Caliente, 1.-THE vomlto region as II is Called
| left the dreaded city on the 10Th Of July
with 2600 men Of all arms and a train Of wag-
ons, which when closed up extended more
Than two miles. On the 10th OF August
| reached Puebla, without the loss Of single
wagon, with my command 10 fine condition.
MY command was attacked six times on the
march, but the euemy's force in each instance
was easily dispersed, with trifing loss on our
side. The National Bridge afforded the enc
my great natural advantages, 10 which they
bad added breast-works on high bluff which
commanded the bridge perfectly across the
main bridge they had also thrown bari-
cade. ] soon discovered that there was no
way in which his position could be turned,
and that my artillery was ineffective from
the most commanding point where il
could be placed. / determined. of course, TO
cross under the plunging fire OF The enemy's
escopetas. My order 10 advance was admi-
rably well executed. At the moment Ii Col.
| Bonham's battalion rushed forward with
shout, the enemy poured down heavy FIRE.
BY which several Of my men were severely
wounded. Col. Bonham's horse was shot
near me, and ball passed through the rim
of my hat i'll very dissgreeable proximity TO
my face. Our men leaped the barricade, fol-
lowed by Capt. Duperu's company Of caval-
| nv, and in less than ten minutes, the enemy
were in fight in every direction, and the A
inerican flag waved from the high bluff which
lhey had occupied. The Mexican force, as
they said afterwards, consisted of 500 men.
| Had they possessed courage and skill in the
use of arms, our loss must have been very
great You can hardly conceive the strength
OF the natural defences of the road, over
which we passed. Rumors came to me al
most every nigh. that we would be attacked
by large forces the next day, but they made
nowhere any thing like brave and stern re-
sistance. The official reports Of the great
battle of Mexico will probably reach you as
soon as this letter, and shall therefore not
attempt TO give, the minute details. II was
fierce and bloody beyond anything that has
occurred in this war. The battle differed in
many respects from that of Beuna Vista
! There, Gen, Taylor received the enemy in
strong position, selected by himself. Our force
on the Goth, consisted ofless than nine thou
sand men; the Mexican force within support
ing distance and engaged. undoubtedly ex-
ceeded thirty thousand. We attacked him
in position. upon ground OF his own selection
admirably fortified. You will distinguish, 81
far as numbers are concerned between the
battle ofthe morning and that of The after
noon, although spoken Of ia official reports
as one engagement, under the designation of
''the battle Of Mexico" We took. during The
dty,rhirtv FIVE pieces ofartillery-an immense
quantity of ammuuitou-eigh, hundred
mules and horses, and more than two thou
sand prisoners-among them eight Generals
and any number Of Colonies.
The Mexican loss in killed and wounded
must have been immense. Our troops bur
led 5000 Mexicsns upon the field OF battle
commenced in the morning at Contreras, aud
the loss In the afternoon was much greater.
Our loss has been heavy, With this small
army we could not afford 10 purchase many
such victories at such price; one oil the
regiments Of my brigade (the 13lh) lost in
killed and wounded one-ibird OF its sntie
force. In killed and wounded we humber
not less than 1000, and among them lament
TO say an unusual proportion OF valuable
officers. The New England regiment suf'
fered severely, and behaved tnroughoutin the
most gallant manner. My horse: atfull speed
on the evening of the 19ih. when leading my
brigade through perfect shower of round
shot and shells. fell under me upon ledge Of
rocks, by which | sustained severe injury
by The shock and bruises, but especially by a
severe sprain in my left knee which Came
under him.